There are many potential sources of damage to the roof of your Indianapolis home or business. Whatever the source of the problem, a failing roof is bad news. This is because it protects everything underneath it, your furniture, electronics, expensive electronics, treasured family heirlooms, your other possessions, and even the structure of the house itself.
Hiring a local roofing contractor like Stay Dry Roofing can help the project run smoothly because a thorough inspection can point out trouble areas. Thus it pays to stay alert for the warning signs of damaged roof repair. That way, you can pursue roof repair or maybe even roof replacement as soon as possible.
WHEN YOUR ROOF IS IN DANGER, EVERYTHING IS!
Here, then, are seven warning signs that your home or business may need a new roof.
DANGER SIGN #1: THE ROOF LEAKS INTO THE ATTIC
Check the attic periodically to see if you can find a leak. The best times to check are after a strong storm or rain that came with a powerful wind.
Attic leaks can also result from ice damming. This is likeliest if the underlayment beneath the roof shingles is compromised or if the flashing (steel or aluminum that goes around chimneys and roof pipes and over roof joints) has experienced deterioration.
DANGER SIGN #2: EXTERIOR PAINT IS BLISTERING OR PEELING
When paint peels, the likely cause is trapped moisture due to high temperatures or high humidity inside the building. The high temperatures or high humidity come from poor attic ventilation. In other words, air isn’t flowing freely from the soffit to the ridge.
You should make sure there are functional vents in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Similarly, dryers need to vent to the outdoors.
DANGER SIGN #3: STAINING, MILDEW, OR MOLD ON INTERIOR WALLS AND CEILINGS
When found, this probably resulted from either faulty or damaged shingle underlayment or inadequate ventilation.
DANGER SIGN #4: EXTERIOR DECAY TO THE SHEATHING AND/OR SIDING
Once again, poor attic ventilation is a likely culprit here, but anything that results in excess moisture can be responsible for the decay.
A vapor barrier is one potential solution. Vapor barriers go between the inside of a house and the insulation. They serve to reduce the amount of moisture that gets into a wall in the first place and help any moisture that does get in escape to the outside again.
DANGER SIGN #5: ROOF SHINGLES ARE MISSING, CURLED, OR CRACKED
Dry or brittle shingles have reached the end of their useful lives. Unfortunately, that means it’s time for a roof replacement, but you can take comfort in the fact that you discovered the issue and are taking action before the problem turns into a crisis.
DANGER SIGN #6: DARK, DIRTY-LOOKING SPOTS
There are a couple possible causes for this. One is that the roof shingles on your Indianapolis home have lost their protective granules.
Another is that they’ve got algae, fungus, mold, or some other form of vegetation growing on them. Either way, the spots detract from the appearance of the house.
Stained roof shingles don’t necessarily need to be replaced. In some instances, they can be cleaned although this has the potential to make them wear out sooner. (Happily, many shingles come with the Stain Guard label that signifies they’re protected from this problem.)
DANGER SIGN #7: HIGH ENERGY COSTS
If you’re energy costs are too high, that means your heating system and/or AC is working too hard, and that can indicate the need for roof repair or even a new roof. If you have inadequate insulation, hot air gets trapped in the attic in warm weather and heats the house.
Moreover, whether it’s hot or cold out, moisture can get trapped in the attic where it condenses on the rafters. It then drips down into the insulation and renders it less effective.
Final Thoughts on Needing a New Roof
The bottom line here is that it pays to be vigilant and to take action when you spot one of the seven danger signs to avert further damage and hold down the cost of roof repairs.
When your Indianapolis or Indiana home needs roof repair or roof replacement, we invite you to call Stay Dry Roofing. Call 317-308-7773 or visit their website at https://StayDryRoofing.com.