A roof is one of the most important structural components of your home. Keeping up with its maintenance is essential to ensuring that your home and family are protected from water damage.
You can easily determine whether your roof needs replacing by performing a visual inspection. Look for the following signs that your roof is nearing its end of life:
Missing Shingles
Missing shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof needs replacing. It is important to visually inspect your roof after every major weather event to look for missing shingles. If you find a few, you can contact your local roofing professional for a repair job. However, if you see large sections of your roof with empty spaces, it is time to call in the professionals for an entire roof replacement.
Missing roof shingles can allow water to penetrate your home’s protective layers and cause structural damage to ceilings, walls, and support beams. This can lead to costly repairs and potential health and safety issues.
You can usually tell when a shingle is missing by looking for black or dark areas on your roof. These are the spots where the granules that protect your roof’s asphalt surface are exposed. The granules are darker in color than the surrounding shingles because they are worn away by weather elements.
In addition to being an eyesore, gaps in your roof can create entry points for insects and rodents. These pests can further damage your home’s structure and cause additional health issues for you and your family. Additionally, holes in your roof can increase your energy costs because the shingles are no longer regulating your home’s temperature. The best way to prevent these problems is by scheduling regular roof inspections and getting your roof replaced when it starts showing wear and tear.
Cracked Flashing
The flashing around roof objects like chimneys, vents, and skylights seals seams on your roof and helps protect against water damage. It’s important to examine these areas for cracks or breaks. If your flashing is made of tar or cement, it’s prone to deterioration and should be replaced with metal flashing, which will last longer. If you have older roofs with these types of flashing, a roofing contractor can replace them with more durable metal to ensure long-lasting protection.
The valleys of your roof, the area where two sloped sections meet, are also prone to leaks. Examine these areas for water stains, mold and moss. These are signs that your roof is leaking and may be in need of replacement or at least repairs.
Another sign it’s time to replace your roof is if shingles are shedding their granules. The granules are small pieces of asphalt that coat the shingle and provide fire resistance, color, and UV ray protection. As shingles age, they start to shed granules, and you’ll often find them in gutters or on the ground around downspouts.
In addition to examining your roof visually, you can also inspect it from the safety of your attic or crawlspace. It’s much easier to spot problems from underneath than it is to walk on a roof, and this step can help you avoid more costly repairs in the future.
Sagging or Drooping Roof
A sagging or drooping roof is not only unsightly but it may also be a sign of structural problems in the home. It’s essential to have any sagging or drooping of your roofline assessed by an expert as soon as possible.
Sagging or drooping of your roofing system isn’t normal and is often a sign that it’s time to replace the roof. It can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a bowed ridgeline, uneven or unsupported beams, and unequal tension between plywood sheets.
Another common cause of a sagging roof is the buildup of moisture inside the roof. Moisture infiltration can damage the shingles, support structures, and framing lumber. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as rot.
If left unattended, a sagging roof will worsen over time and can put the safety of those in the home at risk. If there is an excessive amount of snow or other debris causing the sagging, it needs to be safely removed before the structural damage becomes even more severe.
However, if the sagging is caused by weakened or damaged rafters or trusses, it isn’t a good idea to try and repair the issue on your own. If you don’t address the underlying problem, it could end up in collapsed ceilings or collapsed walls in the future.
Granules Falling Off
If you notice large amounts of shingle granules in your gutters or around the edges of your house, it’s a sign that your roof is beginning to wear out. Granules are small particles that give shingles their color and texture, so when they begin to shed, they can leave your roof looking dull or worn out. This typically happens due to weathering and age, but it can also be a result of physical damage to the shingles themselves.
While a few granules lost during severe storms are normal, significant shedding can be an indicator that it’s time for a roof replacement. This is because granules deliver weatherproof protection to the roof and it will be more vulnerable without them.
The granules on your roof are what protect the asphalt coating, so when they start to fall off, it exposes the underlying asphalt layer. This can lead to deterioration and increased vulnerability to water leaks, mold, and other problems. A professional roofer can inspect the condition of your roof and recommend the best course of action. If your roof has reached the end of its lifespan, a new roof replacement can be a wise investment to avoid more costly repairs down the line. For the best results, work with a roofing contractor that uses quality materials and trusted installation techniques to extend your roof’s lifespan.