Your roof provides a vital line of defence against the elements, and as such, it is something that should be monitored regularly.
Roof restoration Penrith owner Scott Thompson explains that the weather in any part of the world is unpredictable. It causes damage to houses that are not maintained well. One should know if their roofs need repairs or replacement to avoid serious problems in future.
If you notice any of the following symptoms on your roof, call an experienced professional contractor immediately.
Cracked Shingles
Cracked shingles may give you some visual clues as to why your roof might need repairs, but generally, cracks in shingles are not easily visible from ground level. This makes inspection difficult, and can lead homeowners who don’t take proper care into misdiagnosing their roofs (and thus putting off necessary repairs for longer than they should). Just like with metal roofs or asphalt roofs, take a close look at the shingles once you’re up there. If they look like they’ve cracked (and feel like it when you run your hand across them), then that’s an indication that the granules on top of the asphalt layer have dried and fallen away, exposing the asphalt to water damage.
Leaks
Finding leaks early on is very important, as they can spread and cause a great deal of damage if not remedied in time. Once you notice a leak, trace its path back to where it originates; oftentimes this will be near or right at one of your roof’s main support beams. At that point, further investigation by a qualified contractor is necessary.
Curling Shingles
When it comes to asphalt shingles, curling is not an indication that your roof needs repair or replacement. However, late-stage water damage is certainly a possibility. When the granules on top of your asphalt layer have dried up and fallen away, it can often lead to water damage at the seams between individual shingles. This can cause them to curl upwards — however if you catch this before it has gone too far, then adding an ice-and-water barrier may prevent further spread of the issue.
Buckling Shingles
If your asphalt shingles are buckling upwards in one area (or more), then this could very well be an indication that they are beginning to dry out and become brittle. You may notice that the shingles are becoming loose, or that they have begun to curl. Once again, this is likely due to ice damage once the roof has iced over during the winter months. Adding an ice-and-water barrier can be very effective at preventing further issues with buckling asphalt tiles.
Loose Shingles
If you notice shingles popping up on your roof now and again, then chances are they are not properly fastened to the substrate beneath them — which means your tiling may need repair or replacement work soon enough. This process can be particularly arduous if there is more than one affected area at any given time; consequently, it would be wise of you to cut your losses and call a contractor right away.
Curled Edges
If you notice that the edges of your asphalt shingles are beginning to curl upwards, then this is a very strong indicator that they have become dehydrated. As with the other issues presented here, addressing this issue early on will be important for preventing further damage. If left untreated, curled roof edges can turn into full-blown curling tiles — which is something you would not want to have occurred.
Cracked Tile Edges
This type of water damage is often caused by ice dams during winter months; it occurs when too much heat escapes along immobile portions of your roof, causing it to partially melt and re-harden repeatedly until tile edges are exposed. Replacing or repairing tiles in affected areas is necessary to prevent further spread of the damage.
Warped Shingles
If you notice that your asphalt shingles are beginning to warp, there’s a good chance they’re starting to dry out. The process can also be exacerbated if proper ice-and-water barriers are not employed during the winter months; this will ensure that your roof does not become damaged by forming ice dams. Furthermore, it is important for any homeowner who suspects water damage to their tiling to hire a contractor sooner rather than later — as more serious problems may arise if left untreated for too long.
