One of the most important parts of your house is probably among the most neglected too. And we don’t blame you. The roof is perhaps quite difficult to check and maintain every once in a while because you do not see them, or pass them by, or clean them every day – or every month for that matter. Don’t be too ashamed. In fact a lot of people admit to forgetting about their roofs until the roof reminds them of its presence by leaking. Roofs do have ways of getting your attention when they have had enough.
When is that exactly? How do you know your roof has had enough? Here are some signs that it’s just about ready to give up.
Curly Shingles
Shingles curl either upward or downward. It doesn’t matter which kind of curling you see on your roof because both are clear signs of weathering. Expect leaks real soon. You would probably need to replace it within the next five years, if you decide to keep it for a little while longer.
Missing Pieces
If you are missing entire pieces of shingles, it may still be ok to just replace the shingles per piece. That is, if it’s alright with you that some of your shingles are of a different shade, because you wouldn’t find shingles with the exact same colour as yours. If your roof starts looking like a checkers board though, perhaps it’s time to replace the whole thing already.
Crack Attack
Cracks are generally damages caused by strong winds. If you see cracks in one area, that’s fine, and you can replace those. But if there are cracks all over or in random places, then it means your roof is really weathered.
Granules in the Gutter
If you have had your roof for about a decade or more, and you start to see granules in the gutter, it’s not a good sign. Granules protect the asphalt from the sun and once they’re gone, you can be sure that your roof will start deteriorating really fast.
You do not need to wait for leaks to happen before you replace your roof. In fact you can replace them if you feel like it’s not that safe to have it over your head anymore, or even when you find a new roofing system that would suit your home better.
In any case, when you see any of these signs, call your trusted contractor to check it. Only professional roofers can really determine if your roof is beyond repair and it’s now time to replace it.
