Signs It's Time to Call a Roofing Professional

Posted by EdmontonRealEstate .ca on Thursday, January 17th, 2019 at 1:29pm.

How to Tell When You Need to Call a Roofing ProfessionalA home's roof can seem like a virtually indestructible part of the structure until something goes terribly wrong. These signs make it clear that homeowners need to contact a roof professional quickly, to protect their properties and ensure that the roof remains intact.

Home Roof Maintenance Homeowners Can Do to Prolong Its Lifespan

To keep their roofing materials in optimal condition, homeowners must commit to having routine roof inspections and maintenance services performed by a skilled professional. During regular inspections, roofing experts can look for damage and other problems caused by inclement weather conditions, wildlife, or other factors. With the early detection of these problems, it is possible to prevent the need for extensive repairs or even a full roof replacement in the future.

Roofing professionals will look at the type of roofing materials on the home, and the overall condition of the roof, to determine its maintenance service needs. Residential roofing materials can generally benefit from regular cleaning services to remove loose debris along with seasonal moss, mold and mildew treatments, as needed. Roofing experts may also need to replace the caulk, chimney sealant and flashing to prevent water leaks and keep the roofing in great condition. Homeowners can work with their roofing expert to find the best level of home roof maintenance for the upkeep of their residence.

Signs Of Roof Damage In Your Home

Leaks or Water Damage

Movies featuring people putting pots of water on the floor to catch leaks from the roof are evocative but not always entirely accurate. Although water can leak directly from a chimney flashing or a skylight in a very obvious way, many homeowners notice leaks by observing water damage on their ceilings. This is a sign that the roof is not keeping the elements out, and needs repair or replacement in order to avoid other damage.

Structural Damage

Like leaks, structural damage to the roof can be really easy to spot, but it may also be somewhat obscured. When a large tree falls over onto a roof, the damage could be immediate and severe. However, mold accumulation under the roofing material can cause as much damage over time. Any sign of structural damage to the roof, underlayment, decking or exterior structure of the home needs prompt attention. Especially when selling a home, it's important for homeowners to uncover roof damage, as it will show up on the home inspection results and can cause bumps in the selling process. The sooner the problem is identified, the quicker homeowners can make a plan to fix it.

Ice Dams

Cold weather is hard on a roof, from wind and rain to ice and snow. The trouble begins when the water sits on the roof and freezes over and over again. Ice dams and icicles are a fair indicator of problems on the way. When the attic gets too warm in certain places, it melts the snow and ice on the roof. If that water has nowhere to go, due to a clogged gutter or other snow, it will eventually refreeze into a sheet. This can create permanent roof or structural damage. Sealing air leaks in the home's heating equipment, clearing out gutters, and ensuring that downspouts are pointed away from the home will help to minimize the effects.

End of Roof Lifespan

In some cases, a roof may last much longer than originally expected. In other instances, it needs to be replaced sooner. Homeowners who know that the roof is approaching the end of its predicted lifespan should have a roof professional inspect the roof to get a sense for how it is faring. Sometimes, signs of old age are clear and come in the form of broken or cracked shingles. Asphalt shingles will shed their reflective granules as they get older. If the roof is starting to show its age, it is better to consider replacing it before missing or broken shingles put the entire structure at risk.

Plans to Sell

Installing a new roof is a serious investment for the home, and should be done with as much advance notice as possible. People who are planning to sell their homes within a few years should consider having a roofing professional evaluate the condition of the roof. Unless the roof is only a few years old, it may make sense to replace it and take a higher resale value as a return on investment.

Homeowners sometimes have a hard time telling if the roof of their St. Albert home needs some kind of repair or replacement since it sits largely out of view. With these tips, people know what to expect and when they should call for help.

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