Your home is one of the biggest investments that you’ll make. Taking care of the roof of your home will help protect, and enhance, that investment. A well-maintained roof can lower your energy bills, especially in the hot Texas summers. Proper insulation and ventilation, along with your choice of roofing materials, will keep the air at the top of your home moving to reduce heat and moisture build-up. A well-maintained roof also adds value and curb appeal to your home.
If you’re wondering how to tell if you need a new roof, here are self-inspection tips to help you decide if it’s time to call in the professionals.
1. Know Your Roof’s Age
An asphalt shingle roof usually lasts about 20-25 years. If you don’t know the exact age of your roof, you might be able to gauge by your neighbors’ roof maintenance. If neighbors are replacing their roofs, you are probably due for one soon, too. Korrect Roofing can inspect your roof and let you know when it is due for replacement.
2. Light Coming Through The Roof
From your attic (or similar roof access) with the lights off, look for small beams of light coming through the roof. Also look for any stains or streaks that might indicate leaks near these areas. Light coming through the roof is an indicator of a damaged roof and missing shingles should be inspected by professionals right away.
3. Ship-Shape Shingles
It’s always a good idea to regularly inspect your roof for dislodged or missing shingles. The sooner you repair or replace shingles that do not lie flat against the roof (curled, cracked, buckled, or damaged) the better you can prevent future damage or roof leaks.
4. Granules In Rain Gutters And Downspouts
Inspect rain gutters and downspouts for shingle granules frequently. A build-up of granules in these areas indicates that a roof is nearing the end of its durability.
5. Dark Streaks Or Stains
Dark streaks or stains on your ceiling, or moving from the top to bottom of your walls, are most likely airborne algae caused by moisture coming through your roof. A roofing professional can inspect to find the source of the leak and repair it.
6. Moss Growing On Your Roof
Moss can result from moisture trapped in your roof. If moss is growing on your roof it can usually be cleaned away to prevent damage, and a professional can help you mitigate the cause so it does not grow back.
7. Visible Water Damage Or Leaks
You should contact a professional at the first sign of water damage or a leak that might be coming from your roof. The sooner you have a professional inspect your roof, the sooner you can prevent significant damage to your home.
8. Saggy Ceilings
If you have a saggy ceiling in your home, touch it gently to determine if the material is soft or feels like cardboard. If it does, this is likely due to excess moisture from a leak in your roof and should be addressed right away by calling a roofing professional.
9. Damaged Flashing
Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights in older homes might be made of tar and roof cement. Your local roofing professional can replace the old materials with new, more durable, metal flashing.
10. Severe Storms
It is always a good idea to do a thorough roof inspection after a storm! Then, call the professionals if you notice any issues.If you think you might need a new roof, call your local Dallas-Fort Worth roofing and general construction professionals! Contact Korrect Roofing for a free roof inspection today.
