Roofs tend to last a long time as long as nothing disastrous and unavoidable happens. That’s a good thing, but it also makes homeowners think about them less, and unfortunately, neglect their maintenance needs.
Just like any other part of your home, your roof requires regular repairs and maintenance, and eventually, replacement.
Today, we’re going to help you stay on your toes and handle those needs properly with five signs your roof needs repairs that you should look out for.
1. Leaks and Water Damage Within the Home
One of the first signs you’ll see, even if you aren’t necessarily paying attention to your roof, is the beginning of water damage. This can manifest itself in a few different ways.
The most noticeable is a visible leak. Water dripping from your ceiling is almost certainly an issue with the roof, and it’s the most obvious sign within the home that you’re having roofing issues.
In many cases (especially when caused by sudden storm damage), you may find that the leak is covered by the homeowner’s insurance – a good reason to act quickly.
Water damage can be quite subtle. You might notice water stains running down your walls. This is because there’s a leak behind the walls, and it takes a while for that to create noticeable effects.
This can also happen to the ceiling, or you might get what look like large bubbles on your ceiling. Those bubbles are water trapped behind the layers of paint from a leak in the roof.
Mildew and mold are extremely common signs that you have a roof problem, but they’re often not noticed until the infestation is severe. This is due to it being behind walls and not having dramatic effects at first.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to take a look at your roof and call a roofer for an inspection.
2. Bald Spots
Most roofs in the US are made with asphalt shingles. They’re inexpensive, last a good while, and perform admirably. However, they also tend to blow off in the wind as they age.
That’s one of the reasons many homeowners are now considering metal roofs, which are far more resistant to wind damage and tend to last significantly longer.
If you take a look at your roof and notice bald spots, even small ones, call a reliable exterior contractor. It’s important to get this dealt with when it’s a minor problem, rather than dealing with it after years of damage have accumulated and you need a whole new roof and interior repairs.
3. Curled Shingles
As shingles age, are exposed to the sun and water, and generally corrode, you’ll notice one tell-tale sign that it’s time for a repair or even a full replacement. The edges of the shingles will curl up.
Now, this might not seem like a major issue outside of aesthetics, but it does mean that your shingles are in serious disrepair, and you need to either replace them or get ready to replace your roof and deal with more expensive problems in the years to come.
Shingles are layered in a way that lets water and debris slide down them without finding cracks to seep through and cause damage. When the shingles curl up, they prevent that from happening.
Also, if the shingles are old enough to be curling, there are likely lots of little cracks and bald spots that you might not notice, and they will allow various types of damage to occur.
In fact, this is one area where metal roofs are better than shingles, as they don’t curl, crack, or lose granules over time.
4. Unavoidable Damage from Storms
This is actually two things that you need to consider.
First and foremost, if you have to deal with an unavoidable circumstance such as a storm or flying debris hitting your roof and visibly damaging it, call for repairs immediately.
Unfortunately, you can’t do much about this sort of thing, but that’s part of why your roof is there, and it’s doing its job. You have to do yours and fix it up after it takes those hits.
However, the damage isn’t always visible. You can have a rough hailstorm and not notice any damage. A lot of people look at their roofs, notice everything is intact, and they go about their day.
Well, there can be hidden damage that leads to major issues. When this happens, call an inspector to ensure that nothing has happened that you can’t see.
Neglecting either of these issues can easily result in a minor problem becoming a much bigger issue. If the damage is significant enough, and you’re nearing the end of your roof’s lifespan, you might even consider replacing your roof during winter – a time when roofers are often more available and materials can sometimes be less expensive.
5. Sagging
Your roof should be perfectly straight, no matter what. If you notice that it’s dipping or sagging in various areas, even just a little bit, you have a major issue. There’s a weak point somewhere in the roof, and it’s not holding up the weight of the roof as it should. At best, neglecting this issue will lead to far more costly repairs both for the roof and your home. At its worst, it can collapse and be a danger to you and your family.
Luckily, it tends to be a noticeable problem that creates other issues that trigger homeowners to seek repairs before that point, but it’s worth knowing what type of problem you’re potentially dealing with.
If you catch this problem early and take action, it’s likely to only need fairly minor repairs instead of full replacements or serious structural repairs.
Act On These Signs Immediately
When you notice any of these things, it’s time to start taking action. Yes, your roof might hold up for a few years, or it might not cause too many disruptive problems right away, but roofing is not cheap, and you’re gambling with the safety of your home.
Even with the most minor issues, taking action right away will give you a little more leeway to fund repairs, work with the best roofer, and generally avoid the rush that leads to mistakes.
Trust the Best in Charlotte – Trust Macaw Construction Services
Roofing is serious work, and you need to know that the company working on your roof is one you can trust. After all, it’s not cheap, and you want results that last.
If you need your roof inspected, repaired, or even replaced due to major issues, Macaw Construction Services is the company you can rely on! We’re the most trusted name in Charlotte, and we’ll get you the results you need.
But our expertise doesn’t stop at roofing! In addition to roof repair and replacement, we also provide high-quality siding and gutter repairs, window replacements, and even custom deck construction services to help improve both the functionality and curb appeal of your home.Contact us today for a free estimate and see why homeowners across Charlotte and the surrounding areas trust us for all their exterior home improvement needs!
