Do I Need A New Roof?

Asphalt Shingle Roof Issues

Missing Granules
Normally a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. On aging shingles, missing granules indicate a need for replacement.

Buckled Shingle
Improperly applied felt, roof deck movement, wrinkled underlayment, poor roof ventilation, new shingles applied over old, rough shingles. Buckled shingles could fracture and cause leaking.

Missing Shingles
Caused by improper fastening and exposure to high winds.

Curling Shingles
Caused by lack of ventilation, high nails, water absorption, lack of back coating.

Algae Growth
Algae growth causes a dark discoloration on the roofs. The algae is usually brown to black in color which results in a streaked, dirty looking roof. It can be mistaken for soot, dirt or tree droppings, which typically produce only localized discoloration. It’s caused by the growth of airborne algae which deposits on your roof. The algae does not affect the service life of your roof, however, moss feeds on algae. When moss grows on shingles it attaches to granules. When moss is removed from the roof, it takes granules that reflect UV rays with it, exposing waterproofing asphalt and shortening the roofs life.

Rotting
Caused by absorption of moisture by the mat at the core of the shingle; common problem with organic-based shingles.

Blistering
Caused by moisture in the shingle; occurs when ventilation is inadequate.

Damaged flashing
Caused by improper installation on a new roof, drying and cracking on an old roof, dented by improper nailing, settling of structure.

Cedar Shake Roof Issues

Splitting Shakes
Caused by natural aging and aggravated by water infiltration in wood, cement tile or fiber-reinforced cement (FRC) shakes. Excessive foot traffic on the roof can cause roof splitting and damp climates with repeated freezing and thawing.

Missing Shakes
Caused by improper fastening, wind damage, deterioration of shakes.

Curling
Caused by water absorption (in wood or fiber-reinforced shake).

Termite Damage
Caused by shake materials that provide sustenance for termites-particularly wood.

Rotting
Caused by moisture absorption in certain shake materials especially wood.

Algae Growth
Air-borne algae deposits and grows on roof which can affect long-term performance. Wood shakes are particularly susceptible to moss/algae growth. Algae occurs most often in damp and/or humid climates or in shaded areas of the roof.

Damaged flashing
Caused by damaged or missing caulking, improper installation on a new roof, drying and cracking on an old roof.

Indoor Symptoms for Roof Replacement

There are a number of indoor signs to indicate that your roof may be in need of replacing including ceiling spots, sagging between rafters or an outside light that is visible through the roof. The most obvious of the signs, which are ceiling spots, are easily visible and would be a clear indication of leakage. If a roof is found to be leaking, and appropriate repairs or a reroof is not installed, the water damage may cause additional damage to your insulation and increase your energy costs.