Most homeowners do not pay much attention to their roofs as they pull in the driveway at the end of a long workday, and it is highly unlikely that they have taken the time to walk around while up on their roof. A certified roofer from your local roofing company, however, can tell what condition your roof is in and when it needs to be repaired or replaced in just a few moments. They know exactly what to look for.
1. Curled: Asphalt shingles are meant to hug your roof tightly. When they start to cup, curl, or otherwise lift up from the surface of your roof, they are nearing the end of their useful life. This telltale sign that you need a new roof is visible from the street.
2. Shiny: Another easily recognizable sign that your roof needs replacing is if you have large, shiny spots on your roof. When shingles are first manufactured, they have a textured gravel sprayed onto the surface. This protects the shingle from the elements. Over time, as shingles age, this gravel wears off. The worn shingle is not noticeable at first, but as more and more nearby shingles lose their gravel coating, they appear like a shiny spot on your roof.
3. Missing: At first glance, a homeowner may think that missing shingles are due to a recent storm with strong winds and heavy rain. Shingles, however, are required by the International Residential Code to stay attached to your roof in up to 90 mph winds. Unless you recently lived through a Category 2 hurricane, there should not be missing shingles on your roof. This is a sign of age and deterioration rather than the wrath of nature.
4. Squishy: When a roofing contractor walks around on your roof, they are not only looking at the condition of the roof but also determining how it feels underfoot. When you walk around on the roof of a house, it should feel solid. When shingles start to fail, they can allow water to get beneath them and penetrate the plywood sheathing of your roof, causing the wood to start to rot. This rotting gives your roof a telltale squishy or bouncy feeling when you walk on it, similar to an inflatable bounce house.
Your roof protects not only your home but also your family from the elements. Taking care of it with the help of your local roofing company is important.
To learn more, contact a certified roofer.