Early Signs you May Need to Replace your Roof

It’s hard to know when you might need a roof replacement because, at the end of the day, a roof isn’t something that you might think to check every single day. With that said, you do need to make sure that you are checking it regularly because if you don’t then you may miss out on some crucial signs of damage. If you want to stop this from happening or if you want to get the best result out of your roof, then all you have to do is take a look below.

Water Damage

It’s easy to mistake water damage if you’re not careful. If you find wet patches on the roof or if you notice water,   then you may think that you are suffering from damp. Watermarks and even mildew can sometimes be chalked up to water coming in from the window the last time it rained. With that being said, you shouldn’t be so sure of this. Although your assumptions may be true, you do have to remember that signs like this can also indicate that you need a roof replacement, or that you need to at least make some repairs. Even the tiniest watermarks can mean that water has somehow managed to seep in through your roof, or even that your roof has a crack in it. All in all, when you do first notice that your roof has water damage, you shouldn’t wait around. You need to take action on this, and you also need to make sure that you call a professional. They can then check your roof over for you while making the repairs you need.

Mould and Moss

Something else you should probably check for would be moss and mold growth. If you know that mold and moss have grown on the outside of your roof, tiles can push themselves apart. This creates a gap where water can be let in. Check your roof and look for tiles that might be showing signs of rot, moss, or mildew. Be sure to deal with them as soon as possible because if you don’t, you may find that you end up experiencing even more issues at a later date. A roof replacement may be required if you leave the damages to get worse over time, so be sure to keep this in mind if you can.

Light Coming through the Roof

Make a habit of turning out the lights on the upper floors of your home, and also take the time to look at your roof once in a while. The best time to do this would be around sunset, as this is when it will be dark enough inside, yet light enough outside. Light coming through your roof may mean you have splits, cracks or holes in your roof. You should do your best to tend to issues like this as soon as you can.  Be sure to check your roof to see if a repair is going to fix the damage or if you think that a full replacement is going to be required. Of course, you can always have a roofer come and do this for you, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Loose Roof Tiles

During your annual roof check, check to see if any of your roof tiles are loose. Stepping on them and checking the slate is a good way for you to check to see if there are any that need replacing. If you spot more than a couple of missing slates or tiles then you may want to replace your roof. A weakened roof with missing tiles may end up caving in, so you need to act quickly to avoid issues like this from happening. If you have a metal roof then you don’t need to worry about loose tiles, but you do need to still take note of any holes or leaks. If you do have issues like this then booking in for a new metal roofing installation could be the way to go. 

Sagging

The peak of your roof should be straight, all the way across the ridge. If you notice that there is a saddleback or if you see a sag in the middle then this could be a warning sign that you have structural damage. It may be that your roof ends up collapsing if you are not careful, and don’t get this treated early. Roofing sagging can be caused by continuous exposure to moisture and water, and it can also be down to faulty roofing materials. Improper installation is another huge pitfall, so try and avoid this if you can. You should also assess how much weight your roof can tolerate. If you feel as though something might be wrong then get in touch with a local roofing expert, as they can give you all of the support you need.

Damaged Flashing

Another big sign you need to look out for would be damaged flashing. Flashing is the material that is placed around objects that come up from your roof, such as your chimney and your roofing vent. Flashing is designed to stop the movement of water into your roof, and it does this by averting the water away from the seams. This is usually where the runoff of water is greater. Galvanized steel is one of the most popular options here, so it has to be maintained. Your flashing might be damaged because the caulk has dried out or it may be down to oxidation or even the weather. Having loose flashing may cause water to seep inside your walls and it may also end up causing extensive damage, including mold or mildew growth. Rotten wood can also be an issue, causing damage to your roofing structure. If you want to do something about this then you need to take the time to assess the issue and deal with it at your earliest convenience.

Damaged Gutters

You also need to look out for damaged gutters. Check your gutters for asphalt shingles or even sand-like granules if you can. This kind of material protects your tiles, if you have granules that are falling from your tiles and into your gutters then this could be a sign that your shingles are deteriorating and that you need to do something about it. A couple of granules might not be cause for concern, but if you notice quite a large amount of them then this is a big sign that you need to do something about that. It’s also worth trying to look at the protective coating of your roof. This tends to slough off when there are a lot of atmospheric changes, and during constant exposure to weather too. You should aim to try and repair tiles and replace the coating of them as often as possible, so you can prevent issues like this. Branches or leaves falling from trees near your home can also cause the coating to weaken, so try and be mindful of things like this. Inspecting your roof in broad daylight is usually the way to go, and if you see deformed, curled areas or even distorted tiles then this is a big sign that you need to make a roof repair. If you don’t then you may put your home at risk over something that could have been fixed a long time ago.

Leaking Attic

If you notice that there is water inside your home, then you should probably inspect your roof. Damp streaks and other leaks may show penetration. You may notice that there is water dripping inside your walls, or you may even notice that there is blistering. If this is the case, then you may have a complicated roofline, or you may have a roof that needs replacing. If this is the case then dealing with the issue now is imperative because if you don’t then you run the risk of complications.

Aging Roof

There are so many materials that you can use when building a roof, and the most common type would be tiles and shingles. With that said, you do need to make sure that you take note of how many roofing materials you have and how long they have been there. It may be that they need replacing because if you don’t then they could end up causing wear to other parts of your roof. If your roof is over 15 years old then this can indicate that you need to get it looked at because if you don’t then this could mean that you have damages that you aren’t aware of. 

So as you can see, you need to make sure that you replace your roof if you notice any of the above issues. If you don’t then you run the risk of further damages when, in reality, all of this could have been avoided. Talk with a roofing expert today to try and get the help you need.