Most people give very little thought to the roof of their home. They expect it to keep them dry, warm, and safe without really much other thought.
But what happens if your roof is giving you clues that you should be paying attention to? The roof actually needs some attention.
What subtle, and not-so-subtle, clues might the roof use to say it’s time to call for roofing in Boise, Idaho? If you’re wondering about the condition of your roof, read on for the things to look for that tell you your roof needs some attention.
1. Visible Leaks
Roof leaks are one of the most obvious signs it’s time to call for roofing service. Some leaks can be minor and hidden for a period of time, causing damage you don’t see right away. This damage can be both to the structure of your roof. It can also cause interior damage that might not be visible in the attic.
Other leaks are more obvious. If you see wet or stained spots in the ceiling of a room or what appears to be wet streaks down walls, you have a leak.
This type leak can happen in a variety of ways, a loose or missing shingle or water entering through flashing.
2. Sagging Roof
Another sure sign your roof is in distress is if it looks like it’s sagging or there are waves in the roof. In the daylight, before you enter your home, look up at the roof.
If you see visible sagging between the trusses or your roof has a wavy appearance, there’s a problem. Often this happens with a roof that is aged and not been cared for or when there’s an underlying problem causing the sagging.
In some cases, it might mean replacing the whole roof, but sometimes it’s a matter of replacing a section and the plywood underneath that supports the roofing material.
3. Mossy Shingles
When you look up do you see moss growing on or between your shingles? This can happen when there’s some moisture and your roof is mostly shaded from the sun.
New shingles come with a moss-resistant material that helps to prevent the moss from growing. But this technology has not been around for long, so if your roof is older, your shingles may not have that protection.
If the moss is left to grow, it can slowly lift shingles and even break them down which will lead to leaks.
4. Curled or Cracked Shingles
Another obvious sign of distress in your roof is when you see your shingles edges curling. This usually means that the shingles are nearing the end of their life span.
Another warning sign, often happening because of storm or wind damage are when shingles crack and break. In this scenario, it may be possible to fix an area of damage versus replacing the whole roof.
If you see the asphalt granules coming off your shingles and the shingle is looking bare, you should also be concerned.
5. Light Coming Through in the Attic
One way to check for potential problems in your room is to look from the inside of your home. Do this when it’s dark on the inside, but there’s some light outside.
Put a ladder up into the opening of your attic. If you see any light source from the outside, this should be a concern to you. If light can come into the attic, then so could water potentially.
You could have something big and obvious like a hole in the roof which could happen because of an animal, for example. Loose flashing or eaves could also be an issue.
6. Storm Damage
You could have a relatively new roof but still have an issue if you have a big storm. Big storms don’t just have to be hurricanes.
You could have a big storm that is from large amounts of rain, ice, or snow. Wind damage during a thunderstorm can also wreak havoc on a roof.
Often storm damage presents itself in some of the ways listed above. You have loose shingles, cracked shingles, or even leaking that starts following a storm.
If your area has experienced a hard storm, it makes sense to contact your Boise roofer and have them come to do an inspection.
7. Age of the Roof
Finally, you might want to just think about the age of your roof. Often when you’re buying or selling a home, the age of the roof comes up.
The material the roof is made of will impact how long it lasts. The roof life expectancy varies based on materials:
- Slate, copper and tile roofs can last more than 50 years
- Shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years
- Fiber cement shingles last about 25 years
- Asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years
If you know your roof’s age is nearing these benchmarks or has moved past it, don’t wait for a problem to arise. Have an inspection done to check for potential problems.
If You Have These Signs, What Should You Do?
Roofing service companies will come to your home and do an inspection to look for potential problems. While you might have the urge to ignore a potential problem, you shouldn’t.
Some problems can be minor fixes. But those can quickly become more major if ignored.
If you have any of these warning signs, call your Boise roofer for an inspection. They can help you to identify potential issues and how to proceed.
Get Roofing in Boise, Idaho
While you might prefer to mostly ignore your roof and hope it does its job, when you get a roof warning sign you should take it seriously.
Call for roofing in Boise, Idaho to take a look at your roof’s needs. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection of your roof.
