Homes, as sturdy as they may be, are always susceptible to failure. No matter how much attention you put into keeping your home maintained, there may be ways your roof could be starting to fail without you even knowing. Ramona has hot summers and occasional heavy rains, both of which can cause failures in your roofing. Here’s five signs you may need roofing repairs on your Ramona home.
Visible damage
The most obvious failure is missing or broken shingles. Heat can melt the adhesives connecting shingles, and the temperature changes of the seasons gradually wear at the material shingles are made of. With this wear and tear over months and years, it’s no surprise that heavy winds can simply rip the shingles off your home. Missing shingles are a big deal; they’re the primary way for houses to ward off water damage to its top. When you see missing shingles, it should become top priority to replace them as soon as you can.
Sagging, rotted wood
Water damage, initially, isn’t super obvious. It manifests in two forms; sagging, and rot. The former of which is usually a sign of extensive water damage. When your roof begins to sag, it means it’s holding too much weight, usually in the form of holding water. This state means the entire roof structure is liable to collapse, and as such you should seek immediate repairs. Rot, however, is more insidious, and usually is visible from the outside. If your house starts smelling off, then check your attic to look for signs of mold and mildew. If rot has started taking hold, you’ll also need to get repairs ASAP before the damage spreads.
Water leaks
However, water damage doesn’t have to get to this state to be noticeable. Usually, water isn’t completely contained into your roof; it’ll drip down into interior rooms of the house. Being proactive is always a good idea, because as always, luck is never on your side. Check rooms that aren’t visited occasionally such as unfinished areas, or storage rooms, for any signs of water leaks.
Holes
Additionally, while you’re up checking your attic, turn off the lights and take a look. While missing shingles are an obvious form of roof damage, shingles don’t have to be missing to need repair. During the day, if there is damage to shingles, holes can form, which can let both light and water in. If you turn off the lights, you can find these spots, and repair specific shingles for much cheaper than your entire roof.
Higher gas or electric bills
A less obvious source of roof damage may be your bills. Roofs aren’t just to keep the water and wind out; they’re also important for keeping heat in. Keep a record of how much was spent to heat your home throughout the seasons, and if the price suddenly jumps, or rapidly increases, then it may be time to get your roof checked out simply to keep your house better protected, and bills lower.
No matter the reason, a damaged roof is a roof that needs to be repaired. Repairs for your roof aren’t just a way to keep your home looking nice. Doing so prevents damages from spreading to the interior, keeping your home perfectly, well, homely as you live there. Water damage, and especially rot, can actually make homes completely non-viable as a living space. In Ramona especially, keeping your roof repaired should be a top priority.