Roofs have an average lifespan of around 30 years or more, depending on what material they’re made out of and the maintenance it receives throughout the years. If you want to take good care of your roof, it’s important to contact your Portland Roofing Company right away if you notice any warning signs that your roof is in trouble.
There’s no playing around with roofs, so fixing any issues quickly is the recommended course of action.
First Signs, You Need to Look For in Damaged Roof
When your roof shows wear and tear signs, you should call an expert to review your roof. They will decide whether your roof can be repaired or needs replacement. Yet, to get a clearer picture of the warning signs that showcase that your roof is in trouble, here is what you should know:
- The granules placed on your tiles can lift and fall off the bond between the asphalt and the tiles, which is a big red flag for your roof.
- The shingles can curl up or down. You need to worry when a large part of your roof is affected by this phenomenon. These shingles can cause the roof to crack and let moisture seep into the ceiling and walls.
- Major water leakage can be spotted from the dark streaks that are left behind on the surface of the shingles, walls, or ceilings. Water damage isn’t the only thing that can spot dark streaks; algae known as gloeocapsa magma grows on and between the shingles. They can create dark streaks on your roof. Removing some can avoid a roof replacement.
- Moss growing on shingles can be a minor inconvenience and can remove it yourself if it’s isolated. If your roof is infested by moss, this can lead to major cracks and leaks in the roof’s integrity. You may want to call a specialist to take care of that as soon as possible.
- The ceiling can begin to sag due to leakage that damages the roof’s structure. When this water damage severely affects the roof, water can seep into the walls and ceilings, warping the wood and affecting the drywall over time.
- Putting a bucket under a leakage from the roof does not save the day. The leakage can result from cracks and holes in the ceiling, leading to poor insulation in your home. Therefore, mold starts to grow because of the humidity built up from the leaky roof.
- You will need a professional to inspect your roof and decide whether your roof is suffering from severe wind or hail damage. If you notice some areas of your roof lack shingles off the surface, that may be caused by branches falling onto the roof and causing shingles to fall.
- If you have a chimney on your roof, look at its metal flashing. This flashing can be either missing, rusted, or falling apart as years go by. This issue does not mean you need to replace your entire roof, but you might need to fix the issue.
- When you start seeing “light” through your roof, not from a window, you might need an entire roof replacement. To prevent additional damage, you need to inspect the roof by calling in a professional because the roof’s integrity may be at stake.
- It’s said a roof could last up to 30 years. Still, when the roof is over 20 years, you might begin looking for an improvement because roofing materials evolve. Of course, we want what’s best over our heads.
- If you know that tiny creatures are living next to you, such as squirrels, possums, and raccoons, damage to your roof is highly likely to happen. You want to be cautious when your roof is damaged because wildlife may find shelter in your roof. You need to remove the animals and repair your roof.
- Shingles aren’t forever. Although they’re made to last, rotting can appear if the climate in your area is humid. This is a massive problem with the roof structure. You need to replace it soon. This rotting process may lead your roof to allow moisture, water, and cold to slip into the house and cause health issues.
- If you notice nails begin to pop out of place, the created space is prone to water penetration, and it’s another sign that your roof is in trouble.
- If you have doors in your house or windows that don’t work as they should, you may want to look at your roof’s structure. This issue could be because of the structural shifts that danger those living under the roof.
Contact a Roofing Contractor Right Away
Once you identify the red flags and talk about the issues with your roofing contractor, the contractor follows a process for your new roof, which may include:
Tearing Off The Old Roof
In many situations, this is the first step, where the entire surface of the roof is torn off. Constructing a new structure over an old one is not the method you want to apply because it comes with several disadvantages, and it isn’t recommended at all. Talk with your roofing contractor to learn more.
Lay Out The Underlayment
This step can prevent your shingles from curling by installing a drip edge, so water does not enter your home.
Placing The Starter Shingles
This layer acts as a barrier to prevent leakage. These shingles are half as wide as the main shingles, and they’re the first line of defense.
Install The Regular Shingles
The shingles are installed one after another by overlapping and then secured by nails.
Place the Flashing
Flashing is a seal to keep away any leakage around the windows, chimneys, and other elements that the roof touches. The moment that this layer is finished, the ridge is capped.
Sealing
This is the last step of the roof construction, the sealing of the exposed nails and cleaning up. The roof is the most important part of our home because if something isn’t right with our roof, things tend to go downhill. Everything is linked to our roofs.
Once you notice your roof needs repairs, you might want to start researching materials, techniques, and anything related because by hiring a roofing contractor, you have to be sure they’ll do a good job.
Don’t attempt to do repairs yourself, let a professional handle it, and don’t shy away from getting a roof replacement if you see signs of damage, wear and tear, regular leaks, or moss growth, among other symptoms of a failing roof. Replacing your roof will boost your home’s value in the long run.
