Roofing is a type home improvement expense that most people don’t typically plan for. In fact, most homeowners only think about their roofing when they are having issues after a snowstorm, hail storm or substantial wind. To reduce the amount of repair costs you could be faced with when experiencing roofing issues, it’s best to have your roof looked at relatively often.
Start with these five tips below to know if it’s time to call your local roofing company.
1. The Roof is Leaking
A homeowner can easily notice they have a leak when it starts to drip into their living room or bedroom from the ceiling. It’s even easier to tell that you have a roofing issue when there are visible areas of your ceiling with stains and watermarks or yellow sections of the ceiling. In either instance, you should call a roofing company as soon as possible to find out what materials need to be repaired or replaced.
2. Cracking, Bowing & Curling
If you see any cracks in the walls surrounding your home, a damaged gutter system, bowing shingles or curling edges on your existing shingles, it’s time to call a roofer for an inspection. Any one of these issues can cause more problems as time goes on if not addressed quickly.
3. Blistering, Peeling and Flaking
If you have noticed areas of your roof where the shingles are blistering, peeling or flaking over time, it’s a good idea to call a professional for some timely advice on what materials need to be repaired or replaced. In some cases, if your roof is over 20 years old, it may be time to have a complete roof replacement performed.
4. Dark Spots
One of the most overlooked but important tips is to survey your roof for dark spots that aren’t shingle-related. These black dots can be an indication of missing granules in asphalt roofs and moss growth on non-asphalt roofs. If this is the case for your home, contact a roofer who provides complete moss treatment and restoration services. The sooner you act on this, the better.
5. Shingles Are Stacked
When inspecting your roof, it’s best to hire a contractor who will inspect the front and back of your roof for any issues that may need to be repaired or replaced. When you notice that the shingles on one side of your home are stacked higher than the other, this is a good indication that they need to be re-shingled soon.
Immediate Roof Repair
If you experience major roofing issues just after a storm (like a ceiling caving in), you need to contact a roofing company right away. Although it’s not likely, the damage to the roof could become a safety issue for you and your family. Most roofing companies will offer emergency repair services. If you feel your roof is in immediate need of repair, call an emergency contractor right away.
Get a Roof Inspection Often
While you may be used to only getting a roof inspection when purchasing a home, it’s recommended to get one every 2-3 years. A qualified roofer like the Denver roofing company National Home Improvement will keep your roof’s information on file so you know what to expect in terms of future repairs.
Keep these tips in mind to mitigate your roofing issues and repair costs.