Owning a home is an exciting experience, but it does come with a lot of responsibility. With everything on your shoulders, it is your job as the homeowner to keep everything up to date and safe. This is especially true for your roof. Roofs are an expensive but necessary investment that requires routine maintenance and care in order to reach their full lifespan.
Having roof damage is something that every homeowner dreads. We understand it may seem tempting to procrastinate addressing any roof damage right away but don’t. It’s very important to fix any roof damage known as soon as possible. If you don’t, then you run the risk of the damage spreading and becoming even worse, costing you more money in the end.
A roof can be damaged by a variety of different things ranging from old age to weather. Since addressing roof damage early on is so important, it is also important to know how to spot roof damage. Today we will be talking about different ways that you as a homeowner can tell if your roof is damaged.
Check your gutters
The state of your gutters can tell you a lot about the risks your roof faces. Routine gutter cleanouts are a must, and failure to do so can cause some serious damage to your roof or even the foundation of your home.
Over time gutters fill up with a variety of different debris such as dirt and leaves. Eventually, the gutters will clog, and then water can no longer flow properly from your roof. Instead, the water will pile up in the gutters and overflow onto your roof, flooding it and causing damage. If during storms you notice large piles of water overflowing out of your gutters, that’s a sign to have your gutters cleaned and your roof inspected.
Shingle damage
With asphalt shingle roofs being the most commonly used roofing material in the United States, we definitely had to include this one. Shingle damage can be caused by so many different things and can show itself in many different ways. Wind, harsh rain and old age are all some ways that shingles can become damaged over time.
When looking for signs of shingle damage it is important to look for any missing shingles, dented shingles, cracked, or lifted and curled shingles. All of these are signs of damage and need to be replaced as soon as possible. The easiest way to spot damaged shingles is by having a roof inspection done at least once a year. We strongly advise against homeowners going onto their roofs without the proper training for safety purposes.
In some cases, it may be worth it to walk around the outside of your home and look for any missing shingles that may have fallen off your roof. This is especially common after severe storms and high winds. Overall, between keeping your eyes open and having routine inspections, you will surely catch damaged shingles early on.
Debris and Dents
One major sign of potential roof damage is having an excess of large debris on your roof. This is most likely to occur after a large and dangerous storm. Most major debris on a roof can be seen from the street view. Debris will also be seen around the property and nearby. The type of debris we are talking about here goes beyond dirt and leaves. Instead is something much bigger such as large tree branches or other outdoor items that went airborne.
Large debris can cause some serious damage to roofs. If you cannot spot any damage from the street or are unsure about debris following a large storm, it is always best to hire a roofing professional to perform a thorough inspection. In roofing, it is truly always better, and cheaper, to be safe than sorry.
Another thing to look for is dented shingles or gutters and flashing. Dents on shingles will look like tiny indentations or bends in the material while dents on flashing and gutters are more prominent and warped. Dents are almost always caused by hail, though debris can sometimes cause it too. Dents may not seem like a big issue, but they should be taken just as seriously as any other type of roof damage. Dents can quickly get worse and cause some serious damage.
Spotting dents from hail can be rather easy. Typically, if you notice any other dents or property damage on or around your home, you can safely assume that your roof is dented as well. Now, finding dents from debris is much harder. The only sure way to know if your roof is dented for sure is to have it professionally inspected.
Wrapping it Up
Roof damage is a serious thing and should be treated as such. It may seem tempting to go up on your roof and inspect it yourself, but we strongly advise against that. Without proper training, you don’t only put yourself in danger, but you also run the risk of missing problem areas. Professional roofers know what to look for and what the problem areas tend to be. A roof may seem perfectly fine to the untrained eye when there really is underlying damage. Missing out on damage means that the damage will likely spread and cause more problems, resulting in you spending more money on your roof.
It is always a much safer bet to have a professional roofing company come out and perform an inspection. Remember to always hire a roofing company that is local to your area and has excellent reviews. Also, make sure that they are both licensed and insured prior to signing anything. We completely understand that roof damage never comes at a convenient time, but it must be dealt with. We hope that you now have a better understanding of what roof damage to look for and what to do if you spot any. When in doubt, have an inspection done and trust your gut.
At Liberty Roofworks we strongly believe that homeowners have the right to educate themselves on all realms of their home, and that includes roofing. Reading this article is a great first step in better understanding the world of roofing and what you should look out for with your roof. If you would like to learn more you should check out our Learning Hub! We post fresh roofing content every single week on all areas of roofing. Whatever your question is, we are sure to have it answered! If you still have questions please do not hesitate to contact us and we will answer them personally for you.
We are here to help!
At Liberty Roofworks we understand the importance of your roof and we work hard to preserve its quality. We are a family-owned and operated business with over twenty years of professional roofing experience under our belts. All of our roofers are professionally trained, licensed, and insured.
No roofing project is too big or small for us to take on. Whether you need an inspection, repair, or replacement, we got you covered! We also offer solar panel installation services as well. Are you worried that you may have roof damage? Contact us today and we will gladly schedule an inspection right away! It’s always smart to act fast and we do just that. We are here to help!
Frequently Asked Roofing Questions
It is normal to have some questions about the roofing process. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we get about roof damage and repair along with their answers.
Q: Does a damaged roof mean it needs to be replaced?
A: Not always, but sometimes. If the damage is severe enough, then a replacement may make the most sense. Most of the time only a few simple repairs are needed. Some easy repairs can quickly turn into severe damage if it gets put off. That is why it is important to act fast and repair everything right away, or else you may be looking at an otherwise unneeded replacement.
Q: Can I claim my roof damage on my insurance?
A: Yes, most of the time. If the roof damage is due to weather or other crazy accidents or situations, then an insurance claim is appropriate. If the damage is just due to old age or neglect on your part, then insurance will be of no use. That is why it is always best to keep up with your roof and take care of it.
Q: What are the most common roofing issues people face?
A: There are many issues that can pop up over the years, but some of the most common include roof leaks, damaged shingles, and overflowing water due to gutter issues. Some issues are inevitable and are out of your control such as the weather, but other things can be controlled such as the state of your gutters. As long as you have routine inspections and gutter cleanouts scheduled, you are in good shape.