The last thing any homeowner wants is for their roof to fail them.
Your roof is an important part of your house, though one that you might not think about very much. It’s the source of the expression “keeping a roof over your head,” which connotates a level of comfort and safety. Keeping your roof safe from the elements will help it keep you safe.
When your roof stops doing its job, you’re in big trouble.
In this post, we’re going to tell you 8 crucial signs that your roof is about to fall. The sooner you can recognize and deal with these problems, the cheaper; and more importantly, the safer you’re going to be in your house.
1. Broken or Missing Shingles
One of the most obvious signs of roof damage is damaged or missing shingles. Stand back from your house so that you can take in the entire roof and look for spots where shingles are missing. You might be able to find them around the house somewhere, but they could have also blown away.
It’s normal for the odd shingle to come loose and fall off, but if it’s happening often, then your roof could be in trouble. Similarly, if you notice shingles curling up or breaking, then it’s likely that they’re too old and need to be replaced.
2. Interior Leaking
When you start seeing water damage in the upper parts of your house, it could be directly related to a breach in your roof. It doesn’t take much either. Just a small gap where parts meet or a few missing shingles and you’re left exposed to the elements.
Not only is this dangerous for when a bad storm hits, which is yearly in Houston, but you’re also likely to get mold if you don’t notice the leak fast enough. This presents an entirely new set of challenges that are annoying to live with and expensive to fix.
3. Granules in the Gutter
Granules are the little bits of crushed stone and minerals that make up your shingles. They protect your shingles from deteriorating in the sun, so when they start falling off, your roof is going to be more vulnerable to the weather.
It’s completely normal for these to come off and end up on your gutters and in your yard. When you get new shingles installed, you’ll notice an excess of granules coming off of the roof, which is no cause for alarm.
It’s when your roof shingles have been around for a few years and the granules start coming off that you’ve got a reason to worry. Check your gutters regularly for them and notify your roofer if there are too many for your liking.
4. The Roof Looks Saggy
Obviously, you never want your roof to sag. This could be happening for a multitude of reasons, one of which is that it was installed improperly. It could also be that the roof has supported too much weight or that it’s simply too old and needs to be replaced.
It’s probably not something you think to check for, but you’ll know when your roof is sagging. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you see something amiss on your roof because if the problem is causing your roof to sag, you might not have much time left.
5. Pests Are Getting Too Comfortable
When rodents and insects start making themselves at home in your roof, you should be very concerned. Animals like raccoons and squirrels can cause big problems for roofs when they spend enough time nesting in them. As far as insects go, you should keep a close eye on termites because they can cause huge amounts of damage.
If you suspect that you’ve got an infestation, you should call an exterminator at once. It doesn’t take long for these pests to do a number on your roof.
6. Bills Are Getting More Expensive
Your heating and cooling bills are a good indication of the quality of airflow and insulation you’re getting from your windows and roof. Specifically, with your roof, your soffit vents are really important for keeping cool air moving into your attic and warm air moving out.
If it gets too humid in your attic, it can rot your insulation and cause your AC to have to work harder to cool your house. The same is true for your heating in the winter. Check your soffit vents to make sure that nothing is obstructing their ability to create airflow.
7. Rusted Flashing
Flashing is the metal bits that roofers use to divert water away from vulnerable areas of your roof. They’re usually around any roof features (skylights, chimneys, etc.) and anywhere that your roof plane meets a wall.
When these things start to get rusty, they need to be replaced or else there’ll be a domino effect with other parts of your roof. If the flashing isn’t doing its job, then you’ll eventually start to see interior leaking, which we already know, can cause a huge headache.
8. It’s Really Old
A roof isn’t something that’s going to last you forever. You need to replace shingles and keep an eye on it, especially after bad storms, to make sure that it’s still intact. An older roof is always going to be more vulnerable than a new one, regardless of how well-maintained it is.
It’s not a bad idea to have it looked at somewhat regularly by a professional. They can tell you what’s wearing down, what needs to be replaced immediately, and what you should keep an eye on to prevent more expensive issues down the line.
Learning How to Keep Your Roof Safe and Sound
Is your roof safe?
Not enough people consider the consequences of neglecting to maintain the quality of their roof. And it almost always ends up bad.
Don’t let your roof fail you. At Fitz Roofing, we’ll inspect it and make sure it’s up to our standards.
We specialize in roof repair and replacements, so contact us and you’ll be in good hands.
