Common Roofing Problems

Top 5 Signs You Need A New Roof

Your roof works hard to protect your home from the elements year after year. Despite their importance, roofs are often forgotten, out of sight and out of mind until a major crisis takes place. A damaged roof can wreak havoc in other parts of your home, often leading to leaks, mold, and even widespread structural issues.

By learning the signs of an ailing roof, you can plan ahead to have your roof replaced before it hits a crisis point. Take a look at the list below to learn the top signs that your roof is ready to be replaced.

Your Houston Roof is Getting Old

Traditional asphalt roofs typically have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. If your roof is nearing this age (or older), plan on having it replaced in the near future. Although less common than asphalt, roofs constructed from other materials may have different life spans. Wood shake roofs can last up to 30 years, whereas roofs built of sturdier materials like copper or tile may last up to 50 years.

Knowing a few things about your roof’s history and how it was built can help you determine its life expectancy. If the last time your home’s roof was replaced the new shingles were layered over the old ones, your roof will likely have a shorter lifespan. Since overlaying new shingles over old shingles doesn’t address underlying issues, many roofing contractors recommend a full tear-off and replacement instead. Proper ventilation also leads to a longer roof life. A well-ventilated roof increases air-flow and leads to less moisture build-up.

If you have a “young” roof but it is showing signs of damage, you may be able get away with having it repaired instead of performing a full re-roof. Our roofing experts can help you determine if your roof needs a complete roof replacement or smaller, less invasive repairs.

Your Shingles are Old, Worn-out, or Damaged

Take a look at your shingles. If you notice your roof’s shingles are cracked, curling, buckling, or missing altogether, they have probably reached the point where they can no longer effectively protect your home against the elements.

Be extra vigilant following storms with high wind, heavy rain, or hail. Do you notice any shingles lying on your lawn or bare spots on your roof? A missing patch of shingles is like a hole in clothing: it can’t protect what lies underneath it.

Another sign of shingle health is granule shedding. Granules are embedded into asphalt shingles to protect them from sun damage. As your shingles are exposed to the elements, some of these granules will be washed off into your gutter. A small amount of granules in your gutter is normal, but an excessive amount is problematic. Patchy, inconsistent color across your roof is another sign your shingles are suffering from too much granule loss.

You Notice Leaks in Your Home

Leaks are often a sign your roof is damaged and needs repair or replacement.

They are often easy to spot because they typically cause visible damage inside your home. Water stains, peeling or bubbling paint, and streaks on the walls are all classic signs of a leaky roof. If your home has an attic, you should do a visual inspection for other signs of leaking or damage. Be sure to also look for shafts of sunlight coming in through the attic ceiling, since these indicate there are open holes in your roof.

Water damage can be catastrophic to even the sturdiest of homes. If you notice leaks or water damage, you should schedule to have repairs done or a replacement roof installed as soon as possible to minimize damage to other parts of your home.

You Have Mold or Mildew on Your Walls

Mold often goes hand-in-hand with roof leaks and are indicative of built-up condensation. Mold often appears as dark splotchy stains on your walls or wood trimming. Mold caused by roof leaks often grows on the ceiling or walls because the water originates from the top of the house and trickles downward.

If your home has an attic, take a flashlight up there and perform a thorough visual inspection. Be sure to note any unusual smells as well. Does your attic smell like must, mildew, or rot? Just because you can’t see mold doesn’t mean it’s not there.

In addition to visible signs of damage within your house, you may also notice moss or algae growing on the shingles themselves. This could be a sign the shingles are very old and beginning to rot. Old, rotten shingles do not offer your roof the same protection as new, durable shingles.  

Your Roof is Beginning to Sag or Buckle  

If your roof is sagging or buckling, it may be suffering from a serious structural problem. This could compromise the stability of your home and the safety of your family.

You can check your roof’s structural health with a simple visual inspection. Situate yourself on your driveway or in the street in front of your house so you have a clear, unobstructed view of your roofline. If the roofline is anything but arrow-straight, you may have a problem on your hands. Visible curves, dips, and sways are all evidence of a structural issue.

You can perform a second visual inspection by climbing into your attic. Look up to where the rafters meet the ridge line (the tip of the triangle). If the shape is anything but a crisp triangle, this could be a sign the rafters are bowed or the ridge line is dipping.

If you notice any of these symptoms of a sagging roof, call us right away. The underlying cause is not usually something you can repair on your own. Time is of the essence when addressing a saggy roof. Over time, a structural issue that was once minor and localized can spread to become severe and impact other parts of your home, in addition to being extremely costly to fix.

Your Replacement Roof

After running through this checklist, did you notice your roof is old or damaged and in need of replacement? Call your Rose Roofing to set up a consultation with one of our expert craftsmen. We can assess your roof and let you know if you need simple repairs or a full replacement to preserve the safety and beauty of your home.

Give us a call today!