Eight Signs You Need Roof Repairs

Your home is one of your biggest investments, so it is important to look out for small problems that could become bigger problems over time. That is especially true for your roof. It is very easy to forget about your roof altogether because it silently sits up there, doing its job and protecting your home from the elements, until a problem arises. As a homeowner, you should periodically take a closer look at your roof, especially if you aren’t sure when it was installed. You do not want to wait for the water to get into your attic and damage your structure before you realize there is a problem.

The top 8 reasons your roof may need to be repaired or replaced

1.     Granules. Do you see a lot of granules in your guttersor downspouts after a heavy storm? When composite or asphalt shingles begin to wear out, they start shedding the granules that give them their textured appearance. The granules look like small pebbles. That is an important sign that you should have an inspector come and look at your roof.
2.     Missing shingles.Do you see spots on your roof where shingles are obviously missing? It is important to replace missing shingles immediately because, without them, your roof loses a layer of protection against the weather. That, in turn, allows rain and moisture to seep in beneath surrounding shingles, causing even more problems. Missing shingles is a major problem in Florida, especially during hurricane season. Homeowners should do a manual inspection of their roof after any major wind or rainstorm to ensure that their shingles are still in place, are not cracked, and don’t show signs of curling. If you see any of these indicators of wear and tear on your shingles, you will want to get an inspection by our experts at Epic Roofing and Exteriors.
3.     Old or damaged flashing. Roof vents, skylights, and roof valleys can eventually be your roof’s undoing. During major storms, the flashing around your skylights, roof vents, or valleys can come off or lose their seal. Flashing is water-tight strips that cover the seams between your skylights, chimney, vents, and your roof. If the flashing isn’t installed correctly or is damaged, water can migrate through the gaps, causing water damage to ceilings and walls inside your home. Older bubble-style skylights have a terrible reputation for leaking because of how they were mounted – flush with the surface of the roof. Skylight installers at the time used a sealant between the shingles and the skylight which wasn’t as reliable as using flashing. Newer styles of skylights – curbed skylights – have a better track record of keeping the water out. If your current roof doesn’t have a water shield in your roof valleys, you should consider installing one. That entails taking off shingles on both sides of the valley, installing the shield, and putting on new shingles. Chimneys aren’t as popular in Southwest Florida as up North, but if you have one, it’s important to keep an eye on it.
4.     Paint blisters. If the paint on the exterior of your home starts to peel or blister, especially near the roof line, it is a sign that your attic is poorly ventilated. That can create moisture and humidity that congregates near the roofline and may point to problems with the gutters on your roof. If your gutters are poorly maintained, your roof may be in danger as well.
5.   Water stains.  Have you started to notice water stains on your ceiling or walls or blistering paint inside your home? Is there mold on your ceiling? Those are all signs that rain or moisture is getting into your attic. It could be an easy fix, or the damage could be extensive by the time the water has migrated into your house. An inspection would be necessary.
6.     Sagging rafters. Another sign that your roof needs repair or replacement is sagging rafters in your attic or an obvious sag in your roof line. At that point, moisture has gotten beneath your shingles or roofing tiles and caused the boards beneath to warp and rot.
7.     Holes.If there are obvious holes in your roof, you may need a full roof replacement. You may not notice smaller holes unless you see light filtering into your attic. Those could be an easy fix, depending on how large they are. It is fairly simple to replace a few roofing shingles or tiles in spots where holes have developed.
8.   Air leaks. If your air conditioning or heating bills suddenly increase dramatically, that may be a sign that air is leaking out through your roof. The fix for this is adding better ventilation into your attic. At Epic Roofing & Exteriors, we work with all styles of residential and commercial roofing, including tile, metal, shingle, and flat. We are happy to come out and assess the damage to your roof and let you know whether you need a full roof replacement or repairs.