Posted by admin Sun 28 May 2023 14:58
 

Your roof protects your home so you need to ensure it is in top condition. However, it can be difficult to discern whether your roof has any issues and can be even harder to know whether it needs repairing.
 

To help you determine this, we list the key warning signs to look out for that indicate that your roof needs repairing or replacing. It is essential to spot these signs early to rectify them as soon as possible to save money in the long run and prevent your home from greater damage further down the line.

 

What to look out for - Interior

 

Mould

Finding mould in your home can indicate water damage and that moisture is seeping through your roof into your home. Look for mould on ceilings and walls and treat it as soon as possible, as mould inside the home is dangerous to your health.

 

Sagging Roof

A sagging roof is a major sign that you need a new roof and indicates structural issues with the building. If your roof sags in the middle this represents a compromised structure as a result of weakened foundations and shows that your property can no longer support the roof. A sagging roof needs replacing immediately as the roof is at risk of collapse.

 

Leaking

Finding water inside you home is a big warning sign that your roof needs replacing as indicates that there is a leak in your roof. Water could be getting inside your property from broken or missing tiles, faulty flashing, cracks in the roof, or torn underlay.

Your roof should be watertight, so if you find water stains and marks, blistering wallpaper and peeling paint, and wet and damp patches on the walls and ceiling, these all indicate that water is leaking in through the roof and should be rectified straight away before it progresses to water damage and mould.

 

Light Entering from Outside

Your roof should block out all light from outside, so if you see light entering in, this is a sign that there are holes, cracks, missing tiles, and erosion on the roof through which the light is getting in.

If light can get in so can animals, rain, and debris, so you need to urgently check where the light is entering and block the gaps up to prevent smaller holes from growing larger and exacerbating the damage.

 

What to look out for - Exterior

 

Damaged Tiles

Search your roof for tiles that are cracked, torn, rotting, worn, missing, curled, or loose. Damaged tiles weaken the protection provided by your roof, making your home more susceptible to damage. Damaged tiles need to be replaced before they lead to worse issues like leaking, water damage and mould.

 

Age

If your roof is over 20 years old it will need replacing as as your roof ages it will become weaker from natural wear and tear and less effective at protecting your property. The age at which your roof will need to be replaced depends on weather conditions, the materials it is constructed from, how it was built, and how well maintained your roof is. If your roof is constantly under attack from strong winds and rain it will be more vulnerable and need replacing sooner.

 

Algae, Moss, Mould

Algae, moss, and mould can be found in damp, shaded areas of your roof. This is a result of excess liquid and can indicate moisture damage.

Mould growth can also force tiles apart and cause water to seep through the cracks and into your property. Inspect your roof for rotting, moss, and mildew on your roof as they can regress into more serious issues.

 

Debris in Gutter

Look out for debris from your roof tiles in your guttering. Depending on the materials of your tiles, asphalt shingle, sandy granules, and bits of cement can fall from your roof tiles into your guttering.

This is a sign that your tiles are deteriorating as a result of wear and tear, weather, excess moisture, and ageing. Check for granules when cleaning your gutters and if you find large amounts of debris that is constantly falling off, you need to replace the tiles.

 

Loose Lead Flashing

If your lead flashing is not secure this can lead to leaks. Flashing prevents water entering your house, so you need to ensure there are no gaps or cracks in the flashing as faulty flashing around areas such as your chimney makes your roof vulnerable to water damage.

Damage occurs as a result of caulking under the flashing drying or deteriorating, so ensure your lead flashing is secure as loose flashing can cause water to seep into your home, leading to leaks and mould.

 

Do You Need A New Roof?

You need to check the interior and exterior of your roof regularly to make sure it is not displaying any of these warning signs: mould, sagging roof, leaking, light entering from outside, damaged tiles, signs of ageing, moss, debris in the gutter, or damaged lead flashing.

​

If your roof is showing any of these signs, get in touch with DJW Roofing Services for a full inspection as you could need roof repairs or a new roof urgently.  will ensure you take the best course of action to rectify damages immediately.

​

Don’t wait to resolve any issues or ignore them as they will worsen and become greater, more expensive problems down the line. The sooner you spot the problems, the sooner they can be fixed, and the more money you save.