1) Your roof is discolored
The sun and other weather elements, such as rain, snow, and sleet, can take a toll on your roof’s appearance. The color change could indicate deterioration of your roof, not to mention it detracts from your home’s curb appeal. If you plan to sell your home shortly, it’s worth noting that a compromised roof can complicate a housing sale in a hurry. The discoloration is unattractive, and new home buyers are sure to notice.
2) Neighbors are getting new roofs
Neighborhoods often pop up at near the same time as part of a larger development project. As your neighbors begin replacing their roofs, you may find that yours is on a similar schedule. If this case, take a look at the other signs on this list to see if your roof is trying to tell you that it’s time to replace.
3) Roof age
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), you can expect shingle/composition roofs to last about 20 years, depending on climate, maintenance, and shingle type. Thicker “architectural” shingles will offer more durability than three-tab shingles. Some materials have a longer lifespan than others. The closer your roof gets to its end of life, the more problems you’ll begin to see cropping up. Keep in mind that roof damage only gets worse with time.
4) Shingles are buckling or curling
Shingles may begin to buckle or curl due to heat and moisture over the lifespan of the roof. Harsh weather can degrade the longevity of the shingles. If you notice shingles sticking up, your roof is on its last legs.
5) Missing shingles
Severe weather can also rip shingles off altogether, leaving your roof exposed to water damage. As water penetrates the layers below, your roof is then vulnerable to “roof rot.”
6) Roof rot
Roof rot poses a significant risk to your roof as it must hold its entire weight. In the worst-case scenario, this can even lead to a collapse. The longer water can get into the wood, the more the rot will spread, increasing the urgency of fixing it.
Signs of roof rot:
- Torn flashing
- Water damage on the ceilin
- Mold in the attic
- Growth of algae or moss
- Sunken roof deck
7) Shingle granules in gutter
As the weather impacts your roof, erosion can cause granules to trickle down into your gutters. Over time, this can even lead to gutter blockages—the more granules that fall off your shingles, the less protection the shingles offer.
8) Daylight visible through roof boards
Daylight should come through your windows, not through your roof. If sunlight can get in, so can water and animals. We would be more than happy to install a skylight or sun tunnel if you want natural light emanating from above.
9) Damaged flashing
Flashing and underlayment serve to keep water from getting underneath your shingles. Be on the lookout for rusted or missing flashing around your roof’s chimneys, vent pipes, and the valley between roof parts.
Conclusion
The number of problems you can encounter with your roof is numerous. Maintaining your roof is critical to extending its lastingness. Keep these factors in mind to prevent a lot of costly headaches later on.
If you find that one or more of these signs are evident on your roof, give us a call at 703-550-0055 to have one of our repair technicians or estimators see what we can do to help you with the decision-making process.
