Unsure if your roof is normal or in need of a repair? This is a common problem for homeowners everywhere simply because you can see your roof as the rest of your house. The only way to know for sure what’s wrong is to call a roofing company, but what if it’s nothing?
If you would like 5 of the most common signs that you need a roof repair, read more here to find out.
1. Your Roof Is Leaking
If you have noticed wet marks across your ceiling or notice water dripping from them, you probably have a leak. Not only is it annoying to place buckets under your roof each time it rains, but leaks can also cause actual damage to both you and your house?
Leaky roofs can cause the board holding up your house to rot over time. This is because they become saturated with water and never get a chance to dry.
Another issue often created by leaky roofs is mold. When your ceiling cannot dry, mold will quickly form in all the wet spots. This may not seem like a big deal, but mold is known for being extremely toxic and damaging to one’s health.
This is especially true for those with lung issues such as asthma or cancer.
If you notice water dripping from your ceiling, call a professional roofer soon as possible.
They will be able to assess the damage and fix the issue. If the damage is bad enough or you have wet spots in more than one location, they will probably recommend a roof replacement as soon as possible.
2. Your Roof Is Expired
Believe it or not, your roof expires just like that gallon of milk in your fridge. Lucky for you, your roof will last longer than most grocery items and will not require you to purchase a new one often.
The lifespan of your roof will depend on what kind of roof you have (metal, concrete, slate, etc.). If you don’t know what your roof is made of, that’s ok; Most roofs last at least 15 years. If yours is older than this, you should go ahead and get it checked for repairs.
If you know what kind of roof you have, you can get a more accurate idea of how long it should last. Here are some of the most common types of roofs and how long they last:
- Slate Roofing- 50+ years
- Clay Roofing- 50+ years
- Asphalt Roofing- 15-30 years
- Architectural Shingle Roofing- 15-25 years
- Metal Roofing- 20-25 years
- Wood Roofing- 30 years
If treated correctly, you will only need to replace/repair the roof a few times during your life.
3. You Want to Sell Your Home
Most homeowners are not willing to purchase a home with a bad roof. Because of this, it is recommended that you get your roof checked and repaired before you put it on the market.
You can do this by simply calling a roofing company and scheduling a roof inspection. If the professional roofer notices anything wrong with your roof, they will inform you of the issue and begin fixing it.
If your house and roof are older, you definitely want to get it all checked out. A new and improved roof will boost the value of your home tremendously and make it much easier to sell. It is definitely worth the money.
4. You Experienced Hail Damage
If you have recently experienced severe weather or hail, your roof more than likely needs to be repaired. When it hails, your roof objects are extremely vulnerable. This means it can experience a lot of damage, such as a split in your shingle, dents, and a loss of shingle granules.
If not properly repaired, all of these issues can cause problems in the future, such as leaks and further shingle damage. Because of this, it is best to go ahead and get your roof inspected and repaired after any intense hail storms.
If you live in an area that has a designated tornado season, it is recommended that you schedule a roof inspection before and after this period. This will ensure your roof is sturdy enough to protect itself during the storms and free of damage after them.
It’s better to be proactive when it comes to the condition of your roof instead of waiting for the issues to intensify and end up costing you more.
5. You Are Missing Shingles
A lot of factors can cause you to lose a few shingles on your roof. Some of them include age, hail, wind, and poor installation. Because of this, it is perfectly normal for you to lose a few shingles over the years.
With that being said, you need to replace them a soon as possible. This is because the shingle on your roof protects the waterproof barrier underneath it from sun damage. When your roof’s shingles are missing, the barrier and other important parts of your roof will begin to deteriorate.
This can cause leaks, mold, and other issues in the not-so-distant future.
Your shingles also protect the layers underneath them from hail, wind, dirt, debris, and other environmental factors. Basically, your shingles are there to protect, and when they are missing, a lot can go wrong.
When you first notice your shingles are missing, call a roofing company and ask them to give you an estimate of how much it will cost to replace them. They will then change them out, and your roof will be as good as new.
Conclusion
Repairing or replacing your roof is a difficult thing to do and it can drain you both mentally and financially. That’s why it is important to hire a company which is professional in all segments of the job. Of course, this is once or twice in a lifetime project and you want to make sure it goes right!
