The bottom line is that your roof and siding will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. But how do you know when it’s time? As the years pass by, your roof and siding may still look just fine, but the fact is, that you could be none the wiser to the problems that are building up, of which may cost you more money in the long run if you choose to ignore them.
In this article we provide the top 10 signs you need siding or roof repairs which you can figure out by doing a quick inspection yourself. Let’s get started.
1. Your Roof Shingles Are Loose and Falling Off
If your shingles are getting loose or falling off your roof, you’ve definitely got a problem that should be dealt with. As the years pass, and the weather takes it’s toll, your shingles can end up taking a beating and eventually lose their strength.
When shingles become loose, break and are brittle, the remaining shingles eventually follow suit; the moisture and leaking spreads to the other shingles and causes them to become unstable too. The result is potential damage to the rest of your roof including the sheathing, the underlayment plywood and even your attic insulation.
2. Your Experiencing Leaks From Your Attic or Ceiling
A leaky ceiling or attic is definitely a sign you need a new roof or need immediate repairs. A lot of the time a home owner that finds a leak will go up to their attic and try to fix the problem themselves. Self-repairs sometimes work, but usually only temporarily because there’s usually a broader underlying problem on the roof that needs to be dealt with by a professional. If a leak is simply plugged up, but the roof issues are not fully addressed, the problem will only get worse in the long run, and it may cause more damages which mean costing you more money.
If you’re experiencing various leaks around your home, it is advised that you do patch them up as quickly as possible so as to avoid water damage, but you’re advised to also call your local roofing company and have them come out there to inspect the issue promptly.
Sometimes a home could be so big that you can’t readily see if there are a few missing shingles on your roof. If this is the case for you, and if you’re lucky, while cleaning out your eavestroughs you may find shingle debris gathering within it which will give you a sign that there’s a problem.
For the most part when singles fall off a roof they fall off in big chunks that you can see on the ground, but there are times when the smaller parts will slide down into your eavestroughs, get clogged, or pool around the downspout opening.
If your roof is old and decaying, pieces of your roof’s shingles and shingle sediment and granules will also gather in your eavestroughs, which is a sure sign your roof is in need of repairs.
3. Your Siding Is Becoming Loose Or Falling Off
Once your siding becomes loose or is already falling off, it’s time to get it repaired or replaced. If you notice it when it’s just starting to become loose, you can easily seal it up yourself with a hammer and nails or some silicone but it’s not going to last forever, and it’s going to eventually turn into an eye-sore.
Aside from how loose or damaged siding looks on your home, cracks or loose pieces allow moisture to get into your home and creates an environment for mold and mildew growth. It can also effect the regular temperature in your home, especially during the dead of winter or the extreme heat of summer.
Another serious problem with loose siding is that your home is much more susceptible to wildlife damage and intrusions. A small hole can turn into a big one in a matter of a few weeks or months, and a small crack can be just the right size for smaller forms of wildlife to get in and infest your attic.
4. Your Roof Deck Is Showing Signs Of Sagging
A sagging roof is a sure sign that it’s getting old or has been severely damaged. When a roof starts sagging it’s usually because it’s endured decades of weight or and other forms of abuse (e.g. yearly snow buildups and high winds). Years of moisture exposure will also weaken the integrity of the wood, and even warp boards which causes it to have that sloping look.
A sagging roof doesn’t always mean that you’ll have to have a new one installed but in the end it is highly advised to because the costs to repair it would virtually be as much as it would cost for a new and safer one.
When your roof is sagging or sloping, you’ll also want to avoid stepping on it because any wrong move on a severely weakened section could cause serious damage or injuries.
5. You See Missing Shingles
If you notice your roof is missing shingles, it’s definitely in need of repairs. Shingles start getting loose and falling off the roof during severe weather and are usually the result of the shingle nails and anchors becoming loose over time.
Generally speaking, a sturdy roof can withstand strong winds and ice-buildup for at least a decade, and you don’t usually find missing shingles unless there’s been a severe storm. Either way, a few missing shingles can turn into many if the problem is not dealt with quickly because once a few shingles go missing, the stability of the other shingles decrease and a domino effect starts to occur.
Missing and damaged shingles are also one of the number 1 cause for roof leaks and are a problem that should be taken care of immediately.
6. Shingle Debris Is Found In Your Eavestroughs
Sometimes a home could be so big that you can’t readily see if there are a few missing shingles on your roof. If this is the case for you, and if you’re lucky, while cleaning out your eavestroughs you may find shingle debris gathering within it which will give you a sign that there’s a problem.
For the most part when singles fall off a roof they fall off in big chunks that you can see on the ground, but there are times when the smaller parts will slide down into your eavestroughs, get clogged, or pool around the downspout opening.
If your roof is old and decaying, pieces of your roof’s shingles and shingle sediment and granules will also gather in your eavestroughs, which is a sure sign your roof is in need of repairs.
7. You See Damaged Flashing
Roof flashing is used to deter leaks where water buildup generally occurs on your roof, and if your flashing is damaged you’ve probably become aware of it pretty quickly because it usually results in obvious leakages in your home.
It can also be a sign that your roof is in need of repairs or may be losing it’s strength and stability. Flashing damage or decay usually happens in older homes and should generally be inspected at least every 5 to ten years.
One of the most common areas to find damaged or decayed flashing is around your chimney. The chimney is always out in the open and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Because flashing is manufactures in many various substances, it’s strength depends on the material used so, if you believe your flashing may not be the strongest out there, it’s always a good idea to inspect it at least once every year.
8. You Seeing Chips, Dents And Cracks On Your Siding
If you’re starting to see chips, dents and/or cracks in your siding, it generally means it’s been through a lot of wear-and-tear and it may be time for a new installation. Once your siding starts to endure these types of minor damages it’s only a matter of time before they become bigger problems and more expensive to repair. Besides the fact that chipped and cracked siding doesn’t look nice, it becomes more unstable as the years pass while it endures strong winds and severe weather exposure. Like many of the issues with siding mentioned above, when damaged siding is left unfixed, it leaves your home more easily open to allowing wild animals to enter which can cause thousands of dollars in damages.
9. You’re Experiencing Irregular Energy Costs
When a roof is substantially damaged – even if you can’t readily see it – it can cause your energy bills to irregularly fluctuate. Also, with a damaged roof, comes the strong potential for damaged attic insulation which again can further aggravate the normalcy of your heating and air conditioning bills.
When it comes to energy costs and seeing irregular readings, the advice is simple: inspect your roof and siding yourself for any of the examples explained in this article. You can also call your local roofing company to do an inspection. Around 90% of the time, irregular energy bills can be attributed to a problem with your roof and it’s insulation rating, and is a problem that should not be overlooked for too long.
10. You’re Seeing Mold Around Your Siding Edges
If during your siding inspection you see mold, algae, mildew or fungus around it’s edges or predominately on it’s surface, it could be a sign that your siding should be repaired, or even replaced. Mold and fungus growth can develop because of several reasons like high humidity and the accumulation of dirt and debris. This type of growth doesn’t always mean your siding is completely ruined, but it’s a great idea to have it inspected just to make sure.
One of the main reasons for wanting to completely resolve any mold and mildew issues is because of health risks related to their spores becoming airborne and people breathing them in. Usually, mold and mildew can be cleaned with a home solution of water and vinegar, but as a home owner, it’s a good idea to find the root cause of the problem and get it permanently resolved so as to avoid any future problems.
Got a Roofing Problem?
If you’ve found any of the issues explained in this article on your roof or siding, call your local roofer for an inspection. You’ll be thankful you did and you’ll probably save your self a lot of money.
