The integrity of your home’s roof is something every homeowner should proactively check on and address as needed. You roof protects your entire home, so if something is to happen to it, all of your personal belongings and assets are in danger. As Maryland roof repair specialists, we recommend keeping your eyes open for the following signs of roof damage and getting it repaired as soon as possible to avoid extensive water damage to your home.
Water Stains
This is an obvious one: if you see water stains, you probably have a leaky roof. However, water stains can also be caused by plumbing leaks, so don’t blame your roof just yet. If you found a water stain on a ceiling, go upstairs and check if there is a bathroom directly above it—if so it’s likely due to leaky plumbing. If there is no plumbing above the stain, or if it’s on a wall or in some other odd place, it may still be your roof. Water can travel far from its source, choosing the path of least resistance. It can even make its way into the basement without causing visible damage in other parts of the home. Finding the origin of a roof leak can be tricky—you should call your Maryland roof repair professional for an inspection.
Roof Debris
If you are walking your dog around your property and have stumbled upon some rusted nails, pieces of wood, shingles or other debris, don’t dismiss it. It’s possible that your roof suffered some damage during a recent storm or from the hands of an opportunistic animal. Sometimes, you may be able to see the damage with a naked eye, while in other cases a close-up roof inspection is needed. If you decide to climb on the roof to confirm the damage, be very careful and always have someone with you on the ground to help with the ladder.
Granules in the Gutters
Asphalt shingles are covered with small mineral granules applied to make shingles more resistant to UV damage, moisture and weather in general. Over time, as shingles age, the granules may start to slowly crumble away. Things like hail, walking on the roof and quality of shingles may also affect how soon the granules fall off. If your asphalt shingle roof is experiencing granule loss, you will typically find these granules clogging your gutters or piling up at the exit of the downspouts.
As the granules roll off, the shingles become “bold” and have little protection against the elements. It’s only a matter of time before a leak happens. Sometimes, only a few defective shingles shed granules, so replacing them will solve the problem. But if the entire roof is affected, it might be time for roof replacement.
Curling or Buckling Shingles
The shingles on your roof should lay flat. If they are not flat in any way, they will be at risk of being lifted up and blown off by the wind. Sometimes, shingles may curl due to aging or excessive heat. They may also buckle and become wavy due to wet or improperly installed underlayment. You can often see curled and wavy shingles from the ground.
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs, feel free to contact Platinum Exteriors for professional roof repair in Maryland.
