It is an unfortunate fact that residential roofs don’t last forever, and the hot summer months can take quite a toll on the shingles and underlayment. When the weather starts to warm up, you need to keep an eye out for any signs that it might be time to have your roof repaired or replaced entirely.
Curled Shingles
Even though modern roof shingles are incredibly resilient, they can begin to cup and curl if they are constantly exposed to moisture. Curling usually takes place when there isn’t proper ventilation in the attic, but it can also occur when there are multiple heavy rainstorms in a short period of time. One or two curled shingles probably aren’t a big deal, but you should contact a roofing company like The Roof Doctor if you have recently noticed that multiple shingles throughout your roof are damaged.
Faded Colors
Over the course of a few decades, your roof shingles are going to fade. No matter what steps you take to protect them, constant sun exposure will eventually change their colors. Luckily, this is usually nothing more than a cosmetic issue. That being said, faded shingles should not be ignored if accompanied by other signs of damage, such as curling, cracking, or shifting of shingles.
Excessive Bird Droppings
Many homeowners don’t realize that bird droppings can actually cause an incredible amount of damage in a short period of time. Those droppings usually contain uric acid, and that particular form of acid is extremely corrosive. To prevent unnecessary damage, you should regularly rinse your roof with a garden hose or power washer. You can also place perch repellent gel on the shingles to discourage birds from perching on your rooftop.
Piles of Granules
Most shingles are covered in thousands of tiny granules, and those minerals are going to get rinsed off over the years. It is perfectly normal for a few granules to fall off during a storm or heavy winds, but you shouldn’t see piles of granules in your rain gutters or near the sides of your home. When a shingle loses most of its granules, it won’t offer as much protection, and that could result in water damage.
Replacing your roof on your own might be tempting, but those types of projects are extremely dangerous. Even with the proper tools, a mishap could happen in the blink of an eye. If you have recently noticed any problems with your roof, then you need to contact a reputable roofing contractor who has all of the proper licenses and permits.
