If your asphalt shingle roofing is several years old and it's never had any work done on it, you might want a roofing contractor to look it over to make sure it's not in need of repairs. It's a good idea to have your roof checked occasionally since you can't always see damage from the ground and you can have a roof leak and not know it. Here's what the roofer may look for.
1. Curling Shingles That Indicate Poor Airflow
If there's a problem with your attic ventilation, you want to know about it so the roofer can correct the situation. Otherwise, the life of the shingles will be shortened. If the roofer sees curling along the edges and other signs of an overheated roof, they may go into your attic to look at the air vents.
There are air vents at the bottom and top of the roof. The ones on the bottom can get blocked by insulation or things you have stored in the attic. The roofer may need to add baffles to keep the vents open.
2. Circles That Could Be From Hail
Hail damage is good to catch early. Hail usually leaves circle marks on the shingles. The circles don't always leak right away, but a leak might occur as time passes. You only have a short window to file an insurance claim to get new roofing after hail damage, so catching the damage early is important. If there are many circle marks, you might need a new roof. If there are just a few, repairs might be more appropriate.
3. Bare Spots Under Tree Branches
Bare spots on asphalt shingles are caused by a loss of granules. If granules are only missing in a certain spot under tree branches, the branches have probably scraped them off. Even if the branches don't touch the roof in calm weather, when the leaves are heavy with rain and the wind is blowing, the branches can whip against the shingles and cause damage. The roofing contractor may want to change out all of the bald shingles and check underneath them for water damage to the deck.
4. Gnawed Areas From Squirrels And Rats
Animals will gnaw around on roofing occasionally, especially if they are determined to get in the attic. Gnaw holes let in rain, so the roofer needs to patch them to keep your attic dry. Plus, patching up the holes keeps squirrels, rats, and other animals out of your attic where they belong.
5. Cracks On A Rubber Boot
Pipes that stick up through your roof probably have rubber boots on them to make a tight seal and keep the rain out. If cracks develop due to sun exposure or old age, the boot should be replaced with a new one. The same goes for flashing. However, flashing is made from metal, so it doesn't get damaged as easily as the boots.
Contact a local roofing service to learn more.
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.