As the first line of defense between your home and the outdoor elements, your roof is a valuable piece of your personal real estate. As the homeowner, it's your job to keep an eye on your residential roofing to make sure that it's in proper working order and to call a roof repair company if anything seems to be off.
But how do you know that something is wrong in the first place? Since roofs usually last for 15-30 years (or even over 100 if you use slate) it can be easy to overlook the roof and think that everything is working as it should. Here are a few ways you can tell that your roof needs a repair job — some of which you can take care of yourself, while others you'll need to hire a professional to handle.
Leaks in Your Roof
A surefire way to know that you've got a problem with your roof is the presence of water damage on your walls or ceilings. While these may be annoying to look at, the real danger is in mold and mildew growth as well as the structural damage that can occur over time. But even if you don't find water damage in your home, you can still detect a leaky roof by looking for water stains in your attic. Usually this is the place you'll find damage first, so be sure to inspect your attic regularly to see if there are any leaks. If you find some, call a residential roof repair company to come and fix your roof.
Higher Energy Bills
Most people enjoy some kind of routine when it comes to their heating and cooling bills. Even if the temperatures fluctuate, your energy bills will stay relatively predictable, so if you notice that they're much higher than normal, that usually means that you're wasting energy somehow. The usual culprit is a hole of some kind in the roof, which needs to be patched, or a thin layer of insulation, which should be beefed up.
Separated Flashing
The flashing is the piece of metal that forms a protective seal around the chimney and connects it to the shingles. If it's pulling away from the chimney, it needs to be fixed so it doesn't create a leak, but it can also be the first sign that your roof is in need of some kind of roof repair. If it's pulling away from the chimney, it'll most likely pull away in other places as well.
