The roof is one of the most neglected parts of a home. Most homeowners don’t really notice it until there is a leak.
Like any other part of your home, the roof requires proper maintenance. It bears a lot of wear and tears throughout the year especially in places where there is heavy rainfall.
You need to keep an eye on your roof. Otherwise, it may collapse resulting in potential injuries and property damages.
To help you identify whether you need to repair your roof or get it replaced altogether before it collapses, we highlight the specific signs you need to be aware of—ranging from shingle damages to rising energy bills.
Read on!
Sign 1: Shingle Damage
You should check on the shingles of your roof at least once every six months. When on the roof, you need to look for any cracks, buckling, or damage to the shingles. If you notice them early enough, you will likely only need a roof repair rather than a replacement.
While we recommend you climb on the roof to check the shingles, there are times you can identify damaged shingles from inside your home. If you notice stains in the ceiling or attic, it is likely because of a leak in the roof. Leaks are almost always due to damaged shingles.
You don’t necessarily have to wait six months to check on the shingles. Homeowners in areas that experience bad weather such as heavy winds and rainfall, hailstorms, or blizzards should check on their roof after the occurrence of a heavy storm.
Sign 2: Rot and Plants Growing on the Roof
Rots in your roof compromise its structural integrity. It puts everyone, in your house, in danger because it can lead to the ceiling collapsing at any point. You need to be able to identify rots to ensure you seek roof replacement in a timely manner.
There are numerous signs that help you identify if your roof is rotting, the most common being:
Moss and mold growth: In humid areas, algae can start to form on the roof which leads to mold, when left untreated. The mold expands with time, penetrating the ceiling and other parts of your home.
You can spot algae and mold by inspecting your roof from time to time, treating it before it starts to rot your roof.
- Sagging roof: Inspect your roof from inside your home, looking for any unevenness in the ceiling. Then, go outside and inspect the roof to see if any part sinks in.
A sagging roof doesn’t necessarily mean you need a replacement; a roofer can reinforce it. However, that’s only when you identify the problem in its early stage.
A rotting roof needs to be dealt with immediately. Waiting around after noticing plants growing on the roof or mold inside puts your roof in danger of collapsing.
Sign 3: Higher Energy Bills
Did you know that a damaged roof is a contributing factor in higher energy bills?
With age, your roof starts to break down and doesn’t perform its duties as well as it should. One such duty is to keep external weather conditions like heat and cold from affecting your internal environment.
As the roof breaks down, it forms cracks and holes. These allow external weather conditions inside. With the temperature rising or falling, you have to rely more on your heating and air conditioning system to keep the internal climate at a comfortable level.
However, higher energy bills don’t necessarily mean your roof is damaged. It can also be due to poor insulation or outdated windows and doors. So, to determine if your roof is the prime reason for higher bills, you need to inspect it and look for any damaged shingles or rotting in the roof.
Let Our Roofing Experts Take Care of Your Roof!
The roof is an essential part of your home and you want to make sure it is looked after properly. You shouldn’t compromise on going with just any roofer because it puts your home and family at risk.
We, at Crockett Home Improvement Inc., have helped countless homeowners in Christiansburg, Virginia and can help you with your roof installation, repair, and maintenance needs.
Talk to our team at 540-382-8747 or book an appointment online.