5 Signs Your Roof Needs More Than Just a Patch Job

Finding a leak or a missing shingle is a literal headache. Your first instinct is probably to call someone for a quick patch and hope for the best. But sometimes, patching a roof is like putting a band-aid on a broken arm – it’s just not going to hold.

How do you know if you can get away with a simple repair or if it’s time for a full replacement? Here are 5 red flags that tell you it’s time to go big.

• The “Bald Shingles: Take a look in your gutters. Do you see a bunch of sand or grit? Those are granules. Once shingles lose their granules, they lose their ability to protect your home from the sun and rain. If the “bald” spots are everywhere, a patch won’t save them.

• Curling or Buckling: Look at the edges of your shingles. Are the curling upward like a dry leaf? This usually means the shingles are past their life expectancy or your attic isn’t venting properly. You can’t “un-curl” a shingle!

• The “Light Show” in the Attic: Go up to your attic on a sunny day with the lights off. If you see pinpricks of daylight coming through the roof boards, water is definitely getting in too.

• Sagging Spots: This is a big one. A “bouncy” or sagging roof usually means the underlying wood (the decking) is rotting. Patching the top layer won’t fix the rotten wood underneath.

• The Age Factor: Most asphalt roofs are built to last 20 to 25 years. If your roof is 22 years old, patching one leak today usually means another leak will pop up next month.

Pro Tip: Always check your ceiling after a heavy windstorm. Sometimes a “leak” isn’t a hole in the roof, but actually a problem with your “flashing” (the metal bits around your chimney).

A pro can tell the difference in five minutes!

Don’t play the guessing game with your home’s safety. If you’re seeing any of these signs, give the team at All About Roofs a call. We’ll give you an honest assessment and let you know if a patch is enough or if it’s time for a fresh start.