As a homeowner, one of your biggest responsibilities is keeping up on regular home maintenance. While no one likes to spend money, the basic rule of thumb is to reserve roughly 1% of your home’s value for maintenance and repairs each year. Fortunately, we have things like homeowner’s insurance to cover the cost of roof repair and replacement.
The question is, how do you know if you need a roofing service? Few of us ever get up on our roof to check things out. Even if you did, would you know what to look at for signs of damage?
For important and inherently dangerous tasks like roof inspections, it’s best to leave it for the professionals. However, there are some warning signs you can pay attention to (without getting up on your roof) that indicate roof repair is necessary. Keep reading for the top five signs you need to call a roofing service.
1. Roof Leaks
One of the most obvious signs of damage to your roof is if you have water leaking into your home. However, depending on the way your house is built, damage may not be immediately visible.
Keep an eye on the ceiling of the top floor of your home to see if there are any signs of water damage. You’ll see discoloration, bubbling, and warping. Using a broom, gently press on any warped or bubble parts of the ceiling to see if it’s soft and flexible.
You may need to crawl into the attic on occasion to see if there are any signs of water damage or leaks. Mold is generally a good indication as well.
2. Granules in Your Gutter
If you don’t mind getting up on a ladder, you can also check your gutters to determine if you need roofing service. If you, like most homeowners, have asphalt shingles, they will begin to lose their granules as they age or become damaged. Expect to see some granules in your gutter, but an excess amount may mean you’re due for a roof repair.
3. Damaged Roof Shingles
Aside from losing granules, shingles can suffer damage from animals, be ripped and torn by high winds, and warped by the sun. Damaged shingles will start to lose their shape, become discolored, or go bald from losing their granules at an extreme rate. While you can see some of this damage from the ground, it may be wise to get a professional roof inspection.
4. Age
How long have you lived in your home? Have you have ever had the roof repaired? How long before you moved into the home was the roof replaced?
If you’re not sure how old your roof is, we recommend getting it inspected as soon as possible. A roof left in disrepair can cause severe (and expensive) damages to your home. Visit freemangeneralcontracting.com to get a quote today.
5. Severe Weather
Finally, the United States has varying climates. Unfortunately, even the mildest climates can be hard on roofs. After seasons of high winds, heavy rainfall, snow, ice, hail, and hot temperatures, you should consider getting a roof inspection.
Most roofing services will offer free quotes – if not, your insurance should cover it.
Do You Need a Roofing Service?
Now that you know when to call a roofing service, what else can we help you with? Our blog is dedicated to helping homeowners like you create their dream living environments while paying attention to things like regular maintenance. Be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go for more advice and information!