Need a Roof?

Tejas Roofing and Contracting.

How do I know if I need a new roof?

The first step in the re-roofing process is to determine whether or not you need a new roof in the first place. The following will help you identify the potential for roof failure. Consider however; that it is not the best of policies to wait until the last minute before making the move. To be sure; call in a qualified roofer. He will check out the shingles; the flashings and the attic ventilation; and then recommend remedial action that should be taken should this be necessary.

WATCH OUT FOR THESE WARNING SIGNS

INSIDE YOUR HOME

Very often; the first sign of roof failure is not on the roof itself but inside your home. Ceiling stains; flaking paint and plaster, peeling wallpaper, and discoloration near the wall/ceiling joint; though they may appear negligible; serve as advance warning of future roofing problems.

Stains may be caused by condensation in the attic or water seeping through the shingle covering; very often at joints and flashings in the roof or as a result of ice build-up in the eaves.

IN THE ATTIC

The attic space must be adequately ventilated and insulated; otherwise; condensation of Interior moisture will occur. This will lead to ceiling stains or water leakage. After a heavy rain; check the attic for wet; darkened or stained decking and rafters. Moisture condensation may also accentuate any curling and clawing of the shingles on your roof Moreover; wet insulation loses its effectiveness; with a consequent increase in heating costs.

ON THE ROOF

If your roof is more than ten years old; it is time to begin routine visual inspections. Inspections should be done twice a year in the spring and in the fall. Much can be seen from the ground. If you do go up on the roof be sure it's dry. Wear rubber-soled shoes for best traction and to avoid damaging the shingles. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of climbing the roof but suspect problems exist, call in a professional.

Look for any of the following signs of weathering, all of which serve as indicators that your roof needs help.

BARE SPOTS

The protective granular surface of shingles wears off as the asphalt, Into which the granules are embedded, begins to harden over time.

Bare spots are often accompanied by fine fissures on the shingles' surface and bythe accumulation of granules in the gutters.

BROKEN SHINGLES

Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal.

Since shingles are supposed to shed water; broken; torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water especially on low slope roofs where run off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.

BUCKLING

Buckling is a visible distortion or waviness in the horizontal lines of shingles; and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off.

Very often; the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner than recommended plywoods and other non-plywood materials adds to the problem.

CURLING

The upward curling of shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.

CLAWING

This is the curling under of the shingle tab's bottom edge and is part of the normal aging process of shingles. The bulge created is susceptible to substantial damage by wind action; hail and ice.

FLASHINGS

Many problems occur at the flashings around vents; soil stacks; chimneys and vertical wall joints. Is the flashing cracked? Is the caulking around the flashinq dried out? Are the shingles that lie over the flashing in good shape? It is easy to repair most of these problems; but folly to believe repairs can be put off indefinitely.

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BARE SPOTS The protective granular surface of shingles wears off as the asphalt, Into which the granules are embedded, begins to harden over time. Bare spots are often accompanied by fine fissures on the shingles' surface and bythe accumulation of granules in the gutters.

BROKEN SHINGLES Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. Since shingles are supposed to shed water; broken; torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water especially on low slope roofs where run off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.

BUCKLING Buckling is a visible distortion or waviness in the horizontal lines of shingles; and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off. Very often; the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner than recommended plywoods and other non-plywood materials adds to the problem.

CURLING The upward curling of shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.

CLAWING This is the curling under of the shingle tab's bottom edge and is part of the normal aging process of shingles. The bulge created is susceptible to substantial damage by wind action; hail and ice.

FLASHINGS Many problems occur at the flashings around vents; soil stacks; chimneys and vertical wall joints. Is the flashing cracked? Is the caulking around the flashinq dried out? Are the shingles that lie over the flashing in good shape? It is easy to repair most of these problems; but folly to believe repairs can be put off indefinitely.