It’s hard to say enough about the importance of a good solid roof. It keeps the rain and snow out, keeps you warm at night and protects you and your family from the outside world. That’s why it’s important to keep a close eye on yours Auckland roofs and check it often for signs that it might fail. If you notice any of the following roof problems and take care of them right away, you may be able to avoid more expensive repairs in the future.
Typical signs that you need a new roof
A roof nearing the end of its life may show signs such as:
The Leaky Roof
One of the most obvious signs that your roof is getting old is if it’s leaking. Go up into your attic often, preferably right after it rains, to look for leaks in your roof. Look carefully for signs of water ingress, as it is very likely that major leaks are starting in your home.
It’s also important to look for ice dams on the outside of your roof. When the snow on your roof melts, runs down to the eaves, and then refreezes, an ice dam forms. As the water continues to run down the roof and hit the ice dam, it can begin to seep under the shingles and into the home.
To increase
If you see mold or mildew growing on your walls or ceiling, it could be a sign of a leaky roof, condensation problems, or just a simple plumbing problem. Before you fix your roof, make sure your insulation is dry, your home has enough ventilation, and that your pipes and bathroom fixtures are not leaking. Any of these things can be fixed for less money than a new roof.
Next, we’ll discuss the different types of growth that can occur on your roof and what can happen if they do:
- Algae: This black, green organism can eat away at shingles and cause your roof to rot. This problem happens when there is too much water on the shingles or shakes. This allows the spores to settle and turn into algae. Because of the water that is often in the canals, algae can also grow there. Algae tends to grow on roofs in places with wet, humid climates, such as the Pacific Coast, the Northeast, and the Deep South.
The roof has holes
Wind damage is often the cause of cracked shingles. If the cracks are only in a few shingles, the best thing to do is to replace them. But if there are cracks all over the roof in random places, this is a clear sign that the roof needs to be replaced. If there are many cracks in the shingles, you should replace your roof within three to five years.
You can also go up into the attic, turn off the lights, and look up at your roof for cracks. If light is coming in, it may mean that your roof has holes or cracks that you should fix as soon as possible. See if you can fix your roof with a repair or if you need a new one.