Visible Damage
If you can see damage on your roof without even climbing a ladder, then it’s due for repairs. Look for curled shingles, shingles with little to no granules, missing shingles, or, if you have a different roofing material, other noticeable signs of damage.
Curled Shingles: Over time, your shingles may curl as they age. This is an indication that the adhesion of all of the components are beginning to fail, and the shingle is no longer performing as it should. Water can seep under curled shingles more easily, where it can penetrate the underlayment and seep into your home. Be sure to have curled shingles replaced, since they’re at the end of their service life. No Granules: The granules of your shingles serve a crucial purpose. They help to shed water while bearing the brunt of the force of falling precipitation. If your shingles are shedding granules then they are, once again, at the end of their service life. You may notice that your shingles no longer look very textured, and you may see granules in your gutters and downspouts. Replace these outdated shingles before they fall apart entirely. Missing Shingles: Shingles are liable to fly away in a heavy storm or strong winds. That’s also an indication that your shingles are outdated, since the nails that secure the shingles no longer hold them in place. If your roof is missing shingles, you have a time-sensitive problem on your hands. These areas are highly likely to leak, which can cause extensive damage in your attic and throughout your home. Damage to Other Roofing Materials: Don’t have asphalt shingles? You may have cracked and discolored wooden shakes. Your home may be topped with slate tiles that are crumbling from wear and tear. Or you may have a rusted metal roof. Be wary of other signs that your roof isn’t up to snuff if you don’t have traditional asphalt shingles. 
Flashing Problems
You’ll find flashing across the surface of your roof. This protective component is installed on roof edges, around protrusions through the roof (e.g. the chimney), and anywhere a gap might exist across the surface of the roof. Flashing is quite durable, however it may need to be replaced or repaired if it is exposed, which is most common for flashing that surrounds protrusions. If flashing no longer adheres to these protrusions, a leak could form. We can remove and install your flashing to ensure that water doesn’t end up on the wrong side of its surface. Chimney Damage
Even brick and mortar can age and weather. If you have a chimney that’s over a decade old, it may show signs of wear and tear. Be wary of bricks that are crumbling and cracking, and mortar that is shallow or hollowed out. If your chimney is beginning to fall apart, then its best to have it tuckpointed or to have new bricks and mortar installed to ensure that it retains it shape. You may also have damage to the chimney cap or crown, which could put your fireplace at risk of having a leak. We can repair or replace these components as necessary. Feel free to learn more about our chimney repair services.Clogged Gutters
Getting a gutter clog tends to happen in fall, because of, well, the leaves falling. And that’s a poor setup for the coming winter. If you have clogged gutters, you could end up with a roof that doesn’t shed water well, which can lead to pooling water, leaks down the side of your home, and eventually (once that water freezes), damaging ice dams. Be sure to have your gutters cleaned before the first snow of the year to give all that precipitation a way to get off of your roof and away from your home. You could avoid costly damage to your home! Gutter Damage
If your home endures significant snowfall, it could put pressure on your gutters. That’s especially true if there are several inches of heavy snow, and a mass of snow begins to slide on your roof. We recommend that you remove the snow on your roof if it is rather heavy (consider roof snow removal if your roof has over 6 inches of snow — we can help you with that!). In addition, you should keep an eye out for gutters that are detached from your home, gutters that are bent out of shape, and gutters with gaps. A bad gutter system can easily cause a leak, leaving you with another problem on your hands.Poor Insulation
Head up to the attic to take a look at your insulation. If you can, rent a thermal camera or hire someone to inspect your attic for poor insulation. You should at least have insulation on the floor of your home’s attic, and you may have insulation between the rafters. If you don’t, or you have little insulation, then you’re losing precious warm air through your home’s roof. Insulate areas that are lacking to improve your home’s efficiency and comfort, and to knock down those energy bills a bit!Leaks
A leak is a sign that your roof isn’t up to snuff. Have a roofing contractor inspect your roof to locate the leak (the actual source of a leak may be tricky to pinpoint). Don’t let leaks go unfixed, since your home will endure more and more damage, making repairs more and more expensive.Repairs, Snow Removal, and More From Red Dog’s Roofing
We hope that your home is safe and cozy throughout the coming cold season. And we’re always here when you need help ensuring that the roof over your head is strong enough for those upcoming snow storms. Count on Red Dog’s Roofing for roof repairs and replacements, as well as chimney repairs and roof snow removal services. We provide service for folks throughout Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Westminster, Lunenburg, Lancaster, Ashburnham, Princeton, and Sterling — call today to schedule your service!Tags
Subscribe to Red Dog's Roofing's Blog
Comments