Your Roof: Warning Signs You Need To Look Out For

October 14, 2017

Based on a few warning signs, you can easily spot roof problems. As soon as you notice them, give your roof the attention it deserves before things get worse and are more costly to repair.

When your gutters are filled with granules and wash out the downspouts, it is indicative that shingles are deteriorating or reaching the end of their lifespan. It is expected that some granules may tend to get loose, come off and collect in the gutters. However, if you suddenly notice a lot of the granules flowing out of the downspouts every time it rains, the next step is to get on a ladder and examine the shingles to see if they look somewhat exposed because most of the granules are gone.

What Does it Mean To See Granules?

Granules protect against the sun’s UV rays, so once they’re gone, the shingles can become brittle. In extreme cases, shingles can have smooth or bald spots where all of the granules have completely fallen off.

Losing the granules often means the shingles are old and needs replacement. If you are meaning to start repairing by yourself, it would be best to call the manufacture beforehand and double check if the shingles are still under warranty.

In the case of cracking shingles, this translates that the granules have probably been worn off, allowing the shingles to become brittle and needs to be replaced. Asphalt shingles do not like heat. You may not have noticed the granules washing away but if you see signs of cracking in your shingles, then it probably means they are being exposed to direct sunlight and are wearing out.

For cupping shingles, your roof might be telling you that the attic is not properly vented so you may need to reshingle. When shingles get old and worn out, the ends sometimes start to cup—the corners turn up or the shingles look wavy. An attic that is not vented properly can exacerbate this problem. If the attic gets too hot, it can heat up the roof, which consequently heats up the underside of the shingles. The heat can cause the shingles to age faster and start to cup. Eventually, that can allow wind-blown rain to work its way under the shingles and leak into the house.

Having an attic that is too hot is not the main culprit to the problem and it is more of a contributory factor. The main reason behind this would be how old the shingles are.