You can save yourself a lot of money on roof repair if you catch problems early. Potential problems or concerns about your roof are not a “wait and see” kind of situation. Roofing problems will always get worse, and a small problem, ignored, will lead to a catastrophic problem. What might have started as a patch job can lead to a total roof replacement if it isn’t addressed properly and quickly. A qualified, trusted, local roofing company can help you deal with minor roof issues before the problems really get severe.
Here are some early warning signs to watch for with your roof.
Shingle Granules in Your Gutters
As shingles age and wear, they lose granules. In your gutters, these shingle granules will collect, and they will look like sand – black, coarse sand. You may notice them in your gutters, at the end of your downspouts, or sprinkled throughout your yard after a big storm or strong winds. A few lost granules are nothing to worry about, but if it’s persistent or a significant amount, it probably means that your shingles are coming to the end of their useful life.
Curled Shingles
This is another indicator that you should replace those shingles. As shingles age, they become loose, and as they loosen, the edges can curl up, allowing moisture to get underneath the shingles and down into the roof surface. An occasional curled shingle probably just needs to be individually replaced, but if you see a LOT of curled ones, then your whole roof may be nearing the end of its useful life.
Cracked Shingles
Though less common, cracks in your shingles are also a tell-tale sign to replace shingles before your roof problems get more severe. The same goes for cracks in any tiles on your roof, if you have tiles, rather than shingles. Any breach in the top layer of your roof has the potential to be an ingress point for moisture, and you want to get that looked at as soon as possible.
Wet Spots on Your Roof
Your shingles are supposed to be sending water downward, away from the roof and into the gutters, not holding onto it. If they are trapping moisture, something is not right. You might notice this as a persistently wet-looking spot on your roof, or it might show up as a spot of persistent moss, mold, or fungus on your roof. All of these are signs of moisture being trapped on your roof, and if your roof is collecting water, you have a problem to deal with.
Wear Around Vents, Pipes, and Chimneys
If it is looking rough around the objects that penetrate your roof – pipes, skylights, vents, chimneys – then you could use some patchwork on your roof or repairs to the flashing on your roof. The good news is that these repairs can often be focused on just those points around the problem spots, and usually don’t indicate larger problems with the whole roof. (However, if these problem spots are ignored for a long time, these issues can spread to wider sections of your roof.)
A Light in the Attic
If your attic is letting in light, then there are small holes in your roof. This is a major, act now, “do not pass go” sort of a problem. Call your trusted roofing contractor TODAY. (If light can get in, water can get in.)
Stains on Your Walls or Ceilings
This doesn’t always mean a problem with your roof. Air conditioning systems, poor in-home ventilation, or inadequate attic venting can also lead to stains or marks on your walls or ceilings. But regardless of the cause, these types of marks indicate a problem that needs to be sorted out. They can indicate minor to moderate roof leaks. Are these minor, patchable leaks, or are they a bigger issue? It’s best to ask a trusted roofing professional to evaluate the situation.
A Spike in Your Energy Bills
If your heating and cooling costs gradually (or suddenly!) go way higher than usual, it could mean a few different things. For one, it could be air leaking out through your roof. It may be a question of your insulation, or it may be the roof itself. (This can also indicate an issue with your windows, siding, or other home exterior issues.)
Whatever the problem you’ve noticed with your home or with your roof, it’s best to have a professional roofing company give your roof an inspection and a full evaluation of the issue. You’ll want to call a trusted, local roofing company with an excellent reputation for doing great work – here in Cincinnati, you can call us here at Harper Siding & Roofing for a detailed evaluation and a thorough plan for solving any problems.