As the weather gets colder and heavy winter storms begin to arrive, you may start to notice problems with your roof. When this happens, it is easy to start to worry that your roof is in need of replacing. While this may be the case, particularly if you have an older roof, if the damage is limited then your roof may be able to be repaired. Yet, how can you tell the difference? While it can be difficult for many homeowners to tell whether their roof is in need of repair or replacing, there are a few subtle signs that you can be on the lookout for indicating that your roof may only be in need of repairs. Regardless, if you notice problems with your roof, it is important that you have it professionally inspected before winter arrives in order to protect it from costly water damage. To help you get a better idea of what the right solution may be for your roof, here is a look at a few of the ways you will be able to tell if your roof may be able to be repaired rather than replaced.
Look for Signs of Damage Frequently
Getting to know, and keeping an eye on, your roof can help you to determine whether it is in need of repairs or replacing. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to inspect their roofs several times a year, as this can help you to keep an eye on it and spot problems early. By inspecting your roof regularly, you will get a good sense of what condition your roof is in, which can help you to spot problems early, allowing you to have your roof repaired before damage becomes widespread enough to necessitate replacement. Additionally, inspecting your roof frequently can help you to determine if damage appeared suddenly or gradually, which is important to know as gradual damage likely indicates that your roof is aging and may soon need to be replaced, while sudden damage may have been caused by a storm and may be easier to repair.
You Notice Curled, Cracked, or Missing Shingles
During your regular roof inspections, it is important that you check your shingles for signs of damage including curling and cracking. Damage to shingles is normal over time, especially if your roof has been exposed to particularly severe weather fluctuations. However, the extent of the damage to your roof’s shingles can be a good indicator of whether your roof is in need of repairs or replacement. If you notice a few cracked or broken shingles, or there are a few shingles missing from your roof, it will likely be easy and affordable to have your roof repaired. Shingles can occasionally become damaged by a variety of factors including changing weather conditions, and it is not unusual to have to have a few shingles replaced over the years. However, if problems with your roof are widespread and many shingles are cracked, buckled, or missing (particularly in areas with heavy sun exposure), then this indicates that your roof has passed its life expectancy, and it will likely no longer make financial sense to have your roof repaired.
You Notice Granules in Your Gutters
Another indicator of your roof’s health is whether or not it is shedding granules. As asphalt roofs age, it is not uncommon for them to begin to shed granules. However, the extent of the shedding can be a good indicator as to what your next steps should be. If you have only just begun to discover small amounts of shingle granules when cleaning your gutters, then your roof likely will not need to be replaced yet and having your roof repaired may help to buy you some time. However, if your roof has been steadily shedding granules for some time, and the problem seems to be getting worse, then it may be time to begin planning to have your roof replaced. In particular, if your roof’s shingles have begun to look bare then your roof will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Bald asphalt shingles will deteriorate quickly under the sun, and your roof will lose its structural integrity quickly once it loses a large number of granules.
There is Moisture in Your Attic
While most people know that their roof is leaking when they notice stains on their ceiling and/or walls, you may be able to catch a leak before it becomes a more widespread problem if you regularly check your attic for signs of moisture. When doing your regular roof inspections, it is critical that you also check the underside of your roof and your attic for signs of a leak. If you discover small amounts of moisture coming in from your roof but there are no signs of extensive damage, then your roof may be able to be repaired as you may only require flashing repair. However, it is critical that you have your roof inspected if you discover signs of moisture in your attic such as pooling water, warped rafters, and/or waterlogged insulation, as extensive water damage can mean that your roof is compromised and will need to be replaced.
Moss and Algae are Growing on Your Roof
It is not uncommon for moss and algae to grow on some roofs in areas with cool, moist climates, as roof sections that do not see much sunlight can become the perfect place for moss to grow. While moss may initially just seem like an unsightly nuisance, it can actually cause serious damage to your roof over time. This is because moss can hold moisture against a roof’s surface, which can cause damage to your roof in freeze/thaw conditions. Thusly, if you discover moss during one of your roof inspections, you should consider having your roof inspected and repaired. A professional roofing specialist will be able to remove the moss and discover/repair any damage that the moss may have caused to your roof before the damage becomes widespread.
Check Your Roof After a Hail Storm
If you live in an area that sees frequent hailstorms, then you likely already know just how destructive hail can be. This makes it critical that you inspect your roof after a major hail storm (once it is safe to do so and your roof has had a chance to dry) in order to see if there has been any damage to your roof. You will want to look for signs of denting or cracking in your shingles, and you will want to make sure that none of your shingles were knocked loose upon impact. Fortunately, damage caused by hail rarely necessitates full roof replacement, and this is usually only under the most extreme conditions. Damage is usually contained to a small number of shingles, and it is likely that your roof will only need minor repairs. However, it is still important that you consider having your roof professionally inspected after a significant hailstorm, as the hail may have caused damage that you have not noticed.
How Old is Your Roof?
An important thing to take into consideration when trying to determine if your ailing roof can be repaired, or if it is time to consider a roof replacement, will be the age of your roof. On average, most roofs will last between 20 and 30 years depending on the quality of materials used, how well it was installed, and whether or not it was properly maintained over the years. Once a roof is 20 years old it will begin to show signs of aging, and you will likely begin experiencing more costly problems with each passing year. If your roof is aging and it has problems such as cracking shingles or it is leaking, then you will need to consider whether it is worth it to continue to put money into an aging roof. Even if your roof can be repaired, if it is 25 years or older, it may be in your best interest to have it replaced, as repairs would likely only prolong the inevitable. However, you can discuss your options with an experienced roofing contractor who will help you to determine if your roof needs an immediate replacement, or if repairs could give you time to plan to have your roof replaced.
Consider Having Your Roof Inspected
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether your roof is in need of repairs or replacement is to have it inspected by an experienced roofing contractor. A contractor will be able to inspect your roof for signs of damage, and they will take factors such as your roof’s age and the extent of the damage into consideration before offering you advice on what your next steps should be.
If your roof is aging or has had problems standing up to winter conditions in the past, it is often a good idea to have your roof inspected annually. Not only can a roof inspection ensure that your roof is ready to handle the next winter, but having your roof inspected regularly can allow you to find problems, and have them repaired, before the damage becomes widespread enough to require a full roof replacement in Ann Arbor Michigan.
If you are unsure whether your Ann Arbor roof is in need of repair or replacement, contact us at A2 Roofing to find out about scheduling a roof inspection.
