Exterior Signs It's Time To Put A Klaus On Your House
ceiling collapse because of a roof leak.
Time and weather are your roof’s biggest adversaries. According to Bob Vila of This Old House, the average lifespan of an asphalt shingled roof is between 15-30 years. Hail, wind, and debris are the biggest causes of roof damage caused by weather. All it takes is one windstorm going 58-74 MPH to rip some shingles off completely!
How can you tell if it’s time to replace your roof? There are some telltale signs if you know what you’re looking for. Some damage can be seen from ground level, depending on the style of the house, but in most cases, you’ll need to climb on your roof, use a drone camera, or invite a professional roof inspector out to do so for you.
Buckling, Curling, and Missing Shingles
After a big storm, the easiest way to tell if you’ve experienced roof damage is to look at the property around you. Are there shingles on the ground? If your roof is visible from ground level, you can tell just by looking up. A missing shingle should be noticeable.
A curling shingle will do so at the corners. This lifts the shingle away from the roof and exposes it to the elements. This invites water seepage into the underlayment and will eventually cause damage to the interior.
Buckling causes similar damage as curling. A buckling shingle will sag in the middle. That creates a gap between the shingle and the roof. Again, leaving the roof exposed to the elements and your house vulnerable to water damage.
Missing Granules
IKO, a leading asphalt shingle-manufacturer, explains that asphalt shingles are made from asphalt, fiberglass, sealant, and stone granules. The granules help protect your roof because they are resistant to blue-green algae growth. Over time weather will take its toll on the stone granules. It causes them to become loose and start falling off. If you’re cleaning your gutters and see handfuls of granules, you'll know it’s time to invest in a new roof.
home look splotchy. This is what your shingles will
look like when they're missing granules.
Loose or Rusted Step Flashing
Step flashing is a piece of metal that’s installed every time the roof meets a vertical wall. You’ll find step flashing most commonly between the shingles and sidewall at chimneys and dormers. Its main job is to direct water towards the shingles and keep it from penetrating the roof.
Clogged Downspouts and Gutters
It’s easy for a clogged downspout or gutter to go unnoticed. As a homeowner, we get caught up in the obvious tasks and don’t think about checking the hidden signs of damage until it’s too late. Annual maintenance on your gutters and downspouts is important because water will always choose the path of least resistance. You want that path to be your gutters. Otherwise, that path will end up under your shingles, gutter apron, and flashing.
Missing Gutter Apron, Fascia, and Soffit
When ice and wind pull off gutters, often the gutter apron goes with it. The purpose of a gutter apron, fascia, and soffit is similar to the reason we need flashing. The absence of these water-resistant barriers leaves your roof open to the elements.
Klaus Roofing of Cincinnati understands that you need a roof that stands the test of time and weather. That’s why our IKO architectural asphalt shingles are superior. They are wind resistant for winds up to 130 MPH, water-resistant, algae resistant, and low maintenance. Coupled with our revolutionary “The Klaus Way” installation methods, we can even offer you an unprecedented and industry-leading 50-year warranty on new roofs! If you have signs of a roof leak or damaged shingles, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can fix your roof quickly and effectively, thus protecting your home and preserving your peace of mind for years to come.
About the author
