Your house is likely one of your most prized possessions. It’s where your family lives, where you celebrate holidays, and it likely represents a large portion of your net worth. With all of this in mind, it is important that you do everything you can to protect your house. This is where a well-maintained roof comes in. Your roof acts like armor, protecting the rest of your house from the elements. Unfortunately, roofs are not invincible. Constant exposure to the elements wears them down over time and they do sustain damage. Recognizing this damage, and addressing it in a timely manner, is vital when it comes to ensuring that your roof does its job for as long as possible.
Cracked, Warped, or Peeling Shingles
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The most obvious damage usually involves the roof shingles themselves. Over time, shingles can become cracked, warped, or begin to peel or curl. This damage happens due to rain, snow, and constant exposure to the sun. You should also keep an eye out for little granules in your gutters. The presence of granules indicates that your shingles are deteriorating,
Get in the habit of visually inspecting shingles for damage regularly. Usually, having a look at the end of each season (especially winter) will keep you on top of things. Any damaged shingles should be replaced as soon as possible. Early replacement of damaged shingles will prevent damage from spreading to the underlying structure of the roof, which can result in needing a full roof replacement.
Moss, Mold, or Mildew Growth
It’s no surprise that roofs are constantly getting wet. This can make them the perfect environment for the growth of moss, mold, or mildew, especially if your home is in a shady area. Moss can act like a sponge, trapping water against the shingles. This will cause shingles to deteriorate at a much faster rate. Mold and mildew can eventually work their way under their shingles and into your home, posing a serious health risk to your family.
Moss, mold, and mildew can be recognized by green growth or dark streaks on your roof. Roof moss removal and mold/mildew treatment is best handled by a professional. They will be able to ensure that your roof is completely clean while using the proper equipment to mitigate the risk of injury.
Rising Energy Bills
Your home doesn’t just keep bad things out, it keeps good things in, such as your heating and cooling. A damaged roof is no longer properly sealed, providing an avenue for heating or cooling to escape. This will cause your HVAC system to have to work much harder to maintain a stable temperature in your home, which leads to an increased energy bill.
If you notice your energy bill creeping up, it may mean your roof needs to be repaired. The best way to notice this trend is to keep a record of your energy bills. This will allow you to notice trends in cost.
Leaks or Water Stains Inside
One of the most worrying signs of a damaged roof is the presence of leaks or water stains. Leaks are usually very hard to miss. It’s hard not to notice water dripping from the ceiling! Water stains are a little more subtle, but are still quite noticeable. They will appear as dark, brownish stains on your ceiling or walls.If you see leaks or water stains, you must act fast. This means that your roof is definitely damaged and is not performing its most important job of keeping the elements out. Water getting into your home’s structure can result in wood rot and other structural problems, which can be extremely expensive to repair. In fact, just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 of damage. This is much more expensive than simply fixing the leak when you first notice it.
Roof Age
Unfortunately, roofs do have a limited life span. You can expect a well-maintained asphalt shingle roof to have a useful lifespan of about 20-25 years. If your roof has reached this age, it may be time to have it redone. At the very least, you should have an inspection done. The inspector will be able to tell you how worn out your roof is and point out any issues that need immediate attention.
Replacing a roof can be a large expense, but it really is a necessary part of home ownership. If you allow an old roof to remain on your home past its lifespan, you will eventually experience catastrophic damage, such as the roof seriously leaking, sagging, or even collapsing.
What to Do About Roof Damage
When it comes to roof damage, the worst thing you can do is wait. Roof damage will not go away on its own. It will simply get worse and lead to serious structural damage to your home. As soon as you notice damage, you need to contact Zhumas for professional roof repair services. Our experts can identify any and all damage to your roof. We can then fix the damage using the best materials, helping your roof to have a long life of keeping your home and your family safe.