We install
asphalt shingles and metal roofing.
The deterioration of a roof often goes unnoticed until water starts to appear inside the house, by which time there can be substantial unseen damage to the structure, insulation and visual damage to internal finishes. Even when people buy a new house, they often don't have a detailed assessment of the state of the roof- out of sight and out of mind.
However, it is possible to spot signs that your roof may need repair or replacement, even from the ground, or from an internal loft space. We recommend that you write 'roof inspection' in your diary every 3 months, and simply take a few photos of your roof (higher definition photos if possible) and have a close look at them yourself or send them to us for a remote roof inspection. By doing this you can spot any problems early, and you can also refer to previous photos if you feel that something has changed. If simple problems such as a broken shingle are not addressed as part of routine maintenance, the resulting weak point in the roof may allow wind, rain, and animals to expand the problem making it more expensive to resolve, or ultimately the destruction of the roof. With the roof more than any other aspect of the building the old adage applies: a stitch in time saves nine.
If you'd like, send us photos for a remote inspection we'd be looking for any of the following signs:
Any loose, or broken shingles or other roofing material. High winds or heavy rain can cause dislodgement or breakage, and it is natural for the whole roof structure to subtly shift and ultimately degrade over a very long period of time. Birds, squirrels, or other wildlife may take advantage of any gaps they encounter in order to enjoy the warmth and protection of your roof, working their way in to create a cozy nest in your cozy home!
Asphalt shingles degrade over time like any other material, but as they are granular you may notice granules with the appearance of black coarse sand in your gutters.
If you have a loft space, go up during daylight, and then turn your lights off, in order to see if the light comes through the roof. If sunlight comes through, there may be gaps or deteriorating shingles or roofing membrane that needs to be resolved to prevent rain from coming in.
Any signs of water pooling on flat roofs, including the growth of moss or water stains where water has pooled and evaporated.
If you notice that your roof is sagging you should contact us immediately- this is a strong indication that the roof structure is struggling to hold up the weight of the roof, possibly weakening due to water ingress, or woodworm infestation, or additional weight has exceeded the structural capacity of the roof: for example particularly heavy snow, newer heavier concrete tiles or other heavy roofing material. If a cold roof structure is not adequately ventilated condensation can cause roof timers to weaken over time, so you could assess the ventilation in your loft space.
