Do you need a new roof? It’s possible that you do and you don’t even know it. Or maybe you really are still hanging in there with your old roof. Either way, you want to know, right? So, what are some of the warning signs you need a new roof? What should you be watching for to make sure you’re prepared before you wind up with a big problem? Well, we’re going to take a look at some of the most important factors that you need to know.
Table of Contents
Constant Leaking
Constant Leaking – If you actually notice leaks that’s definitely a big sign that you need to do something. You may notice actual water dripping from your ceiling or down the walls or you may notice discoloration (which we’ll talk about in a moment). If you tend to get a lot of leaks when it rains or snows that’s a bad sign. If you’re getting leaks even when it hasn’t rained or snowed in a while that’s an even worse thing because it means that water is pooling somewhere in the upper areas of your home and that could be causing even more serious water damage.
Broken & Missing Shingles
Broken/Missing Shingles – If your shingles are starting to curl or to cup upwards or if you have granules missing off of asphalt shingles it’s a good idea that you need to at least get some repairs done to your roof. Broken or missing pieces from tile or metal roofs are another good sign that you’re going to need some help and that your roof is definitely in need of repairs. Remember, even a couple missing shingles can cause a big problem if you simply ignore them or let them continue to get worse over time.
Wall/Ceiling Discoloration – If your walls or ceilings are starting to have some discoloration it’s a sign that water is leaking down onto them. You may or may not actually see the water or moisture. It may be coming down the outside of the walls or the inside. But you’ll notice the change in the color of your walls as that moisture starts to build up and mold starts to grow. The color change also refers to the way that the water interacts with the wall itself and start to cause serious damage, even breaking down the wall itself from the inside out.
Excessive Pests – If pests are getting into your home it’s a sign that there’s a hole somewhere in the roof. This could be small pests, such as insects, or it could be large pests, such as birds and even raccoons or other rodents. You want to be on the lookout for any of these types of pests and you definitely want to know how they’re getting in. Just because you have a large number of pests doesn’t automatically mean that it’s a roof problem, but that’s going to be something to get checked out.
How Old Is Your Roof?
Age of Roof – If your roof is 20 years old or older you may want to get it looked at. This is especially true if you have an asphalt roof. If you have more durable types of roofs you may not need to get the roof looked at for longer. But if it’s starting to get a bit old you may at least want to get a professional out to look it over and see just what it might need or whether it’s doing fine. There’s definitely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion or having someone evaluate things who really knows what they’re doing.
Mold/Dark Streaks
If you can see dark streaks that’s probably mold growing. That’s something you need to get taken care of right away because untreated mold could begin to spread even more. Luckily, you may not need to actually replace your entire roof or even repair parts of it (unless some parts are really badly infested). For the most part you’ll be able to simply spray the roof with water and bleach to get rid of that mold. This could be one of the least expensive problems that you find with your roof because of that fact. If you’re looking for ways to repair your leaking roof, check out our blog post for more information.
You Can See Through
Okay, so this is probably a pretty obvious one, right? If you can see through your roof then there’s absolutely a problem. But it’s something we need to talk about. So, go to the highest room in your house which could be on the second floor or a higher floor. You want to look up toward the roof. If you have a ceiling you may need to look in an attic for an unobstructed view of the roof. Then, look for any light that seems to be shining through. Turn the lights off in the room you’re in and see if you can spot any brightness that’s coming in. That’s a sign you need to repair or fully replace your roof.
Sagging/Peeling Walls
If there’s too much water and moisture getting into your house it has to go somewhere. Some of it is going to be pooled in the upper levels of your home until there gets to be too much and it starts to leak downward. When that happens you could end up with sagging in the ceiling, which could also lead to peeling paint on the ceiling or walls. All of these things mean that there’s too much water sitting in one spot, and that it broke down everything around it (as water does).
Rot/Decay – Most of the types of roofs that are out there will be susceptible to some type of rot or decay. If that happens you absolutely need to get things taken care of. This means you’re not just going to replace the upper layers of the roof. You’re also going to need to replace a lot of the boards that are underneath it because they could be subject to rot and decay. The shingles or tiles or other materials on the top that are damaged are definitely going to need to be replaced at the same time.
