6 Signs You Need A New Roof
Posted on: 14 August 2020
If you are not a professional roofer, you may assume that knowing when you need a new roof is a difficult task. It's not, however. Your roof has many ways of showing that it is aging and many of them are visible to the naked eye.
1. There is gravel in your gutters.
Asphalt roofing shingles start their life out with a gravel coating. This coating is meant to protect the shingles and your roof from the elements. Over time, however, it wears off and the rain washes it into your gutters. Check your gutters and the splash guards below your downspouts for gravel on a regular basis.
2. Your shingles don't lie flat.
New shingles lie flat on your roof. As they age, however, the edges start to curl up. Eventually, they become brittle and break off. You can see this if you stand below your roofline and look up. Curling shingles are a sign that your roof will need to be replaced soon.
3. Your roof has shiny patches when you look at it from the street.
When you stand and look at your house from the street, your shingles should appear uniformly dull in color. If you notice shiny spots, it is an indication that the gravel has worn off that patch of shingles.
4. Your attic is well-lit.
When you enter an unfinished attic space, you expect to be in the dark. However, if your attic has tiny rays of light streaming in from pinholes in the ceiling, your roof needs help. Light should not penetrate your roof. When it does, it means that the shingles are no longer functioning properly. It also means that water is entering your attic through the very same pinholes.
5. The insulation in your attic is damp.
Most attics are filled with either loose cellulose insulation or a pink or yellow batt insulation. It should be dry. If you touch your insulation and it feels wet or even just damp, it means your roof is failing and water is getting into your home.
6. You have black mold in your attic.
This is the most dangerous sign of roof failure. Mold grows when water gets in your attic. As stated above, this happens when your shingles are failing to do their job. Black mold is dangerous. You need to have your roof repaired and the mold removed as soon as possible.
If you notice any of the above signs, call your local roofer and talk to them about getting a roof replacement.
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