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Silent Signs That Your Roof is Failing in Hackettstown, NJ

Silent Signs That Your Roof is Failing in Hackettstown, NJ

Does your roof need to be replaced? Do you even know what to look for? Oftentimes, a failing roof’s signs are obvious – you can see the sky in your attic, you have water stains on your ceiling or you experience leaks every time it rains. However, there are other signs that are not as obvious.

Understanding Your Whole Roofing System

Before you call a roofing Hackettstown NJ professional, you need to understand the different components of the roofing system.

The Roof Decking – The decking of your roof is the structural surface that is typically wooden.
The Drip Edge – This is the material that is affixed to the edge of your roof to guide water from your roof, off the eaves, and into your guttering system.
The Underlayment – This is a barrier that is installed underneath your shingles to keep your roof decking dry.
The Flashing – This is material, typically metal, that is placed in the valleys of your roof and around the chimney to seal and protect the joints.
The Shingles – This is the outermost layer of your roofing system. Shingles protect your structure by repelling water.
The Soffit – This area is the underside of your roof’s overhang.
The Fascia – The fascia is the horizontal board placed at the lower edge of your room and can be used to attach gutters to your home.
The Vents – The vents help keep your roof dry and allow air to escape from your attic.

The Six Common Signs that a Roof is Failing

Your roof is old. Asphalt shingle roofs have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Tile and metal roofs have a much longer lifespan, lasting up to 30 to 50 years. If your roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy, now is the time to begin thinking about a roof replacement.

If your roof has been overlaid, where roof repairs or a layer of shingle was installed over your old roof, a roof tear off and replacement is necessary. Overlaying is used as a quick fix; however, it often hides bigger issues underneath the layers of shingles.

Shingles that are missing or curled is a sign that you need a roof replacement. Over time, rain, sun, and snow can wear down your roofing surface, resulting in curling, buckling or missing shingles. If granules are found in your gutter system, it is a sign of roof decay. Any time parts are missing from your roof, your home is vulnerable to the elements and a roof replacement is needed as soon as possible.

Your flashing is damaged or broken. Flashing prevents moisture from entering the joints in your roofing system. Flashing can be made out of metal, roof cement or tar. If your flashing is damaged, degraded or missing, you are at risk of experiencing water damage.

You notice ice damming in the winter months. Ice dams are ridges of ice that begin forming around the edge of your roof. This is often a sign of inadequate roof ventilation. When a roof is improperly vented, heat from the attic melts snow quickly. The snow then runs down your roof to the edge or into your gutter. Then the cold air freezes the melted snow causing an ice dam. As snow continues to melt, flow down your roof and refreeze, a plethora of problems can occur.

Ice dams cause icicles to hang from your house. The pressure of ice dams can pull your roofing materials apart and allow water to seep into the under layers of your roofing system. Once these layers get wet, you will need a roof replacement.

Water stains appear on your walls, ceilings or exterior walls of your home. If you see water stains or hear dripping sounds that seem to originate from your ceiling, you may have a roof leak. When this occurs, you need to go into your attic and inspect your insulation. If the insulation is wet, you more than likely have a roof problem and need a roof replacement.

Unwanted animals have entered your home. If you have squirrels in your attic, there is typically a missing or rotting section in your eaves or a hole in your roof. Opossums, raccoons, birds, squirrels, and bats will look for a warm and comfortable place to nest. If you have any unwanted animals in your attic, you need to contact a roofing contractor and have your roof inspected to see if your roof needs repaired, or if you need a total roof replacement.

If it is time to replace your roofing Hackettstown NJ, contact us by giving us a call or visiting us online and schedule your complimentary estimate. We look forward to hearing from you and giving you the peace of mind that you deserve.

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