You know your roof needs some attention. However, you aren’t a roofing professional. You can’t tell if the roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Roof replacement is very expensive, even on small, simple roofs. That makes repair the more affordable option. However, sometimes, the roof is beyond repair.
What are some signs that your roof needs to be repaired? Here are seven of them to get you started.
#1 Leaking Inside the Home
Do you have water leaking into your home? Is it coming in through the roof? Roof leaks often start at slow drips that evaporate in the attic. However, with time, the leak grows, and the water finds its way down through the ceilings and walls. You may have brown stains on the ceiling or wall. You might have water dripping down the walls or through the light fixture. There may even be standing water on the floor or peeling paint on the outside of your home.
Many roof leaks require simple repairs, like replacing broken shingles, repairing flashing, or sealing cracks. However, if your roof keeps developing leak points, it may need to be completely replaced to solve the problem.
#2 The Age of the Roof
Do you know how old your roof is? Many roofing materials degrade over time. They eventually need to be replaced. The material and the roof’s age can tell you if the roof needs to be replaced in the near future.
An asphalt shingle roof can last 20 years or more, especially higher-quality newer variants. As the shingles age, they begin to curl and buckle, often resulting in small leaks. These leaks can be repaired but will continue to develop as the roof ages.
Wood shingles can last for 15 to 30 years, depending on the type of wood and the quality used. These wood shingles dry out and crack over time. This can cause leaks.
Some roofs can last for several decades. These include slate, clay, concrete tile, and metal roofs. If you live in a historic home with a long-lasting roof, it’s a good idea to get it inspected every few years to keep it in good shape.
If your roof is old and starting to leak a lot, you want to replace it rather than keep making repairs every year.
#3 Missing or Damaged Shingles
Each shingle on your roof is a part of the larger system. A damaged or missing shingle can allow water to get under the shingles and start to damage the roof deck. If left as is, eventually, the deck will rot and let water inside.
If the missing or damaged shingles are in one isolated area, roof repair Vancouver is often the best choice. The roofer can replace the shingles, which prevents water from causing damage. However, if more than 30% of the roof has damaged or missing shingles, the better option may be a replacement.
#4 Recent Weather Event
Has your home recently been through a hail storm? Have you had a tornado come close? Some severe weather events can cause a lot of hidden damage to the roof. Hail can crack and dent shingles. High winds can pull shingles up, making them split and fall off.
If your home has been through a recent severe weather event, have a roofer come out to inspect the roof. An expert’s eyes can spot any damage present. At that point, the roofer will recommend either making localized repairs or replacing the entire roof.
This type of damage is often covered by insurance. A roofer’s expert opinion can help get your claim accepted by the insurance company.
#5 Shingle Granules in the Gutter
When you are cleaning out the gutters, you may find some hard granules sitting at the bottom. These granules come off asphalt shingles. You will see some granules right after installing a new roof. However, if your roof is more than a few years old, you shouldn’t see granules very often.
If you find a good mass of shingle granules in your gutter, it’s a sign that your roof is getting old or that it has sustained a lot of damage. In either case, get a roofer to take a look. The pro may recommend making repairs in certain areas or replacing the roof entirely.
#6 Roof Deck is Sagging
Is part of your roof sagging? That’s a sign the roof deck is rotting in one or more places.
The roof deck is the plywood that provides a flat, solid place on which roofers attach shingles. It’s protected by the roof shingles and the underlying tar paper. If water is getting down to the roof deck, there’s a substantial leak somewhere.
A sagging roof deck is not an automatic sign that the roof needs to be replaced. If the damage is in a localized area, the roofer can remove the damaged decking, replace it with good plywood, then replace the roofing shingles above it. In the end, you will have a roof that looks and functions close to new.
If, however, the damage to the roof deck is extensive, the roofer will likely recommend a complete roof replacement.
#7 Sunshine Coming in the Attic
Get up into your attic and look at the underside of the roof. Do you see any places where the sun is shining through the roof? Unless it’s through a skylight, you shouldn’t see any light coming in. If you have light coming in, you have a place where water is coming in as well.
At the first sign of light coming through the roof, you need to call a roofer immediately. The roofer can identify why there’s a hole in the roof and whether it can be repaired. In most cases, it’s likely a bit of loose flashing or a missing shingle that needs a simple roof repair. In some cases, however, it’s a sign of extensive damage that might require a complete roof replacement.
Each of the situations requires immediate attention from a roofing professional. The roofer will inspect the roof and make recommendations for repairs. In some cases, the recommendation may be for a total roof replacement. It all depends on the condition of the roof and any damage already present.
