A strong and well-installed roofing system can handle all kinds of weather elements, be it ice storms or strong rains. However, it can deteriorate as time passes by.
In most cases, you won’t be aware that your roof is damaged until a tragic thing happens, such as the wind blowing your roofing material away. You could prevent this kind of situation by familiarizing yourself with these tell-tale signs of a roof emergency:
- Water Leakage
Water leaks are a sign that your roof is leaking, so you’ll need to check your roof before the problem worsens. If the problem isn’t taken care of right away, the hole may grow bigger, letting in more water.
There are several signs of water leakage in a home. One is a ceiling that’s stained brown. The stain can expand in circumference over time. Its size reflects the time it takes the water to dry up after landing on your ceiling. Thus, the source of the leak will be the roof section directly above the stain. Have the stained ceiling inspected by a professional like a roofing Colorado contractor. If you fail to address the issue or ignore the problem, your ceiling will eventually cave in.
Another sign is paint peeling off your walls. Water presence will cause the paint layers to dis-attach from each other, hence, the peeling. You’re likely to find water drip stains around this area. Follow the trajectory of the drips to identify the source of the water.
If you have an attic and it’s suddenly damp and stuffy, you’ll need to examine your roof. A damp room is often a sign of moisture present in the area, and since there’s no tap in the attic, the roof is the only possible source. You can also identify water leakage if the attic tends to flood after a heavy downpour. Before this kind of problem extends to other parts of your home, call in a professional as soon as possible.
- Rotting Roof Components
Rotting roofing parts, such as rafters and struts, is a sign there’s an issue with your roof as well. This is usually common in homes that have an attic.
The only reason rafters will start to rot is that they’ve been exposed to moisture for a long period of time. Most roofing parts are made of wood, which is sensitive to water. Since roofing components support your roofing system, you’ll need to act fast.
- Chipped Roofing
A properly working roof should have its materials well intact. However, if you find some parts missing, you’ll need to repair the roof. Moreover, if your roof has an extensive overhang that has a loose section that tends to keep rising and falling with strong winds, you’ll have to replace or repair it, depending on the extent of damage. This problem is common in roof with iron sheets.
In addition, you can check your gutter for signs of roof chipping. A gutter filled with roof parts and particles needs to be cleaned.
- High Energy Bills
High energy bills are a sign of a roof emergency too. One way your roof can result in high energy bills is a roofing system that gets too hot. Some types of roofing, such as asphalt, can get extremely hot. For example, during summer in New York City, a dark-colored asphalt roof can reach a temperature between 150 and 175 degrees.
Water leaks affect areas with insulation: ceiling, walls, and attic. They will cause the insulating material to shrink. Since the fiberglass or cellulose insulation is filled with so much water, the roofing insulation will no longer serve its purpose. As a result, your HVAC unit will consume a lot of energy.
Poorly installed roofing insulation is a factor as well. It will make air-conditioning and heating systems work harder during summer and winter.
Therefore, if all other aspects of your home are working well but your energy bills remain high, let a professional assess and repair your roof. They can also replace the roofing insulation.
- Clogged Gutter
A clogged gutter might not seem like an issue at the moment, but it’ll eventually be to your roof. Gutters aim to drain rainwater from your roof. So, if it’s clogged, water will remain trapped on the roof, which will absorb it and experience leaks. Furthermore, stagnant water will interfere with the roofing material’s quality, reducing its lifespan.
To avoid an expensive roof replacement, unclog your gutter and cover its top.
Conclusion
A crucial element of homes, the roof works to protect you from natural elements like snow and strong winds. To ensure it remains in good condition, watch out for these signs of a roof emergency and address the problem as soon as you can.
