Becoming a homeowner is one of the greatest achievements of adulthood. You get your own space to design and decorate as you please, without having to worry about a landlord. But with that freedom, comes a lot of responsibility, namely, keeping your home in good shape.
Do you know what to look for if you’re concerned about the integrity of your home’s roof? Keeping your roof in good shape doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Read on for some surefire signs of a damaged roof!
Loose or Lifting Shingles
When you look at your roof, all the shingles should be smooth and flat in order to keep moisture out of your home. One surefire sign that your roof has some damage is loose or lifting shingles.
But how do you know if your shingles are loose or lifting? You might be able to see if from ground level if the shingles look like they’re hanging from a thread. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple.
If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder, you can routinely use it to get a better view of your roof. Check to make sure that all the shingles are uniform. If you notice that some shingles are starting to lift, then you should call a roofing company to come out and assess the roof.
Even if it is just a couple of lifting or loose shingles, it needs to be addressed immediately. Once a shingle starts to lift, it’s much easier for water to pool underneath it and cause water damage.
It Hailed Recently
If you think about damage from hail, you probably think about how it can wreck the body of a car. But did you know that hail can do a number on your home’s roof, too? Hail can be as large as a softball, and it tends to have rough edges which makes it super effective at dealing out damage.
If you’ve recently had some bad weather, it’s worth getting out and checking your roof for damage. Hail damage looks like someone has taken a melon-baller to your roof. Look for round dents throughout your roof, as well as missing and broken shingles.
If the damage is significant enough, you may have to get a new roof.
Your Shingles Look Patchy
Roofing shingles are covered in something called granules. It’s these granules that make your shingles water-resistant and protect your home from water damage. Over time, granules can wear away with age or exposure to bad weather.
The best way to recognize that your shingles are missing some granules is to take a peek at what’s going on on your roof. If your shingles look patchy, then there’s a pretty good chance that it’s time to replace them. You may also see some granules on the ground after making its way through your gutters.
Water Stains on Your Ceiling
Have you been up in your attic lately? One major sign that your roof has seen better days is water stains on your ceiling, or, even worse, water getting in your home when it rains.
If you’re working on a roof inspection routine, make sure that you’re checking out the inside as well as the outside. If you have an attic, brave the climb and go in with a flashlight to check all the nooks and crannies for yellowing and warping. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the ceiling for paint discoloration and leaks when it’s raining.
Extensive water damage can lead to black mold and a weakened infrastructure, among many other things. If you notice signs of water damage, it’s important that you get a professional out to evaluate the situation.
Curled or Cupped Shingles
When you’re checking out your home’s roof, you should look for curled or cupped shingles. Curled and cupped shingles are much more brittle than undamaged shingles, and they are less effective at protecting your roof from rain and wind.
This could simply be an indication that your roof is older and ready to be replaced, but it can also be indicative of more than just roof damage. Curled or cupped shingles are often a sign that your home’s attic doesn’t have proper venting. In that case, you would need to repair or replace the roof, but you may also have to have your attic’s ventilation system repaired.
Debris on Your Roof
Maryland is no stranger to inclement weather. Between the brutal winters, hot summers, and the occasional hurricane, there are a number of ways your roof can wind up covered in debris. Unfortunately, mother nature doesn’t worry about being gentle when she flares up, so if you’re seeing debris on your roof, then there’s a strong chance that the debris has done some damage.
You may be able to safely remove the debris and inspect the shingles, but if your roof took a battering and is covered in large branches and other heavy debris, then it’s best to call the professionals out for help.
Missing Shingles
It goes without saying that missing a bunch of shingles is a huge indicator that your home’s roof has seen better days. But if you’re only missing one or two shingles? Well, that’s still a strong indicator that your roof needs some TLC.
Think of your roof as a unified protective force against the elements. Missing one shingle weakens its efficiency, and, if the missing shingle was covering a seam in your roof, then it will let water into your home. Don’t wait until you see water damage to replace missing shingles.
Don’t Wait to Fix Your Damaged Roof!
Think of these warning signs as an early alert system for your roof. Seeing patchy or curling shingles isn’t something you should ignore. The sooner you get a roofing company out to assess the damage, the better!
Are you ready to have someone come check out your damaged roof in Maryland? You’ve come to the right place! Contact Landmark Roofing by calling 443-214-2533 or emailing us today to schedule your free estimate!
