Signs You Need a New Roof

Annoying leaks and total breakdowns aren’t the only signs that your roof at home has aged and needs urgent replacement. Especially with older homes, there are lots of other signs to look out for when examining the state of your roof at any time. They may not be leaking water yet, but they could also be a fraction of time away from collapsing completely.

You don’t have to wait until your home has a problem to get the roof replaced. Updating the roof at least once every decade or two is a great way of modernizing your home and increasing its aesthetic value. Age is a powerful determining factor in roof affairs and depending on the type of roofing material used, if yours is older than 20 years old, chances are it needs an overhaul.

When examining your roof for signs of failure, it’s always best to start from the inside. Make sure you work with a powerful flashlight so you don’t miss any critical spots.

 

Interior examination: What should you look for?

The sunlight check

This is one of the most popular methods of checking for holes or breakages in the roofing material. The attic or any one of the top-most rooms are the best places to start, so head up there at the peak of daytime, close all the windows, and turn off all sources of external light. Inspect every inch of the roof and note the spots letting sunlight through. If light can come through, then water can certainly seep through as well.

Obvious water damage

As mentioned above, leaks are the most common indicators of a roof in a poor shape. Most people only know to identify leaks, so check for signs of water damage on any section of the ceiling or along the top corners of the walls. Water damage is extremely dangerous and does not only damage the roof but could also lead to a collapse of the walls. Call in an expert immediately and discuss the next steps if you find any.

Slumping sections

Your flashlight should come in handy at this point. Look for any sections of the ceiling that seem as though they are pouched or sagging. This is a sign of extensive aging and moisture buildup. These slumped areas also contribute heavily to ceiling breakdown.

Dirty stains and streaks

If your roof is leaking water, you can’t miss the dark brown stains that would definitely run along and down your walls and vertically across the ceilings. They are both an eyesore and a surefire sign that your roof is in bad shape.

Exterior examination

A lot of the telling signs you need to identify would be on the outer part of the roof. After a thorough indoor check, proceed outside during the daytime to get a good look at every corner.

Rot, rust, and moss growth

This is common in roofs made with wooden materials. If you notice extensive rotting of the wood and rot in many places, the roof has certainly outlived its lifespan. Also, the significant growth of green moss shows that the wood is starting to fail and would have weakened considerably on the inside. If your roof was made with metallic roofing material, extensive rust and a flaky appearance is a sure sign of a tired roof.

Shingle decay

Roofs made with conventional shingles are prone to cracking and severe decay after long periods. The shingles would begin to flap up and down on top of each other and take on a muddy appearance over time. The sides of the tiles would also curl inward and shrink as they are acted upon by environmental elements.

Valleys and paths along the roof

If gutters appear on the roof or the separate parts begin to slope down on top of one another, the roof has aged and may require immediate renovation.In conclusion, when you notice several of these signs on your roof, and also considering the age of the house, the best course of action would be to call in a professional roofer to inspect the damage and assess the situation. Don’t wait any longer – a house without a roof is no house at all! A professional evaluation can reveal if you need a total change of the entire roof or patchwork on some sections.