If you’ve noticed some issues with your roof recently, you might be wondering how you can determine what problems can be repaired with a simple fix and which ones will require a complete overhaul. There are a variety of different problems that can arise with a building’s roof, and understanding how serious the issue is will be critical to addressing it.
Before you get started on replacing your roof, make sure you perform these four checks to discern how extreme your roofing repairs need to be.
Dark Patches Appearing on Your Roof?
If you’ve noticed areas of your roof that have dark patches, this can mean that the layer of granules that the shingles are covered with has worn away. These granules protect the asphalt layer of the shingles from erosion caused by direct sunlight. Having a lot of dark patches on your shingles means that your roof has lost its protective coating. Your roof is now fully exposed to the elements, and will probably need to be replaced soon.
As well, if you noticed the presence of granules in your downspout or elsewhere around your property, you should consider replacing right away to avoid any leaks.
Obvious Damage to Your Shingles
One of the things involved in roof repair that can be easy to spot is damage to your shingles. When shingles begin to age, they can become brittle – and this can cause them to chip or break. While a broken shingle doesn’t mean that you need to have your entire roof replaced, you will want to make sure that any damaged shingles are repaired as soon as possible to prevent more serious damage.
If broken shingles are not replaced soon, they can contribute to roof leaks – which is a much more expensive problem to repair!
The Appearance of Moss Growth
While moss can seem like a non-hostile presence on your roof, it can actually be a sign that it’s time for you to look into roof repair. Because moss actually grows roots into your roof, it can end up expanding underneath your shingles and pulling them up – which compromises their ability to protect your roof from the elements.
While the problem of moss can be solved with a simple cleaning in some situations, a more extensive moss issue means that your roof will need to be completely replaced.
Check for shingles that are lifting up if it’s just a small patch of upturned shingles, your might want to consider roof repair now.
Empty Patches on Your Roof
A missing shingle might seem like it’s not a big deal, but it can actually mean that your roof is going to be in need of an overhaul sooner than you might think. Due to degradation over time, shingles can break down and be blown away by the wind. If you repair a shingle right away, you won’t have to replace your roof – but if you leave it too long, roof restoration and replacement might be a necessity after the next wind or rain storm!
If you’ve noticed certain damages to your roof, it can be a sign that you need to have your roof replaced as soon as possible. While there are certain things you can fix with easy replacement if you catch them in time, it’s important to keep an eye on things so that you can complete the roof repairs required and reduce your costs.
Roof issues are always easier and less expensive to fix when you spot them early, so don’t wait to address any problems; inspect your roof at least twice per year, and contact a roofing contractor at the first sign of trouble.
