aerial view of a large home's roof

A Sign of the Times: How to Tell if a Home Needs Roof Repairs

Roofs are easy to forget about…when they’re in good shape. But when it’s time to repair—or even replace—your roof, it can lead to a rude wake-up call. Do I need a complete overhaul? Will shingle replacements be okay? Is it just a small leak? Where do I start with home roof repair? Well, these are all important questions that need to be answered, but first, you need to know the indications that your roof may be in need of some upkeep.

From little leaks to crinkly shingles, there are a lot of tell-tale signs for repair. Let’s go over some of the most common ones so that you know when to hire a roofing contractor, and when you can handle the issue yourself. Try contacting Residential Roofing Specialists as they have a wide array of services that will help you out.

Check the Shingles

Whether they’re on your dream home or starter home, shingles are like the very important icing on the cake for your roof. They protect the structure from sun, wind, water, and whatever else may come its way. There are many signs that indicate a failing roof, and your shingles are usually the first to show signs of damage. Here are some common ways that shingles break down over time and indicate that you may need some repairs:

Curled Shingles

Shingles can curl upward (cupping) and curl in the middle (clawing). Both are signs of weathering and might mean some big roof repair is in order. Curling indicates that there may be potential leaks ready to spring. If you notice this, your roof may already have problems.

Cracked Shingles

Cracked shingles usually mean wind damage. If just a couple of random shingles are cracked, no need to worry, just replace them. But if you notice large spots with cracked shingles, it could be a sign of structural damage below them.

Bald Spots

A few missing shingles here or there isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If you notice a bald patch on your roof, it’s typically safe to just replace it with new shingles. But you’ll definitely want to do this sooner than later. Bald spots can lead to water damage and other problems that will shorten the lifespan of your roof.

Plant Growth

This is perhaps the least concerning of the bunch. Growth, like moss and algae, is largely a cosmetic issue. It doesn’t necessarily mean that mold is running rampant in your home. Growth from these little beasties may be due to a number of factors like humidity and location. So, if you can stand the look, you should be just fine.

How Old Is Your Roof?

attic of a house

This is an important question to ask, and if you don’t know, you might want to look into that before you start making repairs. Roofs typically last 20-25 years in most places. If your roof is still in good shape, but it’s over 30 years old, be on the lookout for potential problems and do everything you can to keep it free of extra weight, like snow, and update shingles to extend the roof’s life even longer. And if it is time to completely replace your roof, be sure to think about the design you want and pick the best style for you!

Look for Leaks in the Attic

The first place a roof leak would show up is in the attic. On a sunny day, crawl up to your attic and see if any sunlight is peeping through. Or climb up during a heavy rainstorm with a good light source to see if you can spot dripping water. If you see either, it’s best to take care of the issue before it gets worse.

Check for Stains

This one is pretty obvious and easy to identify. If you notice dark stains or streaks under your roof or down the walls, that’s a sign that water is leaking in. This will damage the structure of your roof and potentially your home’s interior as well. It’s important to act fast and address the problem right away with this issue. Plus, if moisture gets trapped, it creates a cozy environment for mold to grow in. So, when you see this in your home, be sure to use a trusted roofing contractor to fix the issue.

What’s In the Gutters?

house's rain gutters during a rainstorm

It’s easy to overlook the gutters when you’re looking for problems in your roof, but your gutters catch all the debris that slides off your roof. If you’re cleaning more than sticks and leaves out of your gutters, you may have a problem. One sign of damage in asphalt roofs is granules in the gutter. If you start seeing little bits of asphalt in your gutters, there may be a larger problem that needs fixing. Now, if you just got the roof and you see those granules, don’t worry! It’s just the excess coming off. But if your roof is 10+ years old and this is happening, it may be time for some repairs.

Does it Need a “Facelift?”

People age and so do roofs! This is one of the more obvious signs, and if you see your roof sagging, chances are you’re going to need a full replacement. Sagging is typically an indicator of a structural issue between your roof and the attic. Not only does it look bad, but it can also be dangerous. You may not be in immediate danger if your roof is sagging, but if you let it go long enough and you run the risk of things collapsing and causing further damage to your home.

Your roof is a crucial part of protecting the home from the weather. The elements can cause damage, but if you know how to spot it, you can eliminate small problems that would potentially turn into big ones. Regularly monitoring for missing shingles, leaks, and other damage will extend your roof’s life and end up saving you a lot of money on roof repair or replacement.

We hope you found this blog post A Sign of the Times: How to Tell if a Home’s Roof Needs Repairs useful. Be sure to check out our post Roof Checking Tips Before Moving In for more great tips!


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