How to Tell if you Need a New Roof – Exterior Checks

damaged-roof

During the times of year when you spend the majority or your time outdoors in the beautiful West Michigan weather cooking out, spending time with friends and family, or doing some yard work. Take a look at your roof every once in a while to see if there are any signs that it may be time to consider a new roof. Here are a few key things to keep an eye out for.

Visually inspect your roof
Look out for cracked, torn, bald or missing shingles. Also take a look around chimneys, vents, pipes or other penetrations for worn or loose material. It’s possible in some cases that these things can be repaired or replaced, but if there is excessive damage or large areas or worn material, you should consider having a roofing expert give you an estimate on a new roof.
Look for clues
Even if everything looks good visually from far away, keep an eye out for shingle granules. They will look like large grains of sand and will typically be found in your gutters or at the end of your drain spout. If you start to find large amounts of granules, it’s a sign of advanced wear of your roof.
Dark spots and trails
Dark spots or trails may be signs of algae or mold. In some cases this can be cleaned off, but it is typically this means that your roof is showing age and you should look into how long ago your roof was installed and consider a new one.
Check for moisture
If you do see damaged or missing shingles, take a look around for signs of moisture, mold, or rot. You may not see spots directly under the damaged area because the water will travel to the lowest spot before it settles. Mold and bacteria can grow within 1-2 days of a water related problem.

If you find something questionable going on with your roof, feel free to give one of our West Michigan roofing specialists at Werner Roofing a call to schedule a roof inspection on your home. (616) 844-5382

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