Roofing Contractors Explain the 6 Signs That You Need a New Roof

It was a record-breaking winter here in Toronto. And, while warm temperatures haven’t yet arrived, at least we know we’re out of the deep freeze that was the winter of 2015.

That means it’s time to get outside for some fun and fresh air. But a cold winter can also take its toll on your asphalt-shingle roof and you should take some time to check it for signs damage.

While even new roofs may have suffered damage under all the ice and snow, it’s older roofs that could really benefit from a quick inspection to see if they need replacement. The longer you wait to get a new roof, the more chance there is that the old one will leak and potentially cause expensive damage to your home or belongings.

Here are some of the signs of damage that you should look for to help you decide if it’s time for a new roof:

1. Raised Shingles

The combination of a cold winter with poor roof ventilation and/or insufficient insulation often leads to ice dams being formed where the roof meets the eavestroughs. That ice can force its way underneath nearby shingles and leave them permanently raised even after the ice melts. Water and debris can easily get in under raised shingles and cause water damage.

2. Curled Shingles

Similar to raised shingles, curled shingles are easy to spot because one or more corners of the shingle will be curled up. Curled shingles can happen anywhere on your roof. High winds can cause the shingle to lift, which lets in moisture and debris.

3. Missing Shingles

The friction from shifting snow and ice can literally tear a shingle away from your roof. Needless to say, your roof can’t properly protect your home if all the shingles aren’t in place.

4. Buckled Shingles

Buckled shingles will appear to have a slight fold, or crease, running through one or more shingles. They are often caused by an uneven roof deck or shingles that were not properly removed before a new roof was applied. The weight of snow and ice can cause the buckles to appear or make them more pronounced.

5. Bent Flashing

The metal flashing around roof protrusions, like your chimney, helps keep water from seeping in beside the protrusion. Snow and ice can bend flashing out of shape to a point where moisture gets in.

6. Bare Shingles

As it freezes and melts, ice can rub across shingles and remove some of the granules that protect them. If you spot shingles that have lost some of their granules, leaving the shingle with patchy-looking bare spots, it’s a good sign that it’s time to think about replacing your roof.

Regularly checking your roof, new or old, for the signs listed above, or any other damage you spot, will help you avoid waiting until it’s too late to replace your home’s roof.