Most people don’t think much about their roof until it starts to leak. Although a leak may indicate that you need a new roof, there are a number of other signs that may indicate you need to replace your roof. Inspecting your roof every six months will help you to identify potential problems before they become serious. Here are some signs you should look for:
Dark Spots
Dark spots on your roof are an indication that your roof is losing granules. Without granules to protect the asphalt in the shingles, they will break and become brittle from the sun. They will also lose their ability to prevent water from leaking into the house.
Dark spots on the north side of the house are often a sign of algae or contaminates. Algae feed on the limestone filler used to give the shingles weight. After a period of time, the granules will begin to loosen and wash off, leaving your shingles unprotected.
Curled Shingles
Curled shingles are often seen on the west side of the house, which gets a lot of exposure to the hot sun. The sun can cause the asphalt layers in the shingle to shrink and curl, which makes the shingle more likely to fly off your roof in the wind.
Improper Ventilation
Ventilation can lead to shingle failure. The majority of houses do not have proper ventilation in the attic, which prevents air flow from the soffit vent to the ridge vent. Without ventilation, in the summer when it is 90 degrees outside, the attic can heat up to 130 degrees, which hurts the shingles. In the winter, improper ventilation can lead to mold and mildew on the roof decking due to trapped moisture.
Missing Shingles
This is often an obvious indication that a roof needs to be replaced, and is often a result of improper installation. Some installers use only three or four nails per shingle, which does not protect against wind damage. Callen’s preferred method is six nails per shingle, which ups the wind warranty from 80 to 130 miles per hour.
Faulty Underlayment
The material used under the shingle, or underlayment, can also be a source of leaks. An underlayment should have ice and watershield to protect the roof. Tarpaper is not a material recommended for underlayment.
If you need a roof replacement, call Callen today at 414-765-2585 for a FREE inspection and estimate. We’re the exterior remodeling company Milwaukee homeowners have trusted since 1986.
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