The sooner you respond to the first signs of roof damage the better. By inspecting your roof annually, and immediately after stormy weather, you can spot any signs of trouble and make the necessary repairs.
Seeing to maintenance issues early on will mean cheaper repair costs and prevent more serious issues from developing. Watch out for these tell-tale signs that you need roof repairs.
Easily Detected Signs of Roof Damage
Fortunately, it is possible to spot a number of potential problems without needing to venture onto the roof.
Water Damage:
Peeling paint and water marks on your ceiling are sure signs that there is a roof leak.
Warped or cracked plaster can also indicate there is water exposure
Increased Energy Bills
An unexplained increase in your heating or cooling costs may also be a sign that your roof is not performing its role effectively. Cracks may be leaving the roof exposed to the elements and air is freely entering the home.
Roof Structure and Shape
Signs of sagging can indicate problems with the underlying support or trusses. The wood may be deteriorating and beginning to rot.
Typical Problematic Areas When Inspecting from the Roof -
A more comprehensive inspection, carried out by climbing on to the roof, is needed in order to properly detect any further signs of possible problems. If you are confident and able to tackle heights, look out for the following signs.
Flashings
All roofs need to have openings where vents, pipes, dormer windows, chimneys and air-conditioning units are installed. These areas are the weakest parts and are at most risk of potential damage.
The apertures are usually covered with metal pieces called flashing. The seals around these apertures can degrade over time, or may not have been installed correctly. They gradually become less watertight and allow moisture into the cavity, eventually causing rotting and possible interior wall damage as well.
Additional Checks to Carry Out
While on the roof the other signs you may notice are:
What to Do Next
Should you find any signs of trouble, you may well be able to take on some of the minor issues yourself. For example, unclogging the gutters and removing leaves and debris is a relatively simple task. Of if you are experienced in DIY, and are confident working on the roof, you may be able to reseal broken tiles.
However, there are some tasks that should remain strictly in the realm of the professionals. After all, they have the expertise required for working at heights as well as the qualifications and specialized training for the job. Unfortunately, the risk suffering an accident is high, when you take on DIY projects. The increasing number of injuries sustained while working on ladders while making repairs to roofs and gutters has attracted a warning from health professionals.
Consider Making an Investment for the Future
It may be well worthwhile investigating the added protection features available which will give your roof longevity. Ask the roofing professional company about installing sarking as a further protective measure. This is a reflective material manufactured from a foil laminate. It performs a waterproof barrier and prevents moisture from penetrating the angle between the tiles.
Your roof is constantly making adjustments and responding to changing conditions .It expands and contracts, becomes saturated and dries out, heats up and cools down. It has a mighty job to do in providing protection for your home. Arranging regular maintenance inspections are the best way you can help it do its remarkable job.
Share10 August 2015
Hi and welcome to my blog. My name is Jules, and several years ago, I bought an old house. As it needed so many repairs, we learned to compromise and prioritise our goals. That included the roof. Although the house needed a roof, we spent a few years working on other elements of the house, and during that time, we repaired and patched parts of the roof or added shingles as needed. Finally, we were able to replace the entire thing. I learned a lot through the process and wanted to create a blog about it. If you are interested in anything to do with roofs, please check out my posts.