Spring used to be the kite-flying season in the northern states. Now it seems that high wind advisories are issued during every season of the year. Those high winds can cause roof damage, as can hail, ice and snow, heavy rain, downed tree limbs and other hazards.
Finding roof shingles in your yard is an obvious sign that you need a new roof or roof repairs, but there are a number of other signs that your roof should be replaced, some more obvious than others.
Don’t ignore the subtle signs of a failing roof because it can lead to disaster quickly.
Gutter Clutter
Standard asphalt roof shingles are made of layers of material. The outermost layer, the one you see, is made of crushed rock granules which are pressed into the surface of the asphalt layer underneath. These granules protect the asphalt from the harmful effects of UV rays, which can age the asphalt.1
Once the granules wear off, the asphalt in your shingles is exposed and the shingles begin to curl. Shingles generally shed some granules when they are first installed and throughout their life cycle.
If it has been a while since your home got a new roof and you see a large amount of these granules in your gutters, or a pile of granules washes out of your downspouts after a heavy rain, it is time to call a roofing specialist to evaluate the condition of your roof.
Misshapen Shingles and Other Exterior Damage
When asphalt shingles are installed they lay flat on a roof. If you notice that your shingles aren’t flat, it is a sign that you need to get your roof evaluated by a professional. The industry uses the terms cup, curl and claw to describe different shingle conditions.
Cupping and curling are when the shingles start to point upward and clawing is when the middle of the shingles pull away from the roof while the ends remain in contact with the roof.2 One of the most obvious places you will notice shingle shape issues is at the edges of the roof.
While you are inspecting your roof, also look at the soffits, the roof flashing, the area around your chimneys or skylights, and the valleys where water flows off the roof.
Ceiling and Wall Issues
By the time you notice that water is seeping into your home through your roof you will have to pay for both a new roof and repair of the damaged ceiling, attic insulation and any other structural damage that may have occurred.
The most obvious evidence of a roof leak is yellow, brown or copper-colored spots on your ceiling, but a crack in the ceiling can also indicate a moisture issue.
Walls are another area where roof leaks can show up. If you see that your walls have stains, sagging, bulging or soft spots you could have water damage from a bad roof. If an area of your home smells like mold, you could have a roof issue. Mold loves drywall and can form in wall cavities within 24 to 48 hours after a water leak. If you smell mold and can’t find the source of the smell, hire a professional to get to the root cause of the issue.
Aging
While antiques can be valuable, an antique roof is not. Roofing materials have an expected life cycle. The most common type of roof, an asphalt shingle roof, lasts about 15 to 30 years.3 If you put a new asphalt shingle roof over an old asphalt shingle room you can cut the lifespan in half.4
Slate, copper and tile roofs can be expensive but they generally last more than 50 years.5 Metal roofs, which are becoming more popular, are projected to last between 40 and 70 years.6 These lifespan projections are just estimates and depend on the climate, weather patterns, repairs and maintenance and other factors.
There have been a number of class action suits won against asphalt shingle companies for defective products, so the product quality when manufactured can also factor into how long your shingles last.
If you notice that all your neighbors are starting to replace roofs that were installed at the same time as yours, you should probably contact a professional to evaluate the condition of your roof. Another sure sign you may need a new roof is the growth of moss or algae.
Fixing issues caused by a leaking roof can be very expensive. Most professional roofing contractors offer free roof inspections and reports, so it doesn’t pay to wait until actual problems appear inside your home.
Contact a Roofing Specialist
Your home is probably your biggest investment, so maintaining it for the long term means paying attention to the signs it needs to be fixed. Your home’s roof is no exception. If the roof is failing, it can lead to problems inside and out. Excel Home improvement in Romulus is the contractor to call for an inspection that will set you straight.
We are an exterior home improvement company with a reputation of quality work and products. We use leading industry materials backed warranty. Our home improvement services include roof installation and repair, gutter installation as well as siding repair and installation. If your home is displaying any of these signs or you have other questions or concerns, contact us today! Free Estimates
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1 The Anatomy of a Shingle, by Alex Pecora, 2/14/2022
Link: https://blog.certainteed.com/2022/02/the-anatomy-of-a-shingle/
2 9 Signs You Need A New Roof by Tom Scalisi and Lowe Saddler, 3/28/2022
Link: https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/exterior/signs-you-need-new-roof/
3 Solved! This is How Long You Can Expect Your Roof to Last, by Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila, 1/25/2022
Link: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-long-does-a-roof-last/
4 6 Signs Your Roof Needs to be Replaced by Candace Nelson, 9/26/2022
Link: https://www.angi.com/articles/7-warning-signs-you-need-new-roof.htm
5 From Fridge to Roof, How Long You Can Expect 10 Major Home Components to Last by Geoff Williams, 3/14/2022
Link: https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/family-finance/articles/how-long-can-you-expect-your-roof-or-fridge-to-last#
6 How Long Do Metal Roofs Last? by Kaylee Beattle, 9/7/2021
Link: https://www.bridgersteel.com/blog/how-long-do-metal-roofs-last#