For most homeowners, their house roof is not always at the top of their mind. This is understandable because roofs are designed to last for long before you need a roof replacement. About one in four homeowners confess that they never inspect their roofs, or they only conduct an inspection when the roof has a problem. However, this is risky because your roof can sustain minor and indistinct damage, which becomes serious over time. This can lead to needing a roof repair on short notice.
To avoid surprise roof replacements, you should look out for the following signs of roof damage.
1. An Old and Worn-Out Roof
Roofs have a varying service life depending on the type. Concrete tiles and metal roofs have an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years, architectural asphalt shingles last for 24 to 30 years, and 3-tab asphalt shingles may last for 15 to 18 years. If your roof looks run down or it is nearing the end of its service life, you should start planning for a roof replacement. If you are unsure whether a total roof replacement is your best option, you should engage a residential roofing contractor to conduct a roof inspection. Ordinarily, roof replacement is the only effective solution for an old and worn-out roof.
2. Stains on the Ceilings and Walls
Discolored parts on your walls and ceilings are a telltale sign of a leak on your roof. It may be long before drops of water start dripping off the ceilings because roof leaks are gradual. So, you shouldn’t ignore any unusual discolorations on parts of your ceilings. A more foolproof way to spot roof leaks is by inspecting your attic. If you are handy, you can climb up your attic with a flashlight and watch out for beams of light or stains that may indicate a leaky roof. However, if you usually contract roofing companies for roof repair, the roofers will spot a leak early enough and notify you. Roofing contractors advise homeowners to have their roofs inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
3. Missing, Cracked, or Damaged Shingles
Other than the normal wear and tear, shingles can be damaged by lightning storms, strong winds, and thunder. If you live in a state that is hard-hit by frequent storms and hurricanes, your roof shingles will be ruined over time. A missing shingle will allow water to penetrate the underlayment of the roof, and this will cause rot and mold to invade your roof. Missing shingles will also expose your roofing to the elements, which affects the flashing and soffit of the roof. If not repaired in good time, the rot may spread to other parts of the roof and compromise the overall structural integrity of your roof.
4. Unwanted Mold, Fungi, and Animals
When your roof has damaged shingles, water is likely trapped in the flashing and underlayment, and this will invite mold and fungi to your roof. Opportunistic animals such as squirrels, bats, birds, raccoons, and possums may gain entry and nest in your attic. When you start hearing unusual sounds coming from your ceiling, it may be from these unwanted animals. You should get your roof inspected by a professional roofer anytime you spot mold or fungi on your roof or hear strange animal noises coming from the ceilings. A roofing contractor will get to the bottom of these problems and recommend a roof repair or a roof replacement.
It is important that you pay more attention to your roof to spot signs that may warrant a roof replacement. You don’t want your roof to start leaking heavily and necessitate roof replacement on short notice. To keep your roof in tip-top conditions, you should engage roof contractors in Michigan to inspect and maintain your roof. Roofers will help you spot roof damage signs that can be repaired and those that can only be solved through roof replacement. For a quality roof replacement job, trust the reputable roof repair contractors near you.
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