Signs You Need to Have Your Roof Repaired

 

The roof of a home is one of those things that no one pays attention to, unless it stops doing its job. However, roof damage can be a bit less obvious to spot; if it is left for too long, it can become more expensive to fix for homeowners. How exactly do you spot that your roof may need a bit of TLC?

Water Damage

A damaged roof is rarely an obvious thing, unless there has recently been a storm and a tree has fallen through it.

There are a lot of people out there who may have water damage on the upper floor of their home. This can look like brown patches on the ceiling, as well as a musty smell. This can also lead to the growth of mold. It can also be more insidious, looking like peeling paint or wallpaper that doesn’t attach to the wall properly, due to moisture running underneath it and causing it to fall off.

You can paint over this, but it is only recommended that you do so after you have had the roof assessed by roofing service providers and that any damage has been repaired. This saves you money on paint.

Missing Shingles

Do you have missing shingles on your roof?

This will vary based on what your roof is made from, but generally, if you see missing or curled tiles/shingles in your driveway or your garden, this is a sign you need to have your roof repaired. The reason is simple; you don’t want to expose the underlayer or the decking to the wind and rain, as this ups the chance of the aforementioned water damage from happening.

So, falling tiles, broken tiles, or missing tiles equate to an urgent roofing job being needed, especially if you live in an area with high winds.

Granules

This relates to the missing shingles, but it is slightly different.

If you clean your home's gutters and you find sand-like material that is black, this can point to asphalt shingles wearing out and needing to be repaired. Much like shingles that are missing, shingles that are shedding can compromise the integrity of your home's roof.

Higher Energy Bills

Nobody wants higher energy bills. So, it should be noted that the average home loses 25%of the heat through the roof because the heat rises.

If you notice that you are having to put the heat on more in your home or that the upper floors feel unusually cold, even with the heating on, this is a sign that there is likely an issue with the roof that needs to be looked at. Usually, it will be lost tiles, a slight crack, or even damage to the underlay. Interestingly, a damaged roof may also not be able to let go of heat as it needs to, which can cause your attic to become overheated. If you have an HVAC system, this can cause it to work overtime, leading to higher energy costs again.

When you own your home, you should aim to have the roof assessed once a year, to spot any issues and manage them quickly, saving you money now and on future heating bills.