A house is essentially useless without a sturdy roof over your head. It keeps you warm in the winter, dry in the spring, cool in the summer and prevents you from having to rake leaves off your carpet in the fall.
Although the quality of roofing shingles has greatly increased over the years, nothing lasts forever. You will eventually have to replace your roof when it becomes too old.
But how do you know when your roof is showing signs of wear?You don’t have to wait until rainwater is literally pouring in through your ceiling to call a roofing contractor in the Twin Cities. Instead, you should make it a point to inspect the quality of your roof at least once a year.
Go On Up and Have a Look
The easiest way to tell if you’re in need of a new roof is to get on up there and have a look. Trust us, you don’t need to have any background in roofing repair to spot the signs of wear. Simply inspect your roof for any signs of:
- Cracked, split or brittle shingles and tiles.
- Shingles whose edges have begun to curl, bend or warp.
- Missing shingles or holes.
- Shingles that have begun to shed their granules (they look like grains of sand) and have become bald. (Check your gutters for accumulations of shingle granules.)
- Dark spots or streaks of water damage.
- Algae, mold or moss growth.
- Gaps in the sealing around chimneys and other exterior vents.
- Damage from termites and other bugs (if you have wood shakes).
A Look From Within
If your house is equipped with an attic space, and if you are deathly afraid of heights, you can still see signs of wear on your roof from the inside. So take a trip on up to your attic and inspect the interior of your roof with a flashlight and look for signs of:
- Water damage or rot in the wood.
- Moisture or dampness in the insulation.
- Bent boards or drooping spots on the ceiling.
- Leaking through the roof boards.
- Streams of light emanating from between the roof boards.
Time Will Always Tell
Even if you live in an area that isn’t particularly known for harsh weather conditions, most experts recommend that you replace your roof every 20 to 25 years. If you’ve had your house for that long, or know that the shingles on your current house are that old, it is a great idea to have them inspected for signs of wear.
When looking for roofing contractors in the Twin Cities, your choices may be numerous, but no one has the reputation of Hoyt Exteriors. Family owned and operated, we have generations of experience in roof repair and replacement. One call is all it takes to put you on the path to the comfortable house you’ve always wanted!
What other signs help you spot a roof that’s in need of repair? Comment below to share your ideas and stories!