Indicators of a Rotting Roof From The Experts

by / Monday, 20 November 2023 / Published in Roof Repair

Roofing professionals of Napa, California share the signs of a roof that is rotting and what can be done to mitigate the risk of a roof rot.

How Homeowners Can Tell They Have a Rotting Roof

A roof is the first line of defense for any house against the changes in temperature and weather that come throughout a typical year. They take a beating and are meant to last for a long time, but cannot last forever.

Roofing types differ in how long they last and their strengths and weaknesses, but no roof can fully withstand the test of endurance that is time. Eventually every roof will start to develop problems if roofing maintenance is not done regularly.

A rotting roof can cause a serious problem, but a homeowner can learn what the signs are and may be able to stop a roof leak before it starts.

Top Signs that a Rotten Roof Repair or Roofing Replacement is in Your Home’s Future

Many of the most basic indicators of roof problems are on the list to indicate roof rot. This is not an uncommon problem and is usually the reason behind the need for roof leak repair. Though a small patch can be dealt with, if the overall structure is affected, then a roofing replacement will be necessary.

Some of the signs that show up on a roof that is vulnerable to rot are discussed in the bullet points below.

  • Moss: Moss growth on the roof indicates that there is something for the moss to grow on. This may mean that shingles have been pushed apart, exposing the under-layers of the roof.
  • Mold/Mildew: This usually appears in the attic space first and, if left unchecked, continues into the walls of the rest of the home. This is a clear indicator that moisture is getting into the house, likely from a rotting roof.
  • Musty Smell: A strong stale smell may indicate mold or mildew when there are no visual cues. It should be thoroughly investigated.
  • Full Guttering: If the gutters are not cleaned regularly, it can form a natural dam that prevents moisture and organic detritus from escaping the roof. This can lead to pools of water soaking into the roof itself.
  • Loose Gravel from Shingles: If a homeowner is seeing a lot of shingle gravel, then it may indicate that the shingles have reached the end of their functional life.
  • Damaged Flashing: When flashing (that metal sheeting on the edges of the chimney and other parts of the roof) is peeled up or damaged by storms or careless animals, it can allow water an easy entrance to the underlayment of the roof itself, leading to rot.

Preventing Rotting in Your Roof

This section will discuss a few of the things that you can do to help prevent a rotting roof.

Some of the simple tasks involved are listed below.

  • Keep the roof free of leaves and branches.
  • Pay attention to your attic spaces.
  • Keep gutters clean and flashing in place.
  • Call professional roofers to do an annual inspection.

Roofing Contractors and Regular  Roof Inspection

A walk across a roof to inspect it is a precarious task. A modern roofing company may use instruments like drones to investigate the roof without the dangerous necessity of ladder climbing. A roofer is the best resource for determining whether or not a roof needs repair or replacement and how to fix it.

About Modern Method Roofing

Based in Napa, CA and providing excellent workmanship throughout the area of North Bay, Solano, and Marin, Modern Method Roofing has withstood the test of time. They have been around for more than 63 years. Call today for your roofing quote.

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