It’s the one thing that no house owner wants to hear. Your roof needs replacing. Most of us don’t know too much about our roof, but we know they’re expensive to fix! But, like anything, the sooner you catch it, the easier it is to solve. More importantly, the cheaper it is to solve! The longer you leave roof problems to develop, the worse they’ll get. Remember, your roof is part of the structural integrity of the property. When it starts to fail, it threatens the entire structure of the home. Roofing isn’t a home repair you can do yourself, so you’ll need expert help. With that in mind, what should you look out for?
- Loose tiles
Loose tiles and slates are a sure sign there’s major damage up there. It means the cement is starting to come loose, and the holding structure is starting to weaken. It only takes a few strong winds to send those loose shingles flying off. It’s not only weakening the property, it poses a dangerous hazard. If you spot any loose or wonky tiles, it’s time to call out the experts, and see if there’s something more problematic up there.
- Sagging
You don’t need us to tell you that a sagging roof is bad news. The trouble is, we very rarely look up to notice the problem. Take the time to look at the roof from all angles. Is it starting to sag in the middle? If so, it’s a sure sign that the supporting beams are beginning to buckle under the weight. Unfortunately this is quite a major problem, as the beams themselves are beginning to lose strength. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the roof entirely.
- Light seeping through the slates
A good roof is entirely waterproof and secure. It’s watertight, and there are no gaps to exploit. If you go up into your attic space, you should see a pitch black roof, with no holes. However, if you can see shards of light creeping in through the roof, there’s a problem. It means the slates are shifting, and creating little holes. As you can imagine, water can easily infiltrate these holes, and start to cause further damage. This needs quick attention.
- Damp patches
If the roof is compromised, it will begin to let water and moisture into the property. Either through holes in the slates, or through weaknesses around the chimney pot. If you notice damp patches in the upstairs rooms, this may suggest a roof problem. Our advice is to call a local roofing company to assess the damp. They’ll help you determine where the source of trouble is.
- Age
Age is a big factor when it comes to roofing. Quite simply, our roofs have an expiry date! They will only last for a certain amount of time, before the constant weathering will break down their effectiveness. A typical roof will last between 20-25 years. If yours is older than that, then there may be underlying problems that will quickly worsen.
It’s something that no homeowner likes to admit, but facing up to it early is the best way to deal with it. Take the time to inspect your roof, and look for these worrying signs.
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