A roof that’s well looked after will, in turn, look after you and your family. A leaking roof is always a warning sign that something needs to be attended to. There are several different warning signs to look out for to prevent a leaking roof. Here’s how you know when it’s time to call in a roofer.
Curled Or Missing Shingles
A visual inspection of your roof will help you to see if there are any missing or damaged shingles on your roof. This may require a close-up inspection by a roofing expert. Curling shingles can either be caused by water absorption or by hot air from your attic. When shingles curl, they lose their waterproof effectiveness and are susceptible to leaks. Missing shingles are also a common cause of roof leaks and can be caused by storms and high wind speeds. Hurricane season in Florida can contribute to damaged shingles. Roof repairs for hurricane season are therefore important to get sorted quickly so that further damage isn’t caused.
Check The Attic
It’s a good idea to check your attic ventilation from time to time. When an attic doesn’t have sufficient ventilation, hot air can be trapped inside. This can not only force your air-conditioner to work harder but can also bake your roof shingles. When roof shingles are subjected to this kind of heat, they tend to curl over time. Be sure to also check your rafters with every seasonal change as this is helpful to identify any small leaks that could be setting in.
Ceiling Spots
An easy way to look for small roof leaks is to check your ceiling for water stains that might be present. These stains can appear as a little spec or a more imposing dark spot. Either way, don’t look past them. Leaks can also appear around chimneys and vents around areas where flashing is present. Make sure that get these roof leaks fixed early as attending to a leak early on can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars later.
Damaged Flashing
Damaged flashing can easily occur when a new roof hasn’t been installed properly. It can also appear on an old roof that’s beginning to dry and crack. When flashing is damaged it loses its waterproofing ability and allows water to leak into your house. If the damage isn’t too severe, it is possible to repair the damaged flashing without having to replace the whole roof. A proper roof inspection will help to identify any areas of damaged flashing.
Algae & Mold
Algae and mold love to grow in warm, humid environments such as in South Eastern America. Fungi and algae are airborne and can, therefore, be carried onto your roof by the wind. Apart from staining your roof, algae can easily grow into small crevices where there could already be a leak brewing. Once algae start growing, it can cause further roof damage and is hard to remove.
Granule Loss
If you have asphalt shingles, a certain amount of granule loss is expected over time as your roof gets older. A way to check for this is to look for clumps of granules in your gutter system. You may also notice that your roof appears to be patchy. When too many granules are lost, your roof loses its protection from the elements and it may be time to replace your roof.
If you’re concerned about any of these warning signs, then it may be time to call in the roofing experts at AABCO Roofing. They offer high-quality, cost-effective solutions for all your roofing needs. Make sure that you take these warning signs seriously and get the roofing experts in.
