Knowing when to have your roof repaired is one of the most important things that you can do as a homeowner.
Your roof guards you from the elements and ensures your home remains a safe and comfortable environment throughout the seasons. Fail to maintain it, and you will soon realise exactly what you were taking for granted with structural damage, destruction of property, mould growth, and health problems all potential problems associated with a badly compromised roof.
Like anything in your home, your roof needs regular maintenance to keep it in great condition and this includes the occasional fix carried out by a professional roof repairs Glasgow expert. But how exactly do you know when the time comes to call in the professionals? Well, you should have your roof cleaned every so often as part of regular maintenance and any issues may well be flagged up at that point, but there are also a range of early warning signs to look out for that can prevent you facing major issues further down the line.
8 signs that your roof needs to be repaired
Leaks
Perhaps the most obvious and common sign that your roof is failing in its fundamental task as guardian against the elements is a water leaking inside the property.
There are many reasons that your roof might be leaking, from missing tiles to cracked seals or displaced flashing, but whatever the cause, you need to take action to resolve them quickly. Allowing a leak to grow can have very serious consequences including rotten structural beams, destruction of valuable possessions, and mould growth.
Call a professional in your area the moment you see water stains on your ceilings or in the attic.
Missing shingles
Shingles are a fundamental part of your roof’s structure and your first line of defence. Missing shingles, even in the absence of any leaks are a sign that serious problems aren’t too far away. Over the years shingles can be displaced in many different ways including strong wings, cracking, or bird activity. Luckily, act early at this stage and the repair will be very affordable and no serious damage will be done.
Granules on the floor
Granules are small sand like particles that protect the shingles themselves from harm and play a key role in preventing UV rays from harming your roof. If you keep finding these in your gutters or on the floor around the exterior of your home, repairs may be needed. This is most common on properties with an aging roof and is more a sign of gradual deterioration than one single incident.
Cracking
We get a lot of different weather and temperatures in Scotland and whilst roofs are designed to cope with them in the main, they will take their toll over the years. Cracked and curling shingles are not that unusual, but do compromise the weather protection that your roof provides, and makes you more susceptible to wind and rain in the future.
Damage to the flashing
Roof flashing is the thin metal installed around any opening to your roof such as sky lights or chimneys. It is there to protect the seals between these fixtures and your roof and prevent water from seeping inside. If it starts to come away from the roof, is cracked, or damaged in any other way, leaking won’t be far away and swift action should be taken.
Soaring energy bills
Everyone is dealing with a spike in the energy bills at this point in time, but if you spot a sudden rise in your energy use, with no change in your tariff, everyday activity, or other obvious cause, a damaged roof may be to blame.
Your roof plays a vital role in determining how easy it is to regulate temperature inside your home and having it repaired will allow you to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter without forking out an overly excessive amount for energy.
Pests in the attic
If you think that you have squirrels or rats in your loft, you need to call a professional pest controller as well as a roof repair expert. However, they must be getting in somehow, and these rodents will often chew their way through your roof and the eaves of your roof in order to gain access. A professional roofer will be able to locate any holes in your roof and seal them to prevent further animal infestation issues.
You have an old roof
If your roof is several decades old and has never been inspected or repaired to your knowledge, the chances are that some work will need to be carried out. Being pro-active and having your roof examined at this stage will help you to catch any minor problems and prevent them from turning into anything more serious.