The roof is one very crucial element of our homes that goes unnoticed until it is too late. It’s your home’s initial and best line of defense against ice, snow, and wind. A small issue that doesn’t catch your eye in the fall can become a huge, expensive headache later on.
Luckily, this can be avoided. The key to doing this is simple. All you need to do is just watch out for potential early warning signs. This article explains various things you need to look out for and ensure your roof is ready for whatever winter blows its way.
Exterior Red Flags
Gutter Problem
Your gutters are a good barometer of your roof’s health. When you clean them this fall season, take a close look at what you are cleaning out.
Signs That Your Roof Needs Some Repairs
Are you removing a great deal of sandy, gravelly granules along with the leaves? Those granules are a key element of your asphalt shingles. This is because they help ensure protection from ultraviolet sun rays. Finding many of them in the gutter is a sure sign that your shingles are getting old and losing their covering. Without this protective covering, the shingles will dry out and decay faster.
Curling, Cracked, or Missing Shingles
Have you noticed curling edges or buckling centers on your shingles lately? That is likely a sign of age or poor attic ventilation. It is advisable to inspect for cracked or missing shingles too. Even one missing shingle gives an open invitation for water to enter. Winter snow and ice will find that weakness in minutes if it is not taken care of in time.
Potential Signs Near Significant Areas
Examine the areas where the roof meets other surfaces like vent pipes, chimney, and walls. The joints are held together by metal flashing but can rust, crack or lose their grip over time. Once the caulking around the flashing cracks or dries out, then it has lost its power.
Things to Watch Out for From the Inside
Stains, Mold, and Sagging
Take a good look at the underside of the roof and the attic insulation. Do you notice any watermarks or discoloration streaks on the wood? In case of any, know they are caused by old leaks. Therefore, it also makes sense to inspect the wood for dampness.
Check also for mold or mildew since these elements thrive in damp areas. Lastly, take a good look at the roof structure itself. Is the roof deck sagging between the rafters? This could be a trapped moisture issue or a structural issue, and both are big problems.
Feeling the Breeze
Walk up to your attic on a windy day. Sense air entry from above? A little air flow is not bad for ventilation, but if you can detect one, then possibly there are openings or gaps in your roof system that need to be sealed.
Don’t Forget the Age Factor
Even if you don’t see any red flags, your roof’s age cannot be overlooked. The typical asphalt shingle roof lasts 20 to 25 years. If your roof is reaching up to or is already past that point, it is a wise step to have it inspected by a professional. All that sunlight, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles have their effect on the roof, and yours is far more likely to be damaged during winter.
Fixing roof problems in the fall is both handy and cost-effective. It is always an easy task to deal with a small repair like resealing a few flashings or replacing a few shingles. Waiting until winter, however, can turn that small repair into a huge emergency problem. Ice dams can drive water back up under your shingles and cause a lot of damage to your roof, attic, and ceilings.
Here at FB Roofing and Siding, we believe the best type of winter preparedness is peace of mind. Our team is here to provide your roof with a thorough, honest assessment. We can do anything from a simple patch job to a full replacement. With our exceptional service, we’ll be able to seal your house, and make it secure and ready to keep your family warm and dry all winter.
Don’t wait until snow falls the first time to find out there’s an issue. Spend a few minutes now to check for potential warning signs. If you notice something that bothers you, we are just a call away. Let us get your roof in top condition so you can sit back and appreciate winter with one less worry.
