What are the tell-tale signs there is a problem?
Short of the obvious waterfall coming from your ceiling, or worse, a piece of your ceiling on the floor, what are the signs there is a problem with your roof that needs your attention? Most people don’t give their roof a second look when they go outside. It is the most overlooked structure on a building. It is also one of the most important structures, so why ignore it until there is a problem?
If your roof has easy access to it, like an interior staircase or is visible from another vantage point, take a look at it periodically. It is not simply a bunch of gravel or tar sitting on top of your building. It is a complex system of combined materials which, together, seal your roof from the elements and protect the interior from damage. Your roof is also an insulator and saves you money so why not give it some attention?
Not sure what to look for or cannot safely access your roof?
This is not a problem. If access is a problem do not attempt to gain access. A phone call to a professional roofing contractor will bring about, an oftentimes free or low-cost, roof inspection, which will give you detailed information regarding the condition and life expectancy of your roof. Don’t risk your health if you are not experienced with roof access.
If you can, however, safely see your roof or gain suitable access to it, here are some of the signs that your roof may need attention.
Roof is older than 20 years
The average life of a flat roof is 20-40 years and 10-20 years for a sloped, shingle roof, depending on the type, weather conditions, and overall care. It is wise to seek out a professional to look at your roof, even if you cannot see any visible signs of deterioration if it is nearing this age.
Moisture on ceiling
I don’t mean an obvious flood of water coming in from above. Moisture problems are often hard to find at first as they don’t always show. Have a look at your ceiling. Pay special attention to the area where the walls meet with the ceiling and look for any discoloration or dark, irregular lines, which could be a sign of water infiltration. It is hard to pin-point the source of the leak so this is where an expert will be needed. A simple repair will often suffice in this situation.
Flashing and Seams
Inspect any areas where there are seams or where two different materials meet and are sealed with caulking or some other form of sealant. Look around the edges of the roof structure and where materials join. Inspect vents, pipes, pipe jacks, and any other structure that exits the roof. There will be flashing and sealant around these areas. You are looking for any visible cracks, missing sealant, or large gaps where water could infiltrate. Simple cracks can be filled by using an approved roofing sealant. Larger areas, or missing flashing requires a pro.
Gravel or granules missing
Not all flat roofs have a gravel surface. If yours does, you want to look for areas where the gravel is thin or missing. The gravel acts as a protector for the membrane underneath. Any missing gravel should be replaced after an inspection is done of the membrane.
Just the same as a flat roof, sloped roofs have granules on the shingles, and if they are missing, the roof needs attention. The granules are what sheds the water. Look for granules in your eaves-trough and on the ground around your yard. This is a tell-tale sign your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Spongy areas
If you are on the roof walking around, take notice of the strength of the roof. It should feel well-supported and firm. Any spongy areas could be a sign of rot underneath the layers of roofing. This is an area which needs immediate attention or further damage could result. Rotting layers under the membrane could lead the roofing contractor to find further structural damage so do not hesitate to call in a professional. Oftentimes, a repair is required to fix the damage, but it can be less expensive to replace the entire roof.
Blisters
A good time to look for blistering on your roof is during the summer when the sun is out. The heat from the sun will cause damaged or unsealed areas of the roof to buckle and blister. Blistering leads to the membrane becoming brittle and cracked, which leads to leaks and decay. A blister can be repaired and is usually not a major concern.
Obvious damage
If you notice shingles laying on the ground, or you can see areas where there are missing shingles, immediate attention is needed. Each shingle on a roof has a job to do. If even one is missing, they cannot perform properly and will allow water to infiltrate the building. If the damage is not too severe, a patch may be sufficient. This works well if you have a fairly new roof with some left-over shingles. If not, a roofing contractor may be able to replace a section or side of the roof to have it blend in.
Protrusions or fasteners used
Sure, that eight reindeer display with the 6-foot Santa Claus attracted a crowd when you placed it on your roof, but did you seal the screws you used to fasten it down with a proper roof sealant? Chances are that thought never crossed your mind when you were placing that display on your roof in December. Something as small as a screw hole can cause major damage to a roof. So, now that you have taken your marvel of plywood engineering down, go back up there and seal those screw holes with an approved roof sealant.
As you can see, the decision to repair or replace is not cut-and-dry. What you may think as a major problem, may be a minor fix to a professional. Unless the damage is obvious or the roof is getting old, more often than not a simple repair is all it takes to fix the problem. Don’t make the decision yourself, however. Call in a professional for an honest, educated opinion by someone who is knowledgeable of the materials used on your roof and what options are available today.