Homeownership is costly. You don’t only have to think about the monthly mortgage payment and taxes consider the amount of cash that goes into repairing issues that sprout up. One common issue amongst homeowners is whether to replace an entire roof or if you can repair the existing roof. A roof is one of those places also that until the damage is visually evident you don’t know it has occurred. Below you will find common signs that your roof has been damaged and helpful advice to determine if you can get by with a repair or if it is time to seek out a professional roofing contractor.
The first issue is visual buckling. This issue occurs when the roof has not been properly installed or ventilated correctly. Another reason this occurs is when the roofing shingles have been applied to the new roof without removing older shingles first. When buckling occurs to your roof in several places it is more than likely in need of replacing. When the buckling occurs in only one spot it can be repaired.
Another common sign of roof damage is a tad more obvious. If you find shingles in your yard you have a problem. If there is an excessive amount of loose shingles you should contact a professional immediately to come out and fix the roof. If not caught and taken care of early in the game you will need a whole new roof.
This happened to us when we purchased our home. We noticed a spot in the ceiling in my sons room sagging. We thought some damage had occurred and we would just replace that spot of drywall. The fix was of course not that simple. The leak was actually coming from a spot where the roof came together as was not properly sealed allowing water to flow in. Check your attic often this is where the first visual clues of a leaky roof will appear. You should be able to repair the spot and take care of the issue without needing an entire new roof.
If you start to see some of the shingles on your home become discolored you most likely have an issue that needs a professional to be hired to treat the roof. Most discoloration comes from the appearance of algae and moss growth. You need your roof to be moisture resistant to avoid leaks. A professional can come in treat the growths and seal the roof from moisture to avoid further complications.
Rotting shingles are a good sign that other areas below the roof are rotting as well. This is a severe case and one in which you should seek out a professional roof installation company to come in, remove the old roof and install a brand new roof in its place. This will prevent damage to the inside structure of your home. If not caught and dealt with early you could be looking at also replacing support beams throughout the attic.
Roofs are an important piece of your home. If not kept up on roofing problems can lead to big dollars spent fixing damage that could have been prevented or maintained. Most roofing contractors are more than happy to come out and offer a free quote to fix damage before you commit to an entire new roof.