5 Signs Your Roof Needs a Repair

Are you questioning your current roof? Are you wondering if you should hire a contractor to inspect, repair, or replace your roof? Repairing or replacing a roof can be quite expensive. However, the alternative of waiting until it leaks not only costs more, but is a very big headache. Plus, you run the risk of property damage to your home or your belongings. If water leaks into your home through your roof, it could cause water damage or even lead to the growth of mold.

It is best to be proactive and repair potential issues before they create a big problem. Often, small issues can be repaired for a reasonable price. Sometimes, what needs to be done will be too costly to make repairing worth it, and you’ll want to just replace your roof.

To help determine if it is time to call in a roofing contractor to inspect, repair, or replace your roof, read through the sections below.

Missing or Cracked Shingles

If some of your shingles are missing or cracked, it is likely that you will need to hire someone to repair those sections of your roof. Shingles can blow off when there are heavy winds or can become cracked for a variety of reasons. If you have shingles that are missing or cracked, they are not doing their job and providing protection for your house, so you’ll definitely want to have those areas of your roof repaired. If many of your shingles have cracked or blown away, it likely means that it is time for a new roof.

Staining on the Ceilings and Walls in Your Home

Sometimes stains on your ceilings and walls can be caused by moisture leaking in through the roof. If you notice staining, you should definitely hire a professional to inspect your roof. They’ll be able to tell you if the staining was caused by a problem with your roof, or if there is another reason behind it.

A Leaky Attic After a Storm

If you have noticed the presence of water in your attic after heavy rains, there is a very strong possibility you’ll need a new roof. If water is able to penetrate your roof and make it into your attic, the roof’s flashing or underlayment is likely to blame. Flashing will often be able to be repaired. However, if it is determined that the problem lies with the underlayment, it will probably be time for a new roof.

Noticeable Erosion Around the Chimney

Often, the shingles around chimneys and vents on your roof are the first to start deteriorating. If you are noticing a different in these shingles compared to those of the rest of the roof, you should call a local roofing company. Most likely, you’ll just need to have repairs done to these specific areas. It is less likely that you’ll have to worry about replacing your whole roof it the deterioration or erosion is limited to these smaller sections of your roof.

Darker Shingles

If you notice that some or all of your shingles look darker than they used to, it may be a sign that they are holding in moisture. If this is the case, it means that they are not doing as good of a job as they should be in protecting your home. Have a roofer come inspect your shingles and your roof. Be prepared to hear that you’ll need to replace your roof to prevent the possibility of a future leak.

Your roof has the important job of keeping water out of your home. Maintaining it and replacing it when necessary will allow it to do its job. None of us love major home repairs, but they are a necessary part of being a homeowner.

If you are worried about how to afford paying for a new roof, you may qualify for a government program aimed at helping homeowners repair or renovate their home.