Roofing repairs often sneak up on homeowners and catch them unaware. Houston roofing professionals have seen that the vast majority of roof problems start on the exterior of the home but eventually affect the interior of the home. There are a few warning signs homeowners can look for that will alert them to potential problems on their roof.
One sign is shingles that curl and buckle. This usually happens when there is poor roof ventilation that causes the underside of shingles to heat up. This in turn causes the sealants that are underneath the shingles to become loose and eventually curl in response to the heat. A periodic inspection should be done to identify shingles that appear disheveled or curled as this is a telltale sign that a roof has lasted beyond its life expectancy and a roof repair or replacement may be in order.
A second sign that a roof replacement may be in order is finding granules from the roof's shingles in the gutter. This is a strong indication that the roof is experiencing serious wear and tear. Granules have been installed on asphalt shingles as a way of increasing their longevity. As asphalt shingles age, the adhesive that adheres the granules on the shingle begins to degrade and eventually melts away. The older the shingle, the more granules a homeowner will find in their gutters.
Roofers from Houston Restoration Services of Houston TX would be happy to answer any question you have about remodeling or storm damage.
A third sign is blow offs. Shingles that become so loose that they are blown away are usually an indication that the roof is passing its expiration date. Of course, this is not always the case. Heavy winds or a major storm may cause a few shingles to blow off of the roof. Additionally, things like improper installation, improper nailing, as well as drying and cracking of the shingles may cause them to fall off.
A fourth sign is light coming through the roof boards. This happens when pinholes begin to appear in worn shingles. The best way for a homeowner to see if this is affecting their roof is to go into their attic on a bright day and turn off the lights. Then by simply looking up at the roof, they will be able to see areas where light is passing through. This would also be a good time to check the insulation in the attic for moisture or condensation that could build up as a result of improper ventilation.
Most roofs are designed to last between 15 and 20 years. The longevity of the roof depends much on the care and maintenance that is provided by the homeowner. The better the roof is maintained, the longer it will last.
