When it comes to the roof above your head, it’s often a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’… mainly because it’s so high up that it’s easy to forget about it – until a problem crops up, of course!
The good news is that there are lots of warning signs you can keep an eye out for that will indicate you have a burgeoning issue with the roof, without you having to get on a ladder to check.
Here are just three of the biggest red flags to bear in mind, all a strong indication that roof repairs will likely be necessary in the relatively near future.
1. Water damage on walls & ceilings
Monitor your ceilings and walls if you’re worried about your roof, as you’ll start to see damp patches and dirty brown stains appearing through the paintwork… suggestive of a leak somewhere up above.
Water ingress can happen through even the tiniest of cracks, particularly after prolonged periods of heavy rain and over time this water can cause all sorts of problems, from mould to a weaker building structure.
As soon as you spot any leaks, make sure you have a professional roofer come out to take a look so they can see what, if any, repairs are needed. It could be something as simple as a loose tile, but it’s always best to double check.
2. Loose/damaged/missing tiles
Talking of tiles, these can take a serious battering over time and it’s inevitable that they will eventually start to crack, slip or just fall off the roof altogether.
If this happens, water can start to penetrate the underlayment of the roof, leading to rot and internal damage… so it’s best to get any tile issues sorted out sooner rather than later, or you’ll end up with a bigger, more expensive problem on your hands.
3. Old age
Sadly, nothing lasts forever – and your roof is certainly no exception to this rule. Typically, if your roof is over 20 years old and hasn’t been checked over in the last five years or so, you might want to make sure that a roofing contractor casts their expert eye over it to make sure it’s still fit for purpose.
New and innovative roofing materials and technological advancements mean that older roofs can be more susceptible to damage… and 20 years is a long time to be in service, exposed to the harsh realities of British weather, so it’s very likely that your older roof will have sustained some kind of wear and tear over the years.
Paying attention to signs such as these will mean you can keep on top of any issues before they become seriously problematic.
You could save yourself thousands of pounds by adopting a more proactive approach to roof health – so if you’d like us to carry out an inspection (and any associated repairs) get in touch with the 4 Heatons team today.