With all the things to consider as a homeowner, it is no wonder the roof of your home may have been neglected. Let’s face it, most of us don’t know how to climb a roof, nor do we even want to. The fact is inspecting your own roof for damage isn’t that easy to begin with, and then you must know what signs to look for if you are the rare homeowner who can climb your own roof.

We will go over 4 signs your roof is ready to be replaced that you can determine from the ground without the risk of breaking your neck and keeping your loved one’s nerves at ease.

1. Water Stains on your Ceilings / Noticeable Leaks

 

This is usually first indicator to a homeowner that there might be something wrong with the roof. If you look up and see a discolored water mark on your ceiling, then you just may have a leak coming from your roof. If you have attic access, you can simply go directly above where you see the leak on your ceiling.

The next time it rains you just may be able to catch the leak in action. If water is finding its way into the finished portions of your home, it’s time for a roof inspection.

 

   

2. Missing Shingles/Storm Damage

 

So many homeowners are oblivious to the fact that they have missing shingles, simply because they don’t pay attention to their roof. You can spot a missing shingle pretty easily if you just look up! When a shingle is missing it you will notice a dark spot on your roof. This is usually the top portion of the shingle below the missing one that is exposed.

Another way to tell you have a missing shingle is even easier which is to look down! You may notice a shingle or two laying on the ground. Missing can happen for various reasons but usually come from improper installation, or excessive wind. If you see missing shingles on your house, call a qualified local roofing company to inspect you. It may be worth filing a claim with your Homeowners Insurance. In a lot of cases, roofs are repaired and even fully replaced simply due to wind damage.

 

3. Shingle Granules in your Gutters/Downspouts

 

Have you ever looked under your downspouts after a heavy rain and noticed a pile of what looks like sand? This sand like debris you are seeing in most cases are the granules from your shingles. Your roof is designed to shed granules over the course of its life. Toward the end of a roof’s life is when you will see excessive granule loss.

The granules are there to protect your roof against the elements and without them you roof is penetrable. This is usually due to age or improper ventilation. Asking you gutter cleaner to check the inside of the gutters and even take a few photos would be helpful. If you can’t see the bottom of the gutters because there is a layer of sand/granules, then it may just be time to start getting quotes to replace the roof.

 4. Roof Warranty Rating / Age

 

Simply knowing the age of your roof is probably the easiest way to determine how much life your roof has left. If you have a 25 Year Shingle installed on your home and your roof 23 years old, then you know you are getting close to replacement. Another really good sign of aging is if your shingles are curling upward. Curling shingles are a tell sign of age and can only happen over a long period of time.

Old roofs are brittle and typically can’t take the harsh conditions of the elements anymore. If you know your roof is at the end of its life, replacing it before becomes a problem will save you thousand of dollars in the long run. Waiting until your roof leaks is the most costly way to go. If you don’t know how old your roof is, then it would be a good idea to call a qualified local roofing contractor to come out and inspect it to determine its age.

 

 

 

Call an experienced roofing contractor if you are seeing any of the four signs.

Knowing what to look for in a roof that needs replacement or simple repair can save you thousands of dollars and many headaches. If you are noticing any of the four indicators listed in this article, don’t panic. All you need to do is call a qualified local roofer for a free inspection.

At K&D Roofing we provide a full inspection report, detailed written estimate, and assessment at no charge and no obligation!

Reach out to us today!