Today, the GreenPoint Roofing experts in Longmont want to shed light on signs that a roof is in trouble. Hopefully, this information will help you understand the current condition of your roof, what symptoms to look for and what may be a threat to your roof’s structural integrity. Of course, if you find that your roof is showing any of these signs, give us a call for an inspection, repair or complete roof replacement.

Granules in Your Gutters

One of the many signs that a roof is in trouble is finding a large number of granules washing out in the gutters and downspouts. A small amount of roof tile granules washing off is not a significant concern, but if the amount continually increases, this should set off alarm bells.

Granules washing off in large amounts signifies that the shingles are deteriorating and perhaps nearing the end of their functional lifespan. This happens when the shingles simply get too old to perform their duty. Aging shingles are a problem because they no longer can protect the roof against the intense UV rays streaming down every day. They can become brittle and start cracking, leading to other possibly more significant problems such as leaking.

Exposed shingles without any remaining granules with bald spots will inevitably lead to more roof issues. So, go ahead and give your gutters and downspouts a once-over to check for washed out granules. As always, give us a call at GreenPoint Roofing for professional help, so you don’t have to climb up on the ladder yourself.

Shingles Cracking & Disintegrating

Once the shingle granules have been washed away or fallen off over time, the shingles themselves will start cracking from the exposure to sunshine. Without these protective granules, they’ll become brittle and start breaking apart which will only lead to more severe roof issues.

This extreme sun exposure breaks down the integrity of the shingles, and they cannot protect your roof as they did when they were new. Cracking shingles is one of the clear signs that a roof is in trouble and most likely require roof replacement.

Water Spots Inside Your Home

No one wants to see water spots on their ceiling. If this is the case, then your roof might be the culprit. You most definitely have an issue, but it could be any number of things including a roof leak, plumbing problems, condensation, or a window seal issue. Hire a professional to locate the source of the water spots. However, if you notice the spots appearing, darkening, or growing after it rains, this is a good indicator that a roof leak is the problem.

Finding a slow leak, only a couple drops at a time, can be harder than finding a bigger leak. Water can travel horizontally until it accumulates enough to drip and fall. Hence, a leak can start in one area and travel along, revealing itself in another area. Water can move along the wood or roof panels in the attic, drip into the insulation, and any number of ways, not just a straightforward drip down.

Water Spots Exterior

Finding water spots on the outside of your home also makes our list of signs that a roof is in trouble. Most likely, the step flashing, where the roof meets anything coming in or going out of the roof such as chimneys, vents, and windows is damaged, loose, missing, or rusted.

Again, if you notice the exterior water spots after rainfall, the problem is most likely the flashing. You will want to hire a professional roofer to repair the flashing as it is a delicate point of contact where the roof joins the adjacent siding. Not addressing the problem will cause it to grow, potentially leading to the need for a total tear-off and roof replacement.

Black Stains of Roof

Finding black stains on the roof is typically a sign that algae is present. Most homes in Colorado do not have to deal with this, but if your home is very shaded or in a mountainous area, your roof is more susceptible to algae growth. Fortunately, finding algae is not a very serious issue for your roof. Keep the algae at bay by installing strips of zinc with fungicide on the roof ridge. When it rains, the fungicide will kill off the algae. Also, consider replacing worn out roof tiles with algae-resistant shingles.

Shingles Missing

There are a couple of reasons for finding missing shingles on your roof. Either the sealant strip below the shingles has been damaged, or an animal is the culprit. In the case that it is a pest of some sort, be sure to trim back any tree branches that come close to your roofline. These are highways for critters of all kinds and an easy way for them to access your roof and cause insurmountable damage.

In the instance of sealant strips, they help to hold the shingles in place. But if they become worn out and brittle, they will stop doing their job. With degrading sealant not helping to maintain the shingles in position, in a storm or with high winds, the shingles can fly off. Because shingles use an overlapping pattern to keep water from penetrating the roof, missing shingles will most likely lead to roof leaks.

Shingles Cupping

Noticing that the shingles on your roof are cupping is a bad sign that the attic is not well-vented. The attic is heating up considerably and frequently, which is aging the shingles prematurely. This results in cupping. You will want to replace them and more likely re-shingled the roof entirely.

Roof Leaks when Temperature Fluctuates

When the temperature of the roof fluctuates from cold to hot and back again, ice dams are likely to form. They will then block the melted snow from running off of the roof and draining properly. The best way to deal with this issue is to up the insulation in your attic.

Now that you know the signs that a roof is in trouble, you have the insight necessary to be proactive in protecting your investment. Call the reliable and trusted team at GreenPoint Roofing as soon as you see any of the roofing trouble signs above, and we will provide immediate expertise.