How to Know Whether it’s Time to Patch or Replace
Having a strong, healthy roof is key to keeping you and your family safe, warm, and dry. If installed correctly, most modern roofing systems will last decades, but eventually time and the elements can make even the best roof show its age. From holes to water damage to missing shingles, it’s usually fairly easy to notice when something’s wrong with your roof, but how do you know whether it’s time to replace, patch or repair it? In this article, we’ll teach you to recognize signs of roof damage, and help you assess whether repair or replacement is right for your roof.
General warning signs
Roof damage can be subtle, gradually accruing over time until a more serious and urgent problem emerges. There are a few broad indicators that the team at Pinnacle Roofing recommends keeping an eye out for to determine if your roof is in need of maintenance:
- Curling, cracked or missing shingles
- Discoloration, moss or algae
- Rot
- Shingle granules in gutters
- Visible sunlight from the attic
- Indoor leaks
- Sagging roof
In addition to watching for the above, we suggest inspecting your roof for damage after extreme weather, especially if yours is older or has previously suffered damage.
When checking the outside of the roof, look out for water spots and discoloration. These are small areas where water damage has warped the shingles and exterior finish. Pay particular attention to where the roof meets the exterior walls. This area can become distorted when damaged, and can lead to costly repairs down the line.
When you’re on the roof, be sure to check your gutters. Many homeowners in the Memphis area find their gutters clogged with branches, leaves, and plant debris, which can cause water damage to their roof the next time it rains. A damaged roof may also have little granules clogging the gutters or washing out the downspouts. These granules come from shingles that are either damaged or have been exposed to sunlight for too long. Granules can also be a sign of other roof damage. Look at the shingles themselves. If they are cracked or are cupping, this could mean the shingles are breaking down due to weather or a lack of proper ventilation from the inside.
To monitor inside roof damage, pay attention to the attic space and rooms closest to the top of the house. Water damage will begin to warp the ceiling and walls of the rooms below. If you have hardwood floors, you may also start to see drops or puddles of water in the middle of the room.
If you find any outside debris in your home, this can mean there is a hole somewhere in the roof. Look for where the debris may have come from to locate the hole.
If you notice any of these warning signs in your roof, it’s best to take action immediately. Delaying care can lead to worse problems down the road. Recognizing issues is the first step; now, you have to decide whether it’s time to replace, patch, or repair.
When to patch or repair your roof
For small, isolated instances of damage to your roof, patches or repairs will usually get the job done. Damage to a few shingles, small holes, or minor leaks can be repaired inexpensively and effectively by the Pinnacle Roofing team, which can extend the life of your roof for years.
To put it generally, minor damage to the surface of your roof can be easily solved with quick and inexpensive repairs from our team. This damage will usually result from mid-strength storms or natural parts of the roof aging process.
It’s important to note that, as roofs age, repairs and patches will become less effective. At some point in the life of any roof, replacement will become necessary.
When to replace your roof
Sometimes your roof will be beyond the point of patching or simple repair. A major loss of structural integrity in your roof like sagging eaves, large holes, and lots of leakage or water damage is a sign that it’s time to replace.
Most roofs have a lifespan of 20-40 years, so the age of your roof is yet another factor to keep in mind when considering whether to replace your roof! Though the roof replacement process can be time- and cost-intensive, it’s more than worth it to have the experts at Pinnacle Roofing help you keep your house and family safe and dry.
Make the best choice for your roof at Pinnacle Roofing
Whether roof repair or replacement is necessary, the best time to take action is now. The longer your roof is left damaged, the more exposed your house is to the elements, which could mean further repairs.
By trusting Pinnacle Roofing for your roof replacement, patching, and repairing needs, you can rest easy knowing that your roof is getting the best treatment available in Memphis. The expert roofing contractors at Pinnacle Roofing have been serving Memphis and the Mid-South for years, and only use the safest and most advanced roofing materials to fix your roof.
Want help inspecting your roof? Need to replace, patch, or repair? Have any questions or concerns? Contact us today for a free roof consultation or estimate. We look forward to working with you!