With almost two-thirds of Americans owning their homes, home maintenance and repairs are an important topic. Neglecting their property can be costly and even disastrous for these homeowners. With their funds already tied up in the house itself, a loss in value or the place becoming uninhabitable could be a serious crisis.
One of the common problems that homes across the country suffer from is roofing issues. The roof is an extremely important part of any building. It shelters the interior from the weather, so any compromise can lead to other problems. In the worst cases, a roof collapse can make a building unsafe, meaning it might need to be rebuilt or demolished.
Roof repairs are also costly so some people try to avoid them, but letting the problem keep on developing only means a bigger cost when you do fix it. It’s better to get the work done ASAP by a reputable firm. If you’re stuck on where to start, call Dennis & Sons for further advice on your roof and repairs.
Here are 6 signs you should NEVER ignore when it comes to your roof.
- Broken/Missing Tiles
Missing or broken tiles are an obvious problem for a roof. Sometimes people will simply look to replace the tiles or will even carry on as normal with broken tiles, as long as there are no other problems. This is a mistake! Broken/missing tiles don’t usually occur on a roof which is in good shape. The problem is often a sign of wear and tear on the roof overall, so while replacing a tile might fix that problem, it doesn’t get around the fact that the entire roof is becoming work. Try to carry out regular checks on your roof, especially when it gets older and starts to show signs of wear such as missing tiles or cracks.
- Peeling/Flaking Shingles
Shingles are what goes over the top of your roof to create a waterproof seal. Despite being temperature and water resistant, over time these will become worn and start to peel, curl or flake. When this happens it’s time to get your roof looked at and probably recovered, otherwise you risk leaks.
- Leaking
Leaking itself can happen without any other visible signs. Obviously, this is a problem but some owners don’t realize how bad it can be. Your aim here shouldn’t be just stopping the leak. You need to get the entire roof checked and repaired (if needed), otherwise, the underlying problem might just keep on surfacing as leaks in other places.
- Shape
A good roof should be straight and sloped, allowing water to run off harmlessly. Any sign of a slight change in shape, such as a small dip or buckling, are signs of a problem. Left unchecked your roof could end up collapsing, ruining your property and anything inside it.
- Mold
Mold is usually a sign of exposure or water, so if you find any on or around your roof, you need to get it checked out. Call in a specialist and have them examine your roof to find out what the mold is caused by, and how you can fix it. Mold also weakens the structure it is formed on, and over time can cause the collapse of your roof.
- Cracks or Holes
Of course, any cracks or holes in the roof should be investigated. These could be caused by anything from wear, to weather to vandalism. A good roofer can advise you on the causes and how to fix the problem, as well as avoiding the issue in the future.
