Homeowners often underestimate the rigorous conditions that roofs are able to survive. A roof is a system, from the attic and its ventilation, the pitch of the roof and water run-off, the underlayment, the shingles, how the shingles are attached, the seams, the gutters, the protruding vents and chimneys, to the shingles themselves… all of it plays a role in having a healthy and insulated home that protects it from the weather.
Given the sun, rain, snow, and wind that a roof is subjected to daily, it’s pretty amazing that a roof can last two decades or more. Of course, the worse the weather… the worse the wear and tear on a roof. In Indiana, we see drastic swings in every direction… from hot summers, to freezing winters, to ice and snow, and torrential downpours and wind storms. If any part of a roof’s system begins to fail, the results can be incredibly expensive.
If you ask for a professional to inspect your roof, here’s a list of the items that they’re going to check:
- Curling Shingles – With age and weathering, asphalt shingles often become brittle and begin to curl. That can open seams that allows water to get into your structure.
- Broken Shingles – Broken shingles must be replaced to prevent water damage to the roof.
- Missing Shingles – Missing shingles must be replaced to prevent water damage to the roof.
- Flapping Shingles – Shingles are nailed to your roof and stick to each other providing a strong seal. Flapping shingles should be nailed securely or replaced to prevent water damage.
- Excessive Granules – The granules on shingles play an important role in their protection, from reflecting heat to protecting the underlying asphalt materials. If you see excessive granulation or see a ton of granules in your gutters, it may be a sign that your shingles have reached their end of life.
- Damaged Flashing – Flashing is the metal material that surrounds sunroofs, bathroom vents, furnace vents, and chimneys. If there’s visible deterioration in the flashing or the adhesives, it will likely need replaced.
- Protruding Nails – Roofing nails should never be visible.
- Moss – Moss and lichen could be an indicator of roof rot underneath the growth.
- Sagging– A sagging section of your roof or roof ridge indicates further structural damage underneath the shingles and must be repaired immediately to avoid structural damage.
- Dry Rot – The fascia, soffit and eaves should be inspected for rotting wood. That’s a sign that water isn’t being properly routed off of your roof.
- Clogged Gutters – Gutters play an important role in routing water properly and draining it outside the structure of your house.
- Leaks – Looking for any sign of water damage inside or outside your roof is a critical part of roof inspection. Leaks can also be deceptive… a leak on a roof vent, for example, could route the water down your rafters to another part of your home entirely.
If you see a problem… perhaps a ceiling water spot or a missing shingle, you should contact us immediately. Or if you had a heavy hail storm, you should ask us to come out immediately. Roof damage from weather events is sometimes covered by insurance. Even if it’s not, repairing or replacing your failing roof can save you tons of money in the long run… preventing you from other structural damage or repairs.
Roof inspections are always free, so take advantage of the opportunity to have us out. And don’t forget… roofing technology has significantly changed over the last two decades. New roofs are more energy-efficient and seamless guttering systems with leaf guards can help you with energy costs and reduced maintenance.
