You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.
Brian Riley
If you are purchasing an older home, there are likely many repairs that you need to make. One thing you need to inspect is the roof. The last thing you want to have happen is to have a roof leak as this could cause a lot of damage. Below are three signs that you should have the roof replaced by a professional.
Shingles
Use a ladder to climb onto your roof. Have someone help you do this as they need to hold the ladder while you climb up. Wear soft-soled shoes that have a good grip so you do not slip. These shoes will also not damage the roof.
Inspect the shingles to see what condition they are in. There may be shingles with cracks in them, hanging loose, or completely missing. If there are only a few shingles that have damage or are missing, hire a roof contractor to repair your roof for you. If you see a lot of damage, missing tiles, etc., it would be best to replace the entire roof instead.
Flashing
Roof flashing is an important part of your roofing system. The flashing prevents water from getting into cracks and openings on the roof. If you have a vent, chimney, or skylights on your roof, the flashing is what prevents water from leaking into them. Look around these openings to see if the flashing is in good shape. If you see breaks or cracks in it, then your roof will likely leak.
A roofing contractor may be able to replace the flashing, or they may suggest a new roof. Because you have an older home, the flashing may be made of tar or cement. Newer flashing is made of metal, which is more durable.
Moss
Moss is green and can grow on a roof. If you see moss, this does not always mean a bad thing but, in some cases, it means there is damage on the roof. Once moss builds up, it pushes the shingles up and then causes damage underneath them. This damage may be holes in the roof, thin areas, and roofing leaks.
You can clean moss yourself, but you could cause more damage if the roof under the shingles is damaged. Because of this, hire a roofing contractor to do this for you. They will determine if the roof is already damaged. If not, they can clean the roof for you.
The roofing contractor can give you more signs to watch for that you need to replace your roof.