Do you have a bad roof?
If you’re not sure, you may not want to delay finding out.
A study of building failures in the U.S. between 1989 and 2000 found that 21% of the failures began with a roof problem.
Besides, Forbes lists an old or bad roof as the number one deal-breaker for home buyers.
Here are some things to look for to help you decide if it is time to call a roofer.
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5 Signs You Have a Bad Roof
Some roof problems are obvious. When rain is dripping down into your bedroom, it’s easy to understand you need to check out your roof.
Some are less obvious and you’ll need a roofing company to help you confirm whether the problem is in serious need of attention. It may be a quick fix, but likely it needs to be done sooner rather than later.
Here are 5 signs you have a bad roof.
1. Sagging Roof Deck
The roof deck is a roofing material that provides structural support for your roof.
Your roof deck may be sagging due to a leak, framing issues, rotten or saturated sheathing, and more.
If you notice your roof is lower on one side than the other or if there appears to be sagging between rafters, it is time to call a roofer to check out your roof.
2. Leaking
Aside from the obvious roof leak mentioned above, there are other signs of leaking from a bad roof which is more subtle.
Some of the subtle signs of a roof leak are stained ceilings, stains around bathroom fans or light fixtures, leaking roof vents, and peeling paint.
3. Broken, Rusted, or Rotted Flashing
Flashing is the material that roofers put around items that extend up through your roof or are attached to your roof. The flashing directs the water to flow away from the object rather than down into your roof.
Flashing can be found around your chimney, gutters, vents, roof valleys, skylights roofing boots, and against walls that intersect your roof.
If you have boot rot or other flashings that are damaged, you need to get it fixed asap.
4. Mold
Mold can grow anywhere where there is moisture and not enough ventilation to allow the moisture to dissipate.
Mold growing inside your house on exterior walls is a bad roofing sign. Other places you may get mold is inside your attic or on your shingles.
Mold can cause serious health risks. The problem may be due to poor ventilation or a roof leak, but either way, mold should be addressed as soon as you find it.
5. Shingles Don’t Look Right
Shingles should be flat and uniform in color to each other.
If you are seeing shingles that are cracked or curling, they need to be replaced.
If some of your shingles are darker or feel wet, those are roof signs for shingles that have moisture in them. It might be those shingles that are bad or the leak might be somewhere higher up.
If you see what looks like black sand in your gutters, it is a sign your shingles have been taking damage.
Check Your Roof for These Signs Today
If your roof has any of these bad roof signs, it is time to get a qualified roofer out to take a look.
Remember, getting help early may mean the difference between being able to repair your roof and having to replace all or part of it.
For more great tips on what to look out for around your house, check out the “Home Improvement” section of our website.
