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Looking for a roofing contractor in Freehold? A-Top Roofing has replaced thousands of roofs throughout Central NJ over the past 35 years.

What Does Roof Damage Look Like? How to Spot if You Need a New Roof

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To best determine if you need a new roof, a roofing inspection will alert you to any signs of roof damage. If your roof isn’t very old and there a just a few spots of loose or missing shingles, you might be able to replace them. If the entire roof is showing age or has expansive damage it might be time for a new roof.

What Does Roof Damage Look Like?

Roof damage comes in many forms, if you know what to look for you have a better chance of catching smaller roof problems before they become larger ones.

  • Attic Issues – Check your attic after storms or severe weather to see if there is water spots or pooling. This could mean you have damaged shingles or roof shingles that have deteriorated.
  • Blistering or Peeling Paint – Poor ventilation can trap water and start the exterior paint to peel.
  • Ceiling and Wall Stains – If water is penetrating through your roof and discoloring the sheetrock on your ceilings or walls, it is probably time for a new roof.
  • Sheathing Decay – After years of harsh weather, roofs deteriorate, and water can penetrate to the sheeting underneath. If you see sagging ceilings, broken gutters, leaks or missing shingles, your sheathing might be damaged.

Pro Tip – Your roofing contractor should have stipulations in the roofing contract that clearly outlines procedures if sheathing damage is discovered during your roof replacement.

  • Shingle Damage – Over time, shingles tend to warp, cup and become brittle and curl.
  • Dark Streaks – Dark stains may be moss or lichen. When replacing your roof keep in mind there are stain resistant products on the market like GAF StainGuard or StainGuard Plus which prevent moss build up.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s review your roofing inspection.

Regular inspections of your roof will help you find smaller problems before they can grow into larger more expensive problems.

Start on the Inside

Look around your attic for signs of leaks, dark spots, holes, or sagging roof sheathing. On the inside of your home, look for stains on the sheetrock (roof or walls). Also check for signs of mold and mildew.

Then Move to the Outside

  • If you are comfortable you can climb a ladder for a close inspection – if not, you can do a pretty good inspection from the ground with a good set of binoculars.
  • It is also a good idea to clear your gutters and inspect them to make sure the water is flowing properly and away from the home.
  • Inspect the facia to make sure water has not penetrated and look for signs of animals or decay.
  • Check for exterior paint peeling.
  • Check for warped or missing roof shingles.
  • See if any areas of the roof look warped which is a sign of sheathing damage.

Knowing how old your roof is can be important. Spot check your roof at least two times a year and after any severe storm.

Watch homes around the neighborhood. They are experiencing the same weather conditions and are probably similar in age. If your neighbors are getting new roofs, it might be time to replace your roof as well.

Call (732) 446-6341 or click here of a roof inspection of gutter inspection.

ABOUT A-TOP ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION

Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, gutter cleaning, windows, and skylights.