Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. It is the place you spend most of your time and where you should feel safest and most comfortable. Having a quality and well-looked-after roof will keep your home sheltered and secure. Your roof protects your home from the outside elements, and severe roof damage can cause problems in your home’s interior unless taken care of.
A damaged roof can mean one of two things: time for a roof repair or roof replacement. Oftentimes, the problem lies in telling whether or not your roof has damage and whether or not that damage is repairable. While obvious leaks and watermarks clearly indicate roof damage, there are many other — and far more subtle — indications that your roof needs repairing. At American Home Contractors, we have been helping people repair, replace and maintain their roofs for years, so we know exactly what to look for.
How to Tell When Your Roof Has Damage
Sometimes, clear signs exist of roof damage, and other times, discovering damage takes extra effort and intention. Watermarks, leaks, and obviously missing shingles or curling shingles are all obvious indications of roof damage. But sometimes, the damage is harder to spot.
The Attic
Inspecting the interior side of your roof by taking a trip to the attic provides a solid starting point to check for roof damage. Discoloration and leaks in this area can indicate a more serious problem. The light peeking through any section of the roof should warrant immediate action.
The Rooftop
The surest way to fully assess roof damage is by climbing on your roof and taking a look. Inspect your roof’s shingles for cracking or buckling. See if any stray shingles have made their way into the gutters. Loose or missing shingles need to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid serious roof damage. If bald patches exist on the roof, assess the underlayer for damage before replacing any shingles. Oftentimes, a roofing contractor can assess the amount of damage best, so don’t be afraid to call a professional.
The Flashes
The flashes on your roof, which can be found in the connecting seems as well as around vents, chimneys or skylights, should be assessed for cracked or peeling caulking. Flashes are an important part of your roof’s drainage system, so any cracks can lead to serious water damage. Make sure to remove and replace any caulking that looks suspicious. It is better to be safe than sorry.
The Contractor
If things look questionable or beyond your repair, have a roofing contractor take a look at your property. A professional roofing contractor knows exactly what to look for and how to address any issues that may arise. They can keep you from missing any damage that may be harder to notice, saving you time and money.
To help prevent extreme damage and major leaks, make a habit of assessing your roof at least twice a year. However, climbing onto your roof after any severe weather or major storms can help you catch damage when it first occurs and before it becomes a serious issue. Don’t forget that your roof needs and deserves as much attention as any other area of your home.
Roof Repair Vs. Replacement
As an essential part of roof maintenance, a roof repair job can help maintain the life of your roof and keep you from needing a full replacement for many years. But sometimes a roof is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. Knowing the difference can save you a great deal of money with a repair or keep your home from further damage with a replacement. The three greatest differentiators are:
- Size of the damage – The smaller the area of damage, the less likely you are to need a roof replacement. Sometimes even a small, damaged area can be beyond repair, but generally, if the damage is contained to only a small portion of the roof, you will likely only need a roof repair job. And if only half of the roof is damaged beyond repair, a partial roof replacement may also be a viable option.
- Age of the roof – No roof will last forever, so if your roof has undergone damage and is older in age, it may be time for a replacement. A typical roof should last roughly 15 to 20 years. If your roof is nearing this age, spending money on a repair job can sometimes prove futile in the long run.
- The Roof’s Sturdiness – When walking on your rooftop, bowing presents a clear indication that your roof has sustained serious damage. The sturdier the roof feels, the less likely you are to need a full roof replacement. Roof rot can often cause sagging and a lack of sturdiness. If you experience bowing, contact a professional immediately.
If you find that your roof needs replacing, don’t delay in getting it fixed. While a full roof replacement can be a hefty expense, avoiding the work will cause more damage to the structure and interior of your home, costing you far more in the long run. If you see indications that your roof needs replacing, take action.
Don’t Delay
Your home is extremely important, so don’t play the waiting game when it comes to roof repair. Call (908) 771-0123 or click here to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with us today. Let us give you a quote and get your roof secure.