The roof over a house is one of its most important structural components, one that protects the entire building and helps to keep it standing.
To protect their roof, it is important for homeowners to recognize signs that roof repair might be necessary.
These are some of the main symptoms that some kind of roofing repair is necessary and a call to an experienced, local roofer is warranted.
Observant homeowners seeing any of these signs should seek attention for their roofs as soon as possible.
1. Sagging
A sagging roof is a red flag that there is structural damage happening within the support structures of the roof.
Whether it is the decking, the trusses, or the rafters experiencing damage, sagging is a dangerous symptom that rot or some other damage may be affecting the roof.
Homeowners should immediately arrange an inspection and any needed repairs to protect their homes and prevent this dangerous problem from worsening, potentially to the point of collapse.
2. Leaks
The most obvious symptom that roof repair is necessary is a leak.
Water under the roof or any signs of water damage in the attic or house is a definite reason to call a roofing contractor out to trace the origin and make repairs.
Unresolved leaks that are allowed to worsen over time can eventually result in severe damage to the roof, house, and the homeowner’s private property.
3. Damaged Roofing Materials
Another obvious indication that some kind of roofing repair is required is visible damage to the roofing materials.
Whether that consists of seeing broken, bent, or missing shingles, damaged metal, clogged or damaged gutters, or cracked or missing tiles, all these problems should receive attention from a professional contractor so the installation can be restored to its original state.
Repairing exterior materials as soon as possible will also prevent the hidden damage that might happen if the underlayment or structural components get wet.
4. Damaged or Missing Flashing or Pipe Boots
The flashing and pipe boots that prevent leaks around roofing protrusions and within roof valleys are highly susceptible to damage due to age, exposure, and simple wear and tear.
Damaged or missing flashing or boots should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent water from getting under the exterior materials and causing other serious damage.
5. Signs of Inadequate Attic Ventilation
Poor attic ventilation can cause extreme damage to a shingle installation by allowing it to overheat.
To prevent this costly problem, homeowners should seek roof repairs when noticing signs of poor ventilation, like condensation in the attic, water stains on the rafters, damp insulation, and any other indications of a hot and moist attic space.
6. Light Shining Through
A functional roof is made from multiple layers of varied materials that combine to work as a unit to keep the under-roof space watertight. If a homeowner can see sunlight through any part of their roof from the inside, roofing repairs should be arranged immediately.
Any breach in the exterior materials that allow light and water through is just the beginning of what will turn into bigger problems in time.
7. Discoloration
A streaked and discolored roof is one that is being attacked by mold or some other microorganism.
Mold, mildew, algae, and moss can slowly eat away at the roofing materials making them brittle, or causing rot due to excess moisture.
A thorough cleaning by a professional roofer should be arranged to stop this type of decomposition.
Contact A Roofing Repair Contractor Upon Noticing Any of These Signs
When noticing any of the above symptoms, homeowners should call for roof repairs, starting with a thorough inspection.
An experienced contractor can determine the source of the problem, then apply roofing repairs to resolve it and restore the installation back to its original condition.
With good maintenance and frequent inspections to detect problems before they worsen, homeowners can get a long life from their roofing installations.
