Most of us don’t give much thought to the roof over our heads…until we feel water dripping on our heads! Don’t wait until your small leak becomes a big problem. Homeowners should be performing regular roof inspections twice a year (in the spring and fall). We’re here to help you in those inspections by giving you a few things to look for!
Do An Interior Check
Believe it or not, the first place you need to look if you suspect your roofing system may be failing is on the inside of your home-NOT the outside. Grab a flashlight and head to the attic. You will want to climb under eaves and look for stains, streaks, or beams of light coming through the top of the house. These are signs of a leaky roof.
Check Your Records
Knowing when a roof was installed, whether it was completely replaced or simply re-shingled, offers a lot of insight into how much life may be left in it. For example, a typical asphalt shingle roof lasts 20-25 years, while a roof installed over an existing layer of shingles should be replaced after around 20 years.
Inspect Your Shingles
One thing you can check out yourself is what your shingles look like. Shingles should lay flat against the roof. If you find patches that are cracked, damaged, or buckling, then repairs-and possibly even a replacement is in order. Be sure to check your gutters and downspouts for shingle granules, because a roof that is losing a lot of granules may be at the end of its life.
Don’t Forget Flashing!
Ok so that sounds weirder than it actually is, but the flashing (the thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint) around vents, skylights, and chimneys seals the seams of the roof from rain and weather. These points are vulnerable to cracking and breaking, which could lead to leaks. In older homes, flashing is often made of roof cement or tar, so it’s a good idea to upgrade to a metal flashing system if your home is older.
Wood Rot
A roof that is drooping or sagging needs replacing ASAP! Check the surface for signs of trapped moisture, rotting boards, or sagging spots-especially at the lowest points of the roof.
House Plant
Those are great to decorate your interior with-but you do NOT want them growing on your roof! Moss on your roof indicated there may be trapped moisture, which can ruin a roof.
It Will Be Ok!
A few damaged shingles or a small leak does not mean you need a complete roof replacement. If your roof is younger than 15-20 years old and was installed correctly, it may just be in need of some repairs. When in doubt, contact us here at Royal Roofing & Solar to request your Royal Rundown, which is our no-cost, no-commitment, roof inspection.
