Your roof might be hardwearing, but it isn’t immune to the effects of Mother Nature and gradual wear and tear over time. It’s not always easy to tell when your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, especially since most types of damage are hard to spot from ground level. Thankfully, there are ways you can spot roof damage without climbing ladders or navigating your rooftop. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the most common signs your roof needs repairs, and how to spot them without putting yourself in danger.
Battered Shingles
The most obvious sign your roof needs repairing is when the shingles are cracked, dirty, or flaking off into the gutters. You can examine your shingles from ground level, or, if you need a closer look, carefully climb a ladder. Look for shingles that are curled, cracked, or even missing. All these are signs that your shingles are reaching the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced. You should also look for shingles that are dark, dirty, or wet. If your shingles are trapping moisture, they’re not doing their job correctly. A professional can help you identify the true source of the problem and repair it. Finally, check for shingle granules in the gutters. When shingles start to wear down, they’ll start to shed their granules. These granules—which look like coarse, black sand—can wind up in your gutter and cause problems.
Leaks and Light
If you’re noticing leaking or streams of light that originate from your attic, it could be a sign of cracks or holes in your roof. Make sure to check your attic’s ceiling (the underside of the roof) for any visible signs of damage. There are other signs of a leaking roof you can identify without having to step on your roof, including a musty odor, water stains on the ceiling, spots on your exterior walls, or bulging patches on your interior walls. The severity of this problem can vary. The culprit could be damaged flashing or shingles, which can be repaired, but it could also be a porous underlayment, which often requires a full roof replacement to fix.
Bigger Bills
Another common sign your roof needs repairs is an air conditioning or heating bill that’s more expensive than usual. The reason your bills are higher could be because the air is leaking outside from a crack or hole in your roof. You’ll want to examine the underside of the roof for signs of damage. Once you address the root cause of the ventilation problem, your heating and cooling expenses should return to normal.
If you’re in need of trustworthy, high-quality hail damage roofing contractors in the Twin Cities Metro area, Viking Contractors can help. We’ll give your home a thorough inspection, identify any problem areas, and repair your roof quickly and efficiently. Contact us today for a free inspection/quote!
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