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Walking around your home, you’ve noticed bits of your shingles laying around your yard. They’re cracked and curled. Moss is growing on top of your roof, as well.
These are all signs that you need a roof replacement. While your needs might not be immediate, if you put things off for too long, your family might be in danger.
A broken roof leads to foundation issues. It will no longer be able to keep out the elements, which can cause moisture problems.
Prevention is the key. Check over your roof for a few of the following signs to find out if you need to schedule a replacement.
1. The Roof Sags
When moisture gets trapped in your roof, the wooden boards underneath will begin to rot. The best way to tell if your roof is sagging is to go across the street and view your house from different angles.
If all the lines are straight, you’re good to go. If there’s any slumping at all, you should call a roof installation company to come out to check things over.
Your roof might not be leaking quite yet, but it’s better to find out if you’re dealing with structural issues sooner rather than later.
2. Water Damage in the Attic
If you have any water damage in your attic, there’s a good chance that your roof is leaking and letting in moisture. To find out if something is going wrong in your attic, you’ll have to go up there.
If there are any brown marks or you see peeling paint, it’s time to talk to a roof replacement company as soon as you can. The longer you put it off, the worse the water damage will get.
Soon, you may have to get your walls and roof replaced. If mold and mildew form, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to get in touch with a remediation company because it’s dangerous to get rid of mold yourself
Mold causes a wide array of health problems in humans. Professional companies have the equipment necessary to stay safe. You don’t.
3. Missing Shingles
If you live in an area that’s vulnerable to hurricane-force winds, your shingles can blow off. This is especially true if they weren’t installed correctly in the first place or if a roofer stacked several layers of roofing on top of each other.
Many roofers can place new shingles where the old ones once were. The problem is that it’s hard to get the color right. If some of your shingles are old and faded, the new ones will stick out like a sore thumb.
Your whole roof will begin to look like a checkerboard. If you need to replace several shingles, do yourself a favor and go ahead and schedule a replacement.
4. Your Roof is Well Over 20 Years Old
Roof repair won’t do you any good if yours is over 20 years old. This expiration date can vary depending on the material. For example, an asphalt roof will only last for 10 years or so.
Metal roofing can stick around for 50 years if you take care of them, and clay roofs can last for 40 years. If you’re not sure how old your roof is, there are ways for you to find out.
Every house has home improvement records. You can also schedule an inspection. They can look at your roof and figure out how old it might be.
5. Cracked and Curling Shingles
If your shingles are cracked, it means that your roof is at the end of its rope. Water can seep in through the cracks and cause irreversible damage.
Curling shingles aren’t much better. High-force winds can rip them off the roof and send them flying. This leaves your home vulnerable to leaks and moisture damage.
6. Moss and Mold Growth
The older your roof gets, the more debris it gathers. This debris takes the form of moss and algae. This moss will sit on the roof and soak up moisture.
It can lead to water damage unless you get rid of it. You can clean it off depending on your roofing materials. A good power washing will take care of tile.
This method won’t work well for asphalt. You can look into professional cleaning in this case. If you do, you’ll be able to keep your algae growth to a minimum.
7. Damaged and Broken Flashing
Flashing is one of the most important parts of your roofing. Missing and broken flashing will allow water to seep in. It can cause serious damage.
To tell for sure if your flashing is broken, you’ll have to climb a ladder. If you notice any missing nails or other damage, you should get it repaired as soon as possible. If the problem is too bad, you’ll have to replace the entire roof.
8. Granules in the Gutters
Granules are a material that keeps your shingles safe from the sun’s harsh UV rays. Some granules in your gutters are normal for freshly installed rooftops.
If your roof is older, however, it’s a sign that your roof is almost at the end of its lifespan. Start looking around for the best roof replacement service in your area to handle the problem for you.
It Might be Time for a Roof Replacement
Have you found missing shingles sitting around your home? Is there moss growing on your roof? It might be time for you to look into roof replacement.
If you put things off, it could cause irreversible damage to your home’s foundation. Are you looking for more ways to keep your home in tip-top shape? We can help. Check out the Home Improvement section of our blog daily to learn more.