Damaged Chimney Flashing/Chimney
If there’s damage to the chimney of your home or to the flashing around the chimney it’s a sign of a more extensive problem. That water and moisture can get into your home through that flashing and you definitely don’t want to deal with that mess. If you notice any damage to these two areas make sure that you’re getting it looked at and repaired quickly so you can make sure that it’s not causing problems.
Home Structure Problems
You may not even think about the fact that your roof could cause problems with the structure of your home as a whole, but it can. If you’re not careful about your roof and getting everything taken care of it can start to break down and that can start to weigh on specific parts of your foundation and cause strain there. You may not even realize that your home is leaning or pulling in one area or another, but it could be causing a serious strain on your foundation, which could cause it to crumble and break down any time.
Exterior Damage
Does the outside of your house seem a little bit rough? It’s entirely possible that’s because water is seeping down the outside of your home as well as the inside. You want to pay attention to the look of the exterior of your home as well as the interior. Watch for signs of leaks or signs of water running down. If you don’t have gutters this is going to be even more apparent and it’s going to be even more important to watch out for because you could end up with big problems.
High Energy Cost
If your energy costs are higher than they normally are then it could mean that your energy is getting out of the house somewhere. While that could be somewhere either than your roof, you want to make sure that you’re looking at the roof as a possible reason before you find yourself with even higher energy bills. One way to make sure this isn’t happening to you is to make sure that you monitor your bills every month, so you know when the bill goes up higher than you’re used to or when there’s something different about it.
Open Joints/Seams
Any joints or seams in your roof should be secure and they should be firmly sealed. If they’re not then it means that something can easily get in there. It could be small pests or it could be water seeping through when there’s rain or snow (or all of the above). Keep an eye on any of these areas to make sure nothing is open and nothing is getting through. You may need to do a little bit more close watching to make sure of this one because these joints may not be visible with the naked eye from the ground.
Rotten Eaves/Fascia
These are part of the decorative aspects of your home from the outside and while they could start having problems and be damaged on their own, there are other reasons that you could end up with damage to them as well. You want to be sure that you keep these areas clean and dry, which should happen on their own if these areas aren’t getting too much moisture from the rest of the roof. Rotting means that water isn’t getting away from the area and is instead pooling and causing a breakdown of the structure. That means the water is coming from somewhere.
Clogged Ventilation
There are specific ventilation areas within your roof that you want to keep an eye on. If these aren’t venting properly it could cause trouble for the inside of your home as well. You need air to be able to vent just right and the home to be able to breathe somewhat. If the vents are getting clogged because of damage to the roof or damage to different pieces of the roof then it’s going to mean additional problems down the road, so make sure you get them looked at more closely.
Loose Pipes and Structures
If there’s anything in or on your roof that isn’t completely sealed then moisture can easily get into your home around and through those sources. If you have a pipe that reaches through your roof and doesn’t have a good seal around it that’s a good spot for moisture and pests to get into the home and that’s definitely not something you’re going to want to deal with, right? Make sure you’re reinforcing any seals that start to wear out and pay attention to where there are seals (or where there should be) so you can find these warning signs you need a new roof.
There are a number of different things that could mean you have a problem with your roof. So, if you’re looking for warning signs you need a new roof hopefully these options and tips have helped you along. You don’t want to have to deal with big problems with your roof and you likely don’t want to have to replace it at all. The truth is, however, that you’ll eventually have to put a new roof on some house that you buy, so make sure you know what you’re looking for long before you actually get there. That’s going to help you save some money.
Taking Precautions & Moving Forward
So, make sure you’re watching out for each of these things and that you’re taking action if you notice them. After all, you don’t want to let anything go on any longer than absolutely necessary. That means making sure that you’re looking at your roof frequently and that you’re evaluating anything related to the roof and the rest of your home. If you’re noticing anything different, from this list of warning signs you need a new roof or not, you may want to get a professional out to your home to take a closer look at what’s going on and to make sure that it’s not associated with your roof.
If you’ve noticed any of these warnings signs you need a new roof, it is very critical to have a professional, C-39 licensed roofing contractor take a closer look to be able to accurately decide what needs to be done. Every roof is different and it is possible your roof has shown multiple warnings signs. Some might be obvious, and others very subtle. A professional can tell exactly what condition your roof is in after a thorough inspection. If you live in the Southern California regions, our Los Angeles roofing company will be happy to take a closer look at your roof with no cost to you.
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