Roof Insulation –The Complete Guide

We all know how important it is to have a roof over our heads. It gives us a sense of security and value for our existence. When something goes wrong with the roof system, and the weather directly affects us, it doesn’t feel like home anymore. But the good news is that there’s something we can do about it watch the signs and respond appropriately.

There are many signs you can expect from roofs that tell you, “I’m exhausted, I’ll only serve a few months, or you must replace me now!” If you dare ignore these signs, you open room for additional damage, you potentially spend more money on the repairs and replacement, and probably lose your property. To avoid this, here are signs to watch out for:

Your shingles could start curling in two ways. First, the shingle edges turn upwards in a process called cupping. And second, the middle section lifts in a process known as weathering. Severe cupping and weathering lead to leaks and are obvious signs that your roof has served its time and needs a roof replacement. 

That means that the initial stages of these conditions is a sign to start saving for a new roof system. Experts say cupping and weathering could still last for about four years before you can replace the roof.

Roofs like anything else have their expiry dates. An Asphalt shingle, for instance, can handle a maximum of 30 years of use. That means that the 25th anniversary is a sign to prepare for a new roofing system in the next five years. Any roof that’s older than thirty-five years is already in bad condition that needs replacement even if it looks good from far.

If you live in a neighborhood that has similar houses as yours, you might start seeing your neighbors replacing their roofs. That’s a good sign that you also need to do the same.

If you’ve not been kin with your roof, you might one-day notice water dripping in the house through the ceiling on a rainy day. It all starts with a small drip and later builds up into a big downpour. Sometimes, it’s staining on the ceiling and walls. But regardless of how you find the water, that is a sign that your roof is damaging and needs attention.

To catch leaking issues early, schedule regular roof inspections with local roofing experts. Your contractor should inspect skylight windows, chimneys, and the shingles to find the origins of the leaks. Investigating if the attic has water after windy rains can help you successfully repair the water access areas.

Cracked or breaking shingles shows that they are bowing to weather elements. If it’s just the sections of the roof that are affected, then you’ll need to replace the shingles. But if the situation is widely spread, then that’s a sign you need a new roof. With continuous maintenance, your roof can still last for five years enough time to save and invest in a new roof.

Critter roof infestation happens all the time for various reasons. Animals like squirrels and raccoons enjoy accessing damaged roofs and even start families there. But movements in the roof do not always mean you need to replace it. Instead, check around the house and determine where these creatures are coming from. A roof inspection will come in handy to understand the extent of the damage these creatures have caused. You might also want to bring in a fumigator if there’s a significant insect infestation.

Another signal that you need to watch out for and take immediate action is missing shingles. Just like in the case of broken shingles, you should replace the shingles that are missing. But understand that getting quality shingles that match your roof is not going to be easy. The granule colors often vary with every production, and if your roof is an old school version, you can tell how significant the change has been. Even if you had saved shingles during your installation, you should still expect color differences due to weathering.

If your roof has been in place for a long time and you start noticing granules in the gutter, then that’s a sign you should start thinking about replacing the roof. It’s the work of the granules to keep the sun away from the asphalt shingles. So when they fall off like this, they expose your roofing system to sunshine, and it will end up deteriorating fast. The fall of granules indicates that your roof has served half its lifespan, and you should be preparing to install another one soon.

Moss and algae developing on your roof is no reason to panic but can influence its aesthetics. You don’t want this, particularly on a commercial roofing system. Most people tend to scrub and wash away all this dirt but, we advise against this because it will only clear the granules, which will reduce the lifespan of your shingles.

The best solution to moss and algae on a roof is to use a mix of one part water and one part bleach to clear them. Or install zinc strips at the top parts of the roof to slowly eliminate the problem. The other solution is to replace the roof system with algae-resistant tiles.

Seeing through the roof from your artic is a clear sign that you need to repair or replace your roof system. Sometimes you’ll notice a thin ray of light penetrating through the holes or small drips of water on a rainy day. If you leave the holes unattended, that allows wind, water, and snow to penetrate through making the problem bigger.

The solution to this is often to patch the small holes or replace the entire roof if the reason behind them is old age and structural damage.

If you notice your roof sagging, this should immediately tell you that there’s a structural problem you must attend. Often, it’s an issue with the attic decking, or worse, the foundational supports of the roof.

Any roofing problem that comes as a result of poor roof structure should be addressed as soon as possible. If you let the problem persist, it could expose the occupants to imminent danger. Doing this early is also a lot easier, as well as cost-effective.

Noticing the signs we’ve mentioned above is a good thing and shouldn’t be a reason to panic. What you need to do is to reach out to a roofing repair and replacement expert to help. They’ll come on board and investigate the extent of the damage, advise you accordingly, and offer solutions depending on the underlying problem. Just remember that if you wait too long, the damage increases and could lead to severe destruction and additional expenses.