We might not pay a lot of attention to our roof, as it’s generally not something we look at every day.
A good-looking roof can improve the market value and aesthetics of your home. A roof in poor condition may make your home look drab and unkempt.
Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán
But, a roof in a state of disarray or in need of some TLC can potentially set up back thousands.
It’s important to maintain the condition of your roof, and not allow seemingly small and inconsequential matters build up over time, until they become a major hassle and hit you hard in the hip pocket.
On average, a roof restoration project can set you back anywhere from $4000 through to $10000, depending on the size of your roof and materials required. Some homeowners are able to enlist the help of a home warranty company to offset the cost of certain repairs.
Here are some things to look out for if your thinking your roof is becoming a bit rough and unstable.
- Water marks.
A good sign of a leaking roof is water. It might be water actually coming through your roof or some interesting, yet unsightly stains in your ceiling. These usually resemble a puddle and can be yellow.
It might start of as a small spluttering or stain, but untreated over time, it can potentially become a gushing waterfall or massive stain covering an entire corner or room.
Another sign is peeling paint on your ceiling, or doorways and window frames.
- Sagging roof.
This may be a fairly obvious indication that your precious over head mechanism is not functioning to the best of its capacity.
If your new roof is sagging, it’s more likely to be an incorrect install.
If your roof is older and sagging, it might be time to replace it.
- Missing or damaged shingles or tiles.
This is are the coverings which make up your roof.
These often come of in storms, intense rain or high winds.
Whilst on their own, they might not be the most expensive item to rectify or replace, if quite a few are missing, it might be a sign of more pertinent matters that require attention.
- Cracked, broken or discolored tiles or shingles.
If your roof coverings begin to look brittle, curled and out of their normal shape, chances are they need replacing.
A small number of damaged items can be replaced, bit if they are a greater number, it might be a forewarning to replace the entire system.
- Damaged eaves or other roofing materials.
If you notice your eaves, gutters, vents or other equipment is starting to look a little worse for wear, be sure to contact a professional roof restoration and repair business.
It might appear to be easy to give it a quick fix, but in some situations, it may be that your roofing materials are having trouble supporting the weight of the roof.
- You have a sunlight you didn’t have before.
If you notice you have sunlight shining through your roof or little gaps where the light comes in, it’s definitely time to get the professionals in.
Remember, if sunlight can get in, so can rain, hail and tiny little critters you don’t really want in your home.
- Mould, mildew or moss.
All the above require moisture to grow. If you observe these taking up residence in your ceiling or home, it’s unfortunately a testament that moisture has gotten through your roof and into your home.
Mould can have a grave effect on the home occupier’s health, especially those with asthma or raspatory concerns.
If you see mould, get help quick.
- Your power bill starts to go…through the roof….
Electricity is expensive enough in today’s times, without having your homes most essential covering contributing to it.
If there are issues with your roof, such as gaps, your heating and cooling systems will struggle to adequately control the climate the way they should.
- Damaged roof after storm.
Initially the SES might be available to cover up holes in the roof as an interim measure.
But if you have storm damage of any kind, it’s vital to get it checked out by a proficient company.
- She’s getting a little old.
It’s recommended to get your roof restored every ten to fifteen years. Or at least given the once over by a professional.
As with all things, over time, your roof becomes aged and less sturdy and reliable.
To decrease the chances of a large and unwanted expense, have your roof checked regularly and all concerns addressed promptly.
- Evidence of white ant wings.
White ants/termites are definitely an undesired house guest in anyone’s home.
Evidence of termites can range from finding white wings in your light fittings and window sills, to observing mud tubes on the outer walls of your home.
The damage they can cause is devastating.
But, it’s not just your walls and furniture they might devour, it’s also your roofing beams and disrupt the integrity of your roof.
- Pigeons taking up residence under your solar panels.
Solar panels are a valuable and popular resource and can save you funds on your power bill.
In some habitats, they also attract pigeons who appear to enjoy making the underneath of these panels their place of residence.
It might initially be just a nuisance situation. But, pigeon feces and the buildup of it, can be very corrosive and may damage both your solar panels and your roof.
A good deterrent for these critters is to erect some gris mesh at the base of your panels. This stops them from gaining access to your roof.
- Other vermin.
Be mindful to keep on tip of pest control in your home.
Animals such as rats love to chew. If these creatures get entry into your roof, they can cause a rather large amount of damage.
This can range from chewing through electrical cords, to pulling up and nesting in insulation.
They holes they leave after chewing may allow water to come into your home.