If you think your shingled roof is rotted through or on the verge of failing, replace it soon. A rotting roof can leave your entire home open to problems, including extensive water damage. Learn more about roof rot and why you should replace your roof before it's too late below.
How Does a Roof Rot?
Roof rot isn't something you want to ignore. Some types of shingles contain an organic, paper-based material called cellulose fiber. Although shingle manufacturers coat organic shingles with asphalt to keep them safe from weathering, shingles can still succumb to water damage over time. Damp shingles can eventually rot or deteriorate.
Your roof's shingles aren't the only materials you should worry about right now. The wooden sheathing laying beneath your shingles can also rot with time. Sheathing makes up the base of your roofing system. The sheathing is also your home's last defense or barrier against water damage. If the sheathing on your roof succumbs to rot, it'll no longer protect your home from rain, heat, and other weather conditions.
The best way to see if your shingles and sheathing succumbed to rot is to have a roofer investigate your roof.
How Do You Know If Your Roof Is Rotting?
After a roofer arrives at your home, they'll take a short walk on your roof. A roofer can't determine the state of your roof unless they inspect it closely. For safety reasons, a roofer will put on a special harness and boots before they ascend or climb onto your roof. The harness and boots protect a roofer from slipping off the roof during the investigation.
After a roofer ascends your roof, they'll look for signs of roof rot. The signs may include:
- discolored or frayed shingles
- deteriorated felt or underlayment
- bowed or lifted sheathing
If a contractor notices any of the issues above during the investigation, they'll recommend you replace your entire roof immediately. If you don't want to install shingles on your roof again, go ahead and select a new material as the replacement.
Some homeowners replace their shingled roofs with alternative materials, such as cedar shakes, slate, and tile. The materials may last longer than shingles, so keep this in mind when you make your decision. If you can't make up your mind about your roof's replacement material, consult a roofing contractor right away.
Learn more about roof rot and what to do about it by contacting a roofing service such as Ludemann Construction LLC.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.