The First Line of Defense
Your roof is your home's primary shield against the elements. Most homeowners wait until they see a water stain on their ceiling to call a contractor. In the contracting world, we call that being reactive, not proactive. By the time water breaches your drywall, the damage to your insulation, framing, and sub-roofing has already multiplied.
To protect your asset, you need to know how to spot compromised defenses before the storm hits. Here are five tactical signs your roof is failing.
1. Missing or Damaged Shingles
Grab a pair of binoculars and scan your roof from the ground. Look for shingles that are cracked, curling at the edges, or missing entirely. When shingles curl, they create a wind-catch that allows heavy rain to be driven underneath, directly attacking your underlayment.
2. Granules in Your Gutters
The granules on an asphalt shingle are what protect the asphalt from UV degradation. As a roof nears the end of its lifecycle, it sheds these granules rapidly. If your gutters look like they are filled with coarse black sand, your roof's armor is significantly compromised.
3. Sagging Roof Deck
A roof should have straight, crisp lines. If you notice a dip, saddle, or sagging area, you have a structural issue. This usually means moisture has bypassed the shingles and is rotting the wooden decking underneath. This is a Code Red requiring immediate deployment.
