Having a great roof on your house is not only aesthetically pleasing and structurally important but ensures the overall safety of your home. However, it is not a one-time setup operation, it needs to be maintained and kept in great condition, because it definitely will start to wear out as time goes by, with its constant exposure. Now, it’s not like you have to do repairs on a monthly basis, but it’s good to have somewhat of a grasp on what a well-kept roof is supposed to look like, so you can nip any problems in the bud when they appear. That’s why we’ll be talking about the most obvious clues that your roof is due to be repaired or even replaced, depending on the severity of the problem.
Stains On the Roof
Difficult not to notice, if stains have appeared on your roof, it means that there is water leaking into it. This issue not only damages the roofing material but if left unsolved for a period of time, the leakage can seep into the attic and create additional problems like mold or damaged insulation. If these stains appear, you should probably have them checked out by a professional to see if the installation is done correctly. It’s not necessarily the cause, but if the leaking persists, it’s surely worth looking into, and eventually repaired or replaced.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Over time, your roof is exposed to different elements, wind, snow, rain, and the sun, and that will cause some of the structure and materials to wear out. You will start noticing cracks, curling, or whole shingles missing, and there can also be signs of debris in the gutter. It is of great importance to notice this issue early on and start working on repairing it, otherwise, it can lead to greater structural issues. Luckily, it is one of the most obvious and noticeable problems that can appear on your rooftop. If the deterioration is widespread, you may eventually need to replace the roof in order to effectively protect your house from all the outside factors and elements.
image © Congerdesign
Sagging Roof Lines
Is your house starting to look like one of those cartoon houses with slanting roofs? Well don’t laugh just yet, this problem is not a joke. If the roof lines on your house are visibly slanting, it may present a great danger to your households’ safety. It is caused by structural damage or failure, and can eventually lead to the whole thing collapsing. It can also manifest after there has been water damage arising from a roof leak and can cause a mold problem, leading to various serious health risks you should really work hard to avoid. So, at the first sign of a sagging roof, don’t hesitate – call for a roof replacement professional, you might just need a new one. Look for reputable local companies with good reviews, like the folks here on masterproroof.com in Iowa, and have them check your roof as soon as possible. They will do a wonderful job on your roof, quickly and for an affordable price.
Leaks on The Inside and The Outside of The House
Another pretty obvious sign that it may be time for you to get a new roof is visible leakage occurring on the exterior and the interior of the house. You should try and clean the gutters, check if your roof has any visibly mislocated shingles, or glance through the attic to see if there are holes in the roof. If you’ve gone through all this, everything seems okay and the problem persists, you may need to think about replacing the whole roof. Leaks spreading on the inside walls from the ceiling may lead to the occurrence of mold, damage spreading from the roof to the whole structure and even your ceiling caving in. So, make it a top priority to solve this issue, if possible, with small fixes and if not, by calling in a crew to redo the whole thing from the start.
All of the problems mentioned here are to be taken seriously and solved as soon as possible. On the other hand, even if there are no visible deteriorations, think about how old your roof is. If it has been over 20-30 years since it’s been installed, a replacement may already be due even if everything seems fine, because that is the average ‘lifespan’ of most roofs. Yes it may be pricey and a huge bother for a couple of days, but in the end, you and your family should always feel perfectly safe in your home, so you bet it’s worth every penny.
