There’s a good reason why the idiomatic phrase “a roof over your head” often refers to your livelihood, well-being and home. Without a reliable roof, you may encounter damage to the interior of your building, financial hardship in affording repairs, safety hazards and even health issues. That’s why you’ll want to catch any damage to your roof early on before the situation becomes urgent.
A good rule of thumb is to examine your building for roof damage at least twice a year during Spring and Autumn. This may seem fairly frequent, considering how long a roof should last. On the other hand, you don’t want to be caught in the middle of a blistering winter, scrambling to scrape enough dollars together in the budget, and settling for the first unvetted roofer you can find. This hospital roof repair scenario exemplifies why it’s important to act sooner rather than later, giving yourself plenty of time to find the right roofing service.
Let’s look at seven different ways you can determine the condition of your roof today.
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1. Water Leakage
The most obvious sign of a roof in need of repair is leakage. If your roof is no longer sealed against the weather elements, it will be easy for water to snake its way to the inside of the building. This often looks like water stains on the walls or ceilings, which, if ignored, can cause mold and lead to health and safety problems. Water damage also commonly manifests as bubbled wall paint, both on the inside and outside of the building. Lastly, you should be sure to check the attic, too. If you see any patches of light peeking through, then your roof has significant enough damage to require maintenance or replacement.
2. Damaged Shingles
Damaged shingles are the next most obvious indication that you need roof maintenance. Even though they are built to be sturdy and last a long time, shingles are not impervious to erosion. Dark stains across a region of shingles almost always signify water damage. Check also to see if any shingles are missing or if any appear to have cracks or splits. Shingles with bubbled or curled edges are also a sign that water can sneak underneath.
3. Clogged Gutters or Drains
Are you in a constant struggle against frequently clogging gutters? It might not just be due to an abnormally high amount of leafy debris this year. Next time you clean or inspect your gutters, check to see if there are any granules or damaged shingles. Granules are crushed black particles that come from the gradual deterioration of asphalt or shingle roofing materials. Finding human-made matter in your gutters is always a blaring red flag when it comes to your roof’s fitness.
4. Sagging
A roof may start to sag long after water has already penetrated the structural interior of the building, causing certain spots to rot and weaken. A roof should have straight lines and crisp angles. It should not have droopy curvatures and concave areas where water can pool. You may need to use a ladder, access the rooftop itself, or view your roof from a neighboring building to get a decent and full view of its shape.
5. Ponding
Ponding is precisely what it sounds like: a concentration of pooled water in a particular area of an otherwise flat roof. Of course, “flat” roofing is a little misleading because even flat roofs typically have a low-grade incline, designed to allow water to slide off into the gutters. Ponding occurs for a number of reasons, such as shifts in the earth that change how the building sits, an uneven foundation, sagging, or clogged drains and gutters, as mentioned previously. If left untreated, ponding will erode the roof until the damage becomes significant enough to leak and cause even more internal structural damage.
6. Plant Growth
Normally, we love to participate in nature and foster plant growth, but there are some places that plants seriously do not belong. Unless your roof is purposefully colored green, you should not see any green up there. Moss, mold and fungi only like to grow in excessively moist environments. When they start to show up in green patches, you’ll know that your roof has not been draining water properly. While they may make for exotic (if not questionable) additions to your indoor house plant collection, moss and fungi are not welcome on the rooftop.
7. Age According to Material
Generally, you need a roof replacement every 30 years. Some roofs last longer than others, however, depending on the type. Asphalt shingle roofs, which are the most common, unfortunately have the shortest life expectancy at around 20 to 25 years. Architectural shingles, which are a thicker and more expensive kind of asphalt shingle, typically last 25 to 30 years. Wood shingles, which are prone to splitting, will hold up for 30 years. Clay tile and metal roofs last for at least 50 years, while slate roofing takes the gold at 100 years.
Don’t know how old your roof is? There are a number of ways to find out. Double-check the building permit to determine the last time your roof was replaced. Alternatively, you can ask the previous owners or landlord of the property if they can remember or have any documentation on your roof. If you don’t have access to any such records, a roofing expert will be able to make an educated estimate of age, based on its current condition.
A roof can become damaged in a variety of ways. Some causes are pretty obvious, like a fallen tree or a turbulent hurricane. More often, the damage occurs gradually over a long time, and it may require a sharp eye to spot those more subtle signs. Nonetheless, a little preventative action can help you save dollars and headaches down the road. Even though roof replacement can be expensive, it’s a reasonable price to pay for your employees’ safety and uninterrupted business as usual.
