As good as the roof you bought is, it will at some point need to be replaced. As roofs are very expensive, you want to make sure you get as much life out of it as possible and repair it rather than replace it. How though you know when to do which? In the following guide we’re going to look at several of the biggest signs that indicate you have serious issues with your roof.
There Are Noticeable Leaks
Leaks is a broad-spectrum term that can refer to both small and large variations. With small leaks, the damage is often rather subtle and not especially significant, if you deal with it quick enough. The problem with leaks in your roof is that they are hard to spot before it’s too late. Essentially, you need to look for any areas in your property where there is water damage or simply water that you wouldn’t expect there. Other key signs that you have issues include mold, rotting wood and water stains.
Roof Age and Amount of Damage
Two of the biggest factors that can make all the difference between whether you need to make some small repairs or completely replace the roof are the age of the roof and how damaged it is. If your roof was only installed recently, and the damage is small and in an isolated area, for instance, repairs will probably solve the problem. However, if the roof is old and the damage is more prominent and extensive, a replacement roof might be required.
Daylight Shining Through or Moisture in Loft Space
If, when you are in the loft space of your property or the room closest to the roof, there is daylight shining through the roof, it may be a sign that there are cracks or some other structural problem. The same is true if there is a lot more moisture in the room than usual. Again. It really depends how serious and significant the damage is, as well as the age of the roof, as to whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. Hire a professional roofing company to assess the damage, if you are unsure what is best.
Shingles Are Either Missing, Misaligned or Misshapen
Over time, your roof shingles will start to break down and deteriorate. This is normal and can happen in a variety of ways. Often the edges will start to curl or claw downwards and there will be a bulge to the center. This suggests they have lost much of their durability and are more susceptible to being lifted by prevailing winds. When shingles are broken or cracked, they don’t tend to wick water away easily, which leads to water damage.
Other issues that can affect your shingles are that they start to buckle along the roofline. When shingles are in this condition, they can be torn off easily in a strong enough wind. Shingles that are not aligned properly will be easy to spot as they will look like they have popped up and this will affect the ventilating properties of the roof.
In any of the above scenarios, it’s often a judgement call, based on the extent of the damage and how old the roof is.