Your home’s roof does more than protect you from the rain, and it should be kept in decent shape. Otherwise, a minor storm may cause more damage than you think, and you’ll be on the hook for costly repairs. Thankfully, repairing the roof isn’t too hard, and it’s something you should do every few years. Here are a couple of signs that it’s about time to repair yours soon.
1. Your Roof Is Older Than You, or Pretty Close
One of the biggest signs your roof needs some work on is its age. Most materials only have lifespans of a few decades, so anything older could be trouble. Assuming you’re a relatively young homeowner, the roof should be younger than you are, and if it’s not, get a new one.
If you bought the home recently, check out the paperwork from the sale to see how old the current roof is. Most homes have asphalt shingles, which can last for up to 50 years. Yet, most recommend replacing them once they’re more than 20 years old if they’re damaged.
A slate roof may last longer, so it depends on the type of roof you have on the home. When the roof is made of metal, it’ll last even longer, and copper can last up to 80 years if you’re lucky.
2. Cracked or Missing Shingles
Let’s assume your home has a standard asphalt shingle roof, and it’s not too old, either. In that case, you can inspect it for damage to see if it needs any work, and that’s not too much to ask usually. Generally, you’ll notice if there is a missing shingle, even if you never climb up there, but other damage may hide.
Grab a ladder, climb up on the roof, and look around for any signs of cracking. A cracked shingle is only going to stay on the roof for a little while, and it may be leaking already. Pay close attention to common weak spots like valleys while inspecting them. Anywhere with direct sunlight will wear faster than surrounding spots, so check there. Contacting professionals who specialize in roof repair in Austin is a good idea since it’ll stop the home from losing value.
3. There Are Sagging Spots Up There
Hopefully, none of your shingles seem to be in bad shape when you’re doing a visual inspection. Even if they’re all in perfect condition, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear if the roof sags. Sagging roofs indicate there’s water damage to the decking, which is what supports it.
Sometimes, the decking gets wet when it rains, and it may not dry out, leading to damage. If that happens, then you’ll notice certain spots on the roof seem like they’re caving in on themselves. As long as you feel safe, try walking on the roof and see how it feels on that spot. It’s time to contact a roof repair crew when it feels like it’s made out of a sponge.
4. Your Flashing Is Falling Apart
Anywhere the roof meets a joint, flashing prevents water penetration, preventing most damage. Flashing tends to wear out quicker than other parts of the roof, although that’s not always the case. Usually, it’s meant to last for about 30 years as long as it’s made of aluminum or steel. Yet, these materials can rust or corrode, lowering the useful lifespan.
If you notice cracked flashing while inspecting the roof, you need to contact a repair crew to fix it to stop leaks. Otherwise, your roof won’t be watertight, and even a little rain could lead to issues.
5. Water Is Leaking on the Interior Floor
How does the roof act when it’s raining? If there’s any water dripping on the floor, it’s time to replace the roof and get a new one. Letting water leak through the roof can create a lot of long-term damage, and you don’t want that as a homeowner.
As soon as you see water drip on the floor, call someone to check out the roof, or the damage will spread. The quicker you respond to problems like that, the less damage will happen to the house.
How to Tell When It’s Time for a New Roof
Getting a new roof may not be what you had in mind when you were thinking about what to do this weekend. Yet, leaving the roof alone when there’s damage would be plain irresponsible. Regularly checking the roof to see if it needs repairs is the smart way to go about things.
