Have you been asking yourself, “Do I need a new roof?” Obviously if water is pouring in through every nook and cranny, then you’ll need a new roof. But for most people, the signs are a lot more subtle.

 

Here are the top 10 signs to look for in determining whether or not you need a new roof. You can also save yourself the trouble and contact us. We’ll climb up on the roof for you to check for damage. Better yet, we offer free roof inspections for all customers.

 

  1. Research the age of the roof. Most homes in the Bismarck-Mandan area use asphalt shingles. These types of roofs last about 20-25 years even in the harsh elements of a North Dakota winter and summer. See if you can track down any paperwork from when the roof was installed to get an idea on its age.
  2. Watch for neighborhood activity. If you see your neighbors getting new roofs, there’s a good chance yours has hit that 20-25 year old age threshold, as most houses in an area are built around the same time.
  3. Look for beams of light in the attic. Before getting up on top of the roof, grab a flashlight and head into the attic. (Make sure it’s sunny outside.) Look for any beams of light coming through where the attic may be exposed to the elements.
  4. Inspect the shingles. Are any shingles missing, maybe from a wind storm? Are a majority cracked from age? Do you see any with curled edges? You should also check for bald spots where some of the granules may be missing, which happens during hail storms.
  5. Look for exposed nails. If you see the silver ends of nails, that may not be a good sign.
  6. Check out flashings. Flashing is the material that makes a water-tight seal around vents or chimneys. If the flashing is looking pretty rusted or cracked, there’s a chance water could be seeping into your home and you don’t know it.
  7. Step back and look for signs of drooping. Back on the ground, you can look for a sagging roof, which usually happens in shaded areas weakened by moisture. DO NOT walk on a saggy-looking roof. Please contact us right away.
  8. Find any collecting moss. Another issue that comes up in high-shade roof areas is vegetation. While not too frequent in our dry climate, it does happen, especially after a snow-heavy winter followed by a rainy season.

 

RiverBend Roofing & Exteriors is a Bismarck-Mandan company with decades of experience in roofing and home construction projects. Contact us today for a free roof inspection.