Your home is probably the most expensive purchase of your life, so looking after it makes sense. But do you pay attention to your roof? Roofing is kind of a mysterious subject that few people know much about. Yet a problem with the roof is potentially the most catastrophic issue your home can have.
A small leak can deposit water inside wall cavities, on electrics and more, leading to mould that can cause health issues and expensive repairs. It pays to spot potential issues with your roof early, and then do something about them. But what do you look for if you suspect your roof may have problems? Its age can be a good sign.
1. Think about the Age of Your Roof and when the warranty expires
Perhaps the best indicator of when you should start paying extra attention to your roof is how long it has been in place. Climate also effects lifespans too, and with Calgary having hot, humid summers, harsh rainstorms and cold, snowy winters, your Calgary roof has to contend with extremes of temperatures and destructive weather that other regions don’t. As a rough guide, industry data shows that lifespans for home roofs in Calgary are around:
- Asphalt Shingle Roofs – 15 to 30 years depending on the type of shingles
- Rubber Shingles – 10 – 15 years
- Cedar Shingles – up to 50 years
- Metal Roofing – Up to 50 years
- Concrete Tile Roofing – Between 35 and 50 years
Asphalt Shingle is the most common type of roofing and the one that most likely applies to your home. If it is more than 15 years old it could be time for a new one. If you have had a new roof fitted to your home in the past it probably came with a warranty of 40 or more years. However, that is not an indication of how long the roof will last, and warranties often exclude some of the more common issues, such as cracking, shingle distortion or buckling, fading colour and more.
When checking your roof, one of the most obvious signs of a problem is the sagging roof deck.
2. Sagging roof deck leading to dips and undulations
Sagging occurs when the deck between the rafters begin to sag, and you can easily spot the problem as the roof itself sags too. This produces an uneven appearance with dips and undulations.
Causes include rotten decking, often caused by water leaks, delamination of the decking material, using unsuitable decking materials such as fiberboard, or decking material that is too thin to support the weight of the roof.
This is a problem that needs fixing with some urgency, the roof will continue to sag in those areas and that can eventually lead to a collapse. One of the causes of many problems in the roof is water leaks.
3. Leaks and water damage can build up over time
A leak is the thing that we worry about more than any other, and there are good reasons for it.
Unseen leaks allow for water to build up of water in your home. This can rot parts of the structure, leading to very expensive repairs. Standing water also produces dangerous mould, which releases toxic spores into the home that can cause all sorts of health issues for those living in it, including severe respiratory problems. This is a particular problem for Calgary homes due to the humidity that encourages mould growth, as well as periods of extensive rain that allows a leak to build quickly.
Leaks must be spotted early, so keep an eye out for stains or spots on walls, and for mold growth anywhere in your home. A less serious, but just as important issue is the shingles themselves.
4. Damaged shingles allow water and weather into your home
Shingles are exposed to the elements, the bear the brunt of the weather so it should come as no surprise that they can get damaged over time. Swe have already mentioned how the climate in Calgary is particularly harsh on your roof, so this is an area to pay attention to more closely than you would in a more temperate climate. Sometimes shingles can fall off the roof, others may buckle or curl, or lose their granules to create bald spots or an uneven appearance, so any damage should be rectified as soon as possible.
A visual inspection can quickly spot these, and the good news is they are relatively easy to fix by a professional roofing contractor. Because they can lead to leaks and other more serious issues, if you see a problem with a damaged shingle, get someone to fix it as quickly as possible.
Get into the habit of looking at your roof every week, because it is not just damaged shingles you can see from the ground. You may also spot issues with your flashing.
5. Flashing issues can result in leaks and damage your shingles too
Flashing problems can also let water under the shingles and into the decking of your roof. That can cause rot and lead to sagging, or water can find its way to settle in unseen areas and produce mould. It makes sense then, to visually check your flashing where possible every week, with your shingles.
You should focus on chimneys, vents and skylights, and look for buckled or lifting flashing that doesn’t sit flush with the shingles themselves. These need fixing quickly, you don’t want water getting into your home as it means expensive problems later on, and worse.
Your visual inspection should take into account flashing, but you can look for other problems too, including the buildup of moss and algae.
6. Moss and algae growth undermines the structure of your roof if left unchecked
During your regular visual inspection, look out for green discolouration on the shingles. What does that mean? It is a sign of moss or algae buildup, and while it doesn’t sound too much of an issue, can actually be a real problem. Canada is particularly susceptible to this problem, with an estimated more than half of roofs in the country affected by such growth, especially in more humid climates such as Vancouver.
Growth gets under the edges of the shingles and causes lifting, separating shingles and leaving gaps for water to get through. The growth also shortens the lifespan of your shingles, so leaving it can be an expensive mistake.
This kind of growth needs professional treatment to remove. You can minimize the chances of growth by ensuring that any nearby trees or causes of shade are trimmed back, and have your guttering cleaned regularly to avoid blockages and standing water.
Guttering is crucial for your roof’s performance.
7. Clogged guttering allows a build up of water than can cause many issues
Clogged gutters lead to standing water which in turn promotes moss and algae growth. We have already mentioned how that can damage your roof. In addition, the debris itself can be damaging, and in general, a roof with clogged gutters tends to see more problems than those with working drainage.
Regular professional gutter cleaning ensures that water flows easily, preventing the kind of buildups that are bad for your roof and your health. But these visual inspections from the outside are not the only way to check your roof, you can also look for problems in the attic.
8. Sunlight peeping through roof boards is a sign of problems
If you head into the attic or roof space and can see sunlight through the roof boards, this is a sign of a problem that must be addressed immediately. If sunlight can get through, so can water, and that means you have a leaking roof, whether you have found water or not.
These kinds of gaps can be filled and must be dealt with quickly, as every time it rains, water collects somewhere in your home. There is another way to quickly spot a roof problem too, without even venturing into the attic.
9. Increased energy bills can be caused by roof problems
Have you noticed your energy bills going up? That could be a sign that your roof has an issue. If the roof has gaps or is compromised in some way, it also compromises the insulation underneath, especially if there is a constant leak.
The result is poorer insulation performance and higher bills, as you pay to heat or cool the air leaving your home. If you think there is an issue, it’s time to get the professionals in to check your roof over. Another internal issue that can cause problems is roof ventilation.
10. Good ventilation is crucial for the health of your roof
Poor roof ventilation can cause mould growth, sagging, ice problems in winter and a general deterioration of your roofing. The result of any of those is an expensive repair, so it is important to check that there is adequate ventilation where it is supposed to be.
With such temperature extremes found in Calgary, the roof of your home is especially vulnerable to ventilation problems, and they can be serious. A recent study showed that poor ventilation allows for condensation to form as cooler, conditioned air meets the much warmer undersurface of the roof in the attic, and in the winter, cool air can condense in the insulation, both causing damp problems. If your attic or roof space gets unbearably hot in summer, this could be an indication there is an issue, and you need to have a professional inspection of your roof.
Conclusion: Leverage free estimates from roof repair companies!
With any roof issue, it must be dealt with as soon as possible. Leaving them tends to lead to worse problems and more expensive fixes. To keep your roof in the best condition possible, regular inspections and a maintenance program with a professional roofing company are a wide investment. Likewise, don’t be tempted to carry out repairs yourself, get the professionals in and make sure that your roof issues are dealt with promptly, effectively and safely.
