Needing a new roof may seem like a no-brainer, especially if you have a leak, are losing shingles, or are noticing a great deal of sediment when cleaning your gutters. But there are other perhaps not so obvious reasons why it may be time to have your roof inspected and possibly replaced.
- Strong wind gusts can easily cause falling tree limbs leading to potential roof damage that isn’t always obvious. Smaller branches can abrade the shingle surface causing granule loss and ultimately creating damaging interior leaks, along with open spaces that insects and small animals can access. Branches that aren’t promptly removed can hasten roof rot and decay by trapping moisture underneath. This may not be discovered until the home’s interior ceilings have been breached.
- Summer storms often produce damaging hail which in turn can damage roofs. After a hailstorm it is important to either inspect your roof yourself or call in a professional. Are there cracked shingles? Shingles which are dimpled or bruised? Or missing sections where the black shingle foundation or substrate is visible? Any and all of these conditions will require some form of roof maintenance and repair; and if the damage is extensive, the entire roof may need to be replaced.
- Do you know the age of your roof? It could be old age is catching up with your roof as the average asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of between 12 to 15 years. There may be obvious signs as an older roof often will begin to show indications of embrittlement, along with shrinking and cracking.
- Notice dark streaks on your roof? Dark streaks are created from airborne algae. While the algae aren’t harmful and are fairly easy to remove, over time they can cause the protective UV shingle granules to flake off.
- Another good way of checking the condition of your roof is checking the attic. Take a flashlight and carefully examine around the eaves, plumbing vent pipes and roof vents as well as the entire attic ceiling. There should be no visible exterior light coming through, no standing water puddles, no water stains or streaks, or signs of mold or mildew.
Not sure of your roof’s condition? Call Closing Contractor today at 864-326-2640 and let us make sure it’s in tip-top shape before the colder weather arrives.
