A lot of our previous customers assumed that if their roof wasn’t leaking, it must’ve been fine. To their surprise though, contacting us early saved them money spent in the long term on repair water damage and other miscellaneous costs that can occur. If you learn to spot signs of roof damage before leaks happen, you’ll save yourself some headaches.
Granules in gutters
As your roof ages, the granules on the surface of shingles start becoming detached. They will rinse off the roof in the rain and go into your gutters. A few granules here and there isn’t usually a cause for concern, but if you’re finding handfuls of granules in your gutters, your roof shingles are near the end of their life and it’s time to call your roofing company for a free inspection.
Peeling shingles
If the shingles along the edges or corners of your roof start to peel or curl, your roofing contractor may be able to replace those if it’s a few shingles. It’s important to replace them promptly because when left in place, leaks can develop and the wooden underlayment can start to rot which causes the roof to sag. Peeling shingles can also be caused by poor insulation if it happens in the winter. Inadequate attic insulation causes ice dams to form along the edge of the roof. Adding more insulation can keep that from happening.
Missing or damaged flashing
Flashing is metal material that is located on the edges of chimneys and valleys where two sections of a roof join together. Flashing can start to peel away or works itself loose at any time. When this occurs, water can start to seep under the shingles which leads to leaks and damage to your underlayment. Flashing can also be caused by drying and cracking on older roofs.
Buckling
Buckling of asphalt and fiberglass shingles is a fairly common occurrence, although it usually occurs in the first year after installation and sometimes diminishes over time. The most common cause appears to be movement in the roof sheathing with changes in moisture levels. When plywood sheathing picks up moisture, it expands. If the sheathing is properly gapped, then the gaps can close causing the shingles spanning the gap to buckle. The lack of adequate attic ventilation can increase moisture cycling in the roof sheathing, adding to the problem.
Don’t wait until your roof is leaking to call a roofing company. If you ever notice any of the signs we mentioned above, contact our office to schedule your free roof inspection.
