Most of us invest thousands of dollars in our home’s interior without paying any attention to the roofing until water drips from it. If your home is around 15 years old, then it is time to think about roof replacement.
To get an idea if your roof needs replacement, you should check how long ago it has been installed or replaced or from which material it is made.
Ignoring minor roof issues for long may cause immense problems, so inspect your roof by checking these signs that will help you know whether your roof needs replacement.
Tips of self-inspection of roof (signs of roof replacement)
Apart from the age of the roof, there are many other reasons for roof damage. Mostly the ceiling remains in its fully functional state for 15 to 20 years but few environmental factors do not allow the roof to complete its life span.
Roof inspection does not have hard and fast roles. You can assuredly assess the remaining useful life of the roof by observing these signs.
Damaged Shingles
Although asphalt shingles may add value to your roof, it does not mean your roof will never get damaged. You have to inspect it after a storm or heavy rain. In an undamaged roof, the shingle will remain flat, but in the other case, it will give a cup-like appearance.
Cracked, damaged, and buckling shingles shows that your roof needs replacement. A change in the color of roof shingles is an indication of roof replacement.
The reason for shingles damage, buckled or curling are:
- Improper ventilated roof
- Moisture in the loft space
Growth of Moss
Part of the roof that receives little sunlight or moist place of the ceiling has greater chances of moss growth.
If you are an inhabitant of the area where the moisture content remains low throughout the year, then there are fewer chances of roof damage through mosses.
The mosses may grow as a thin layer or as a thick mat if not removed. The moss likes damp places, so it grows under the shingles and damages it by changing its shape.
You can remove the moss by using a dry or liquid moss killer if the growth is not heavy. If there is a thick mat-like growth, then there is no solution other than roof replacement.
Once this small shrub grows over the wooden roof, it is harder to kill or remove it. Ask your roof replacer to use asphalt or composite shingles along with roof material.
Fungal or mold growth due to moisture
Fungal growth commonly occurs not only on the roof but also on the ceiling after heavy rain. This may happen because a moist environment is favorable for mold or some fungus, and reproduction or growth increases in such an environment.
The molds grow in the form of black cottony patches, and it continues its growth if they get moisture. Sometimes black, brown, grey, or green patches may also form. The fungal growth results in a nasty smell, so it can be easily identified.
Application of bleach solution over the place where fungal growth occurs can remove them if the impact of fungal growth is not much.
Algal formation
Algal growth may also occur on the roof shingles and disturb the look of your home. Due to algal or bacterial growth, black streaks appear on the roof called tar streaking. In this case, you can replace the ceiling to maintain its beauty.
Missing granules
Another sign of roof damage is the breaking-off of the shingles in the form of small pieces and granules. If you are seeing the coarse granules or pieces of shingles in the gutter, this means your roof will not tolerate this rainy season, and your roof will start dripping water.
Take expert opinion
If the damage is significant, seek out an expert opinion from a licensed, trusted roofing company such as Blue Ladder Roofing. They will Keenly inspect the degree of desecrating and will repair or replace the roof as per need.
The bottom line
Roof maintenance is a matter of concern. You have to keep your eyes on every single damage to the roof, or else it will soon create the biggest problem.
The average lifespan of asphalt shingles roof is 20 years. While slate, copper, and tiles roof has long average life.
The factors that can accelerate the damage include moss, fungal and algal growth. Moisture is another main or primary reason for roof damage.
Change in the shape of shingles and missing granules or pieces of shingles is a sign of damage. If you find the damage, you have to immediately contact the roof contractors for roof replacement.
