Your roof – though you may not think about it often – protects your home from all kinds of environmental dangers. It even protects your home’s structural integrity, so it makes sense to maintain it properly throughout its lifespan.
The best way to keep tabs on your roof’s performance (and measure how long it’ll last) is to get a free roof inspection once a year from Brotherhood Roofing, a team of Allen, TX roofers who can ensure your roof is doing its job to protect your home and family.
Free Roof Inspection by one of our Allen Roofing Experts today!
You should have your roof inspected at least once a year and after any major storm sweeps through the area. (We’re happy to offer free annual roof inspections to everyone in Allen.)
You should also call professional roofing contractors if you notice any signs of damage – especially a leak.
Most asphalt roofs are built to last between 20 and 30 years. Even with the best installation, the materials typically only last that long. Other materials have different lifespans, but it’s important to note that poor installation can shorten a roof’s lifespan significantly. Check out the average lifespans for various types of roofing materials below.
It can be tough to tell if there’s something wrong with your roof without climbing up there and checking things out yourself – and for safety reasons, we don’t recommend that homeowners walk around their roofs, particularly if they’re steep or could be slippery from water, algae growth, or other conditions. However, you can do a visual inspection the next time you clean your gutters, while you’re walking around the perimeter of your home, or while you’re in your attic. Look for symptoms like:
Asphalt shingles are coated in tiny granules that help them shed water and protect your roofing materials from harmful ultraviolet rays. Over time, these granules can wear away. When that happens, shingles appear to have “bald spots,” and those spots are a sign that you may need a roof replacement soon.
Your shingles are your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so if they’re cracked, curling up at the edges, broken or missing, it’s time to call in the Allen roofing professionals. Shingles keep water from getting into your roofing materials, where it can cause major (and expensive) damage.
You shouldn’t be able to see nail heads on your roof – if you do, that means there may be a pathway for water to get into your roofing materials. Likewise, the flashing (the sealing material used around things that protrude from your roof, such as your chimney, skylights and vents) is damaged, there could be a way for water to seep in.
If you see nail heads or damaged flashing, you should have a professional inspect your roof immediately – we may be able to prevent a leak if we can fix the issue in time.
Your attic should never feel damp. In fact, it should be just a few degrees off the outside temperature and remain dry – and if your roof vents are working properly (and your roof is in good condition), it will be. However, if your attic is damp, or if you see signs of water damage, such as stained spots on the wood, mold growth, or visibly dripping water, you need to call Allen, TX roofing contractors immediately. Moisture has the potential to ruin your roof, even if it’s new, and it can harm the structural integrity of your entire home.
If you notice mold growth or peeling, bubbling or cracked paint on your fascia (the boards that face outward beneath your roof line), it’s a sign that there’s water coming into contact with your roofing materials. Sometimes this happens when gutters are backed up or not working properly, and if we catch it in time, we can prevent major problems.
Sometimes you can’t see bald spots on your shingles (especially if the granules and the shingles are the same color), but if you notice shingle granules anywhere but where they belong – on your shingles – it’s a sign that your shingles are degrading. That can happen with age, or it can happen when your shingles are impacted by hail or other debris (such as branches from a nearby tree).
If you notice water leaking into your home, you’re right: it shouldn’t be. The only place water should come from is your tap.
A water leak is a serious issue, and it’s something you need to address immediately. Water leaks never get better with time, and even a small leak has the potential to destroy your entire roof and compromise your home’s structure. You may notice brown stains on your ceilings or walls, a damp feeling in some rooms, or even visible water dripping from the ceiling. Leaks are a household emergency, and you should call Allen, TX roofers you can trust to deal with the problem right away.
Free Roof Inspection by one of our Allen Roofing Experts today!
If it’s been more than a year since your last roof inspection, or if you notice any of the issues listed here, it’s time to call an Allen roofing contractor you can rely on. Brotherhood Roofing will be happy to send a professional to your home to help you, no matter what type of roof problem you’re experiencing.
Free Roof Inspection by one of our Allen Roofing Experts today!
