The thing about being a homeowner that no one tells you when you buy your first home is that if you want to be a successful homeowner and caretaker, you kinda have to be an expert in just about everything related to home upkeep. The average person sees the roof of a home or their friend’s home and they see shingles and a chimney and maybe some vents and that’s about it. They can’t really tell one roof apart from another, and why should you? They don’t exactly teach roof maintenance in high school these days. Well, with today’s article, we’re hoping to help you and other homeowners be able to look at your home’s roof and know whether or not it is in need of major repair or a complete overhaul.
Look For Slumps Or Sunken Spots
If you see dips or slumps in your roof’s structure, then you may have a serious underlying structural issue that would need to be addressed by a contractor if possible. If you notice a slump, then check out that area in your attic to make sure that there isn’t also a leak or water damage that will need to be addressed as well.
Look For Missing Shingles Or Damaged Shingles Or Tiles
If you have several patches of missing shingles or tiles on your roof, then it might be time to have it replaced. Missing shingles typically come with age and wear and tear from weather.
Look For “Bald Spots” On The Shingles
Your shingles may be still all on your roof, but they could be going bald. No, they aren’t losing hair, but over time, shingles tend to shed their grit, which leads to many issues like leaks and rot and possible pest infestations. Check your gutters for lots of grit buildup as well as that is a sign of aging shingles.
Look For Dark Spots And Moss Growth
If you notice a persistent dark spot on a part or a few parts of your roof, that could be a sure sign that you are due for a replacement. Dark spots are a sign of too much moisture building up which then breeds airborne algae. The same goes for little moss patches growing between shingles as well. They feed off moisture and moisture should not be building up on your roof!
Look For Cracks Around Your Flashing Seals
Check out the area around where the vents and chimneys in your roof protrude from the surface of the roof deck. If you notice rust, cracks, moisture buildup, and other indications that the seal is no longer water tight, then it may be time to either just replace the flashings or to take the whole roof up and replace it. Typically a home’s roof should be replaced every 25 years.
In Conclusion
Hopefully you were able to snag a few helpful takeaways from today’s article. We want to make sure that every homeowner is prepared for the task ahead with the best news and information and quality products available. Shop our store online here or contact us to learn more about what FAMCO has to offer when it comes to high quality HVAC supplies and ventilation accessories.
