Six out of every ten people in the US own their own home. If you are a homeowner, you’ll know that there are a lot of benefits and more security that comes with owning a property. However, the benefits of owning your own home also come with a lot of responsibility for looking after it, including maintaining the roof and making sure that it is in good condition. Taking care of the roof is essential if you want a home that is safe and in good condition for a long time. Roofs are thankfully designed to last for decades, but good maintenance will help it last even longer. A roof that is kept in good condition will increase the value of your property, give you more peace of mind and ensure that your home is safe.
Looking out for any visible signs of damage on a regular basis is one of the most important things to do when it comes to keeping your roof in good condition. While every roof will sometimes suffer some damage due to the weather and general wear and tear over time, it’s important to identify any damage caused to the roof as soon as possible so that you can repair it before it gets serious. The cost of carrying out repairs on your roof is usually much cheaper compared to replacing it completely. Some of the main warning signs to look out for include:
Missing Shingles
Shingles are a part of your roof that will be subject to extreme temperatures throughout the year. After some time, they are naturally going to show some signs of wear and tear. This could include shingles that come away from the roof, which will usually show up as bald spots on the roof. Commonly, missing shingles are due to worn shingles becoming loose enough to be blown away by the wind. This is an issue that will need to be rectified as quickly as possible, since missing shingles can increase the risk of leaks in the roof and lead to serious damage.
Cracked or Buckling Shingles
The shingles on your roof do not need to be missing for there to be a problem. Signs of deterioration such as cracking, curling, or buckling of the shingles will also need to be investigated and repaired as soon as possible. Damage to the shingles can lead to problems with the structure of your roof and affect the curb appeal of your property if you are considering selling in the future. Shingle damage will often show up as some parts of the roof looking more textured than others, which can lead to more serious roof issues like leaks over time.
Leaks
Even if your roof looks okay from the outside, water stains on your ceiling could be a sign that something isn’t right. Roof leaks will commonly cause signs such as the cracking or blistering of paint both inside and outside of the house. If you’ve noticed that the exterior paintwork is chipped or stained, it’s important that you don’t rule out the possibility of a leak in the roof. Damage to the underlayment of the roof will lead to moisture leaking through, causing stains on the exterior walls or ceiling of your home. If water is flowing through the roof underlayment, you might notice some water trails running down the walls. When you notice any signs of a leaking roof, it’s important to inspect it to find the water entry point and repair the damage as soon as possible. Michigan roofers Rock Solid Exteriors can help with this.
Dark Patches
Some areas of your roof appearing a lot darker compared to others can also be a sign that something is wrong. Even if the roof appears to be structurally fine, dark patches on the roof could signal moss growth, which is usually a result of water retention in the roof. Any continual supply of water and few nutrients is all that is needed to create the perfect environment for moss to grow. While the moss might not always be immediately visible, dark patches or even a small amount of growth on your roof could be a more serious issue to deal with than it originally appears to be.
Gutter Gravel
The gutters on your roof are a crucial part of directing water away from the property and reducing the risk of leaks. Gutters are designed to carry any excess water from rainfall away from the structure of the building. It’s important to clean out your gutters regularly so that they can function property, and while doing this, you can also check what’s inside the gutters to get a better idea of your roof’s condition. Sand or gravel in your gutters is always worth checking out further since this can be one of the first signs that your roof shingles are deteriorating due to wear and tear. It’s worth conducting a closer inspection of your roof shingles if you have noticed gravel and sand in the gutters during a routine cleaning.
Sagging
A roof can sag for various reasons, but most of the time, it’s a serious problem that needs to be repaired quickly regardless of the reason behind it. When a roof is getting old and deteriorating, it might begin to sag under the weight of the shingles. If the roof is fairly new and showing signs of sagging, it is more likely to be due to an incorrect installation. Snow during the winter can lead to excess weight on the roof that can cause it to sag, and this can be particularly dangerous with an old roof as it may even collapse under the weight of the snow.
While the good news is that roofs are designed to last a long time, they do not last forever and will eventually begin to show signs of wear and tear that will need to be repaired quickly to ensure that the roof lasts as long as possible. If you notice any of these signs on your roof, it’s important to act fast.