Every roof on every property has a limited lifespan, irrespective of whether the roof has been well maintained by a roof doctor, and being exposed to the elements all year round, is bound to take its toll. A typical roof lasts around 20 years, but if it was built on top of pre-existing shingles, its lifespan can be significantly reduced. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect maintaining their roof on a regular basis, and as such, it’s only when it starts to leak or fall apart, that they realize they may need to contact a roofing contractor to come and assess it for damage.
Roof waterproofing can significantly reduce the number of roof repairs needed to be carried out, as can having your roof regularly inspected by a roof specialist, but if you’ve been neglecting your roof, you might notice the following:
- Loose, cracked or damaged shingles
- Gaps in the shingle
- Sagging
- Mold or rot
- Water damage signs or a leak
- Holes or dark spots
If your roof is damaged beyond repair, a roofing contractor may recommend that you get it replaced. If you have noticed any of the 4 signs below, then it might be time to get your roof professionally inspected and ultimately, replaced, before you end up with an even bigger repair bill and a damaged home, further down the line:
- Your attic is lighter than it should be
A strong indicator that your roof may have sprung a leak or two, if you can see beams of light penetrating the roof and shining down into the attic, you will definitely need to seek help from a roof waterproofing professional.
- Some of the shingle are not lying flat
Any signs of buckling from the shingle on your roof, can be a sign that your roof is in need of a replacement. Shingles should always lie flat against a roof, and if they don’t, or are starting to crack and lose a lot of granules, they may be approaching the end of their lifespan; this could signal the right time to contact a roof specialist.
- Your flashing is broken or cracked
If there are breaks or cracks in the sealing around your chimney – otherwise known as the flashing – then you’ll inevitably suffer with leaks later in the lifespan of your roof. If your flashing isn’t made of metal, then you might want to think about upgrading it from tar or cement flashing; a reputable roofing contractor can you guide you on this.
- There’s moss growing on your roof
If you can see moss, mold or fungi on your roof, then you’ve undoubtedly got a problem with it retaining moisture. Sitting water can spell serious trouble for a roof, and will almost always lead to roof repairs at some stage. While cleaning the moss and/or mold is a temporary solution, the only permanent fix is to have your roof repaired, or depending on the extent of the damage caused by the sitting water, a roof replacement.
If you can see any of the above signs, don’t wait for a potential problem to get bigger, call the roof doctor, today.
