Nailing This Down

Posted on: 28 March 2023

The roof on your home protects you from harsh UV rays and rainfall and preserves your home's exterior beauty. However, over the years, your roof will go through wear and tear, and you'll need to repair or replace it. You'll need a professional roofer to do the job when this happens.

But how do you know it's time to undertake a roofing home improvement project?

Here are some of the signs. 

1. Damaged or Missing Shingles

An asphalt should serve you for several years with proper maintenance. However, if you live in a storm-prone area, you might notice damaged and missing shingles after a few years of installation. The strong winds, heavy rainfall, hailstones, and extreme sunshine might speed your shingles' wear and tear and cause significant damage.

The strong winds will wrench the shingles out of position, making them prone to curling when the sun shines due to contraction and expansion. Other causes of cracked or curled shingles include the following:

• Poorly installed shingles
• Damage from hailstones

The damaged, cracked, or missing shingles can expose your home's interior to damage from the sun's UV rays, water damage when it rains, and attacks from pests and wild animals.

You need to hire a professional roofer to repair your damaged roof and avert further problems in your home. The repairer can recommend you replace the missing shingles if only one or two pieces are missing. However, if your roof has large patches of damaged or missing shingles, you might have to repair the entire roof.

2. Clogged Gutters

You might not know this, but clogged gutters might be the obvious sign of a damaged roof. Your house's 

gutters can occasionally clog because of the debris from the environment, such as falling leaves, dust, and loose asphalt granules. However, if your gutters clog after every rainy episode, it's time to check the condition of your roof.

As part of wear and tear, asphalt roofs lose granules due to exposure to harsh weather elements. However, if the roof has been in place for a long time, the granules come off much faster and in large quantities. The granules will settle in your gutters and cause blockage after every rainy season. You might even find loose shingles in the gutters in extreme damage cases.

Contact a roofer to learn more. They can thoroughly assess your roof and advise you on the best remedy. They can also help you repair the roof and give you maintenance tips to avert further damage.