Many times the damage to your roof is more serious than it seems and can cause huge problems when you do not act quickly. In this article you will find some signs you should consider when determining whether to replace your roof.
At Moriarty’s Roofing we advise you to periodically check your roof, and to do a general cleaning. This will avoid unexpected problems and save you money as you won’t have to make roof replacements that you could have avoided.
1- Your roof is old
That's a problem. When the roof is close to the end of its life, it is normal for problems such as sinks, leaks, lost parts, etc. to appear. The lifespan will depend on the type of roof you have, for example, metal roofs tend to be the most durable roofing material, usually last between 40 and 70 years, and a composite shingle roof lasts between 20 and 40 years.
2- Your roof has saggy spots
A sagging roof is very dangerous, as there is the risk of imminent collapse. If the roofline is accompanied by leaks, visible shingle or water damage, it’s important to act quickly before the problem gets worse.
If it's safe for you to carefully walk on the roof, see how it feels. If it feels spongy or has a bit of a bounce, call a roofing professional as soon as possible.
3- You can see daylight
From the attic, or from a place where you can see the roof of your home, you should not see sunlight passing through the roof boards. If daylight passes, the water will also pass and that will generate even more problems.
If this is only happening in one place of the house, it may be able to be repaired. But if you notice it in several places, it’s probably best to replace the ceiling partially or completely.
4- Visible leaks or interior water damage
If there are multiple leaks in the roof, it’s time to consider replacing your roof.
Sometimes you do not see leaks inside the house, but you notice streaks, water stains in the attic, or the ceiling or walls of your home.
5- Damaged, curling or missing shingles
If you notice visible shingle damage to various parts of your roof, it may be time to replace it. Simply take a look for the most common forms of visible shingle damage:
- Cracked shingles
- Damaged or curled shingles
- Missing shingles
- Missing granules
- Damage around chimneys or skylights
6- Storm damage (wind and rain)
After a heavy storm, it is ideal to inspect the roof for damage due to rain or strong winds. If you don’t know how to detect damages, but you think they exist, consult a roofing company.
The wind can lift the shingles and loosen the sealant and the nails that bind them to the roof.
7- Exposed nails
Depending on how many nails there are exposed, whether or not they’ve been exposed for a long time, and what type of materials the roof is made from, it may need to be replaced.
8- Damaged or missing flashings
If the flashing is rusty, broken or lost, water will run along these edges and seep into the house.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may choose to repair, or replace the roof either partially or completely.
9- Moldy roof
If your roof has mold, don’t be scared! It may not need to be replaced, and a deep cleaning could be enough. But if mold has been spreading all over the roof for some time, it may have already entered the shingles and that is a general problem. In addition, plant life also invites certain insects and pests to live there. To avoid this, you have to be very careful and periodically clean it.
10- Structural problems
Century houses and log cabins may have wooden beams for roofing supports that can deform and bend over time.
New houses may be deformed due to natural settlement or seismic activity.
In both cases, a deformation of the roof will be caused, and may bring with it certain problems such as water retention, sagging parts, etc.
In this case, first the structural problem must be solved and then the roof replaced.
Kind regards from the Moriarty Roofing Family.
