Telltale Signs of Winter Roof Damage

There are many signs that indicate your roof is in need of attention. Sometimes, in the cold of winter, these signs become more self-evident as a result of melting snow, cascading ice or just the expansion and contraction of roof elements as a result of changes in the weather.

At Dick’s Roofing, we are experts in pinpointing what is causing the leak you may be experiencing, the wear you may be seeing or just the sounds you might hear that give you pause about the condition of the roof over your head.

The age of your roof is obviously a major factor in considering repair versus replacement. Most roofing experts will tell you most roofs should have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. That is not a hard and fast rule. It is just the composite average of what most roofs do. Whether or not your roof was installed over old shingles will also affect how soon you need it replaced. Generally speaking, you can subtract approximately five years from the expected lifespan of a roof that was installed over old shingles. An excessive amount of granules in your gutters are also a sign of an aging roof.

One telltale indication of an aging, faulty roof is curling or buckling shingles. If you are witnessing this on your roof it may be time to call Dick’s for an estimate on getting it repaired before the curling and buckling results in more damage from leaks.

Roof valleys also need to be monitored closely. Snow and rain flow through valleys to the gutters and leaks often develop in those areas. You can often check in your attic to see if leaks are becoming evident in areas where the roofing is dipping.

If your house is missing shingles, you should ask Dick’s to ascertain if you need an entire new roof, or if you can get by with a repair of the area affected. Sometimes missing shingles are an indication that there are bigger issues pending with your entire roof. But there are times, as well, where wind or storm damage might affect only a small area and you can get by with a simple repair.

Chimney flashing should be watched closely in the winter. If the original flashing was done with roof cement or tar, you should consider replacing it with water tight metal flashing.

Daylight showing through into your attic means you need to do something quickly. If you are walking on the roof and your footing feels spongy or bouncy, you may have moisture damage to the underlying decking.

Animals in the attic often find their way in through holes in the roof. You would be amazed at how small a hole can be for an animal and still find their way in.

Dick’s Roofing is already scheduling roof replacements into the spring. If you need a free estimate or consultation on the condition of your roof, Dick’s Roofing is the place Kenoshans call to get the best product at the best price. We specialize in happy customers. Call today to make an appointment.