Did you know that as a homeowner you should thoroughly inspect your roof at least once a year?
There are clear signs that your roof should be repaired or refurbished. From moisture damage because the roof is leaking, storm damage and loose tiles to defective rain gutters.
The sooner you spot the warning signs, the sooner you can fix them and the lower the cost of roof repairs.
We asked our experts about the top 7 signs that you should take care of your roof urgently.
1. The roof is leaking
If a roof is leaking, the places where water penetrates are often not easy to find, even for a specialist. Depending on the thickness of the insulation, a leak may not be discovered until it has already caused serious damage.
Check your attic for signs of a leaking roof regularly: water stains, discoloration and damp spots on the roof structure or the underside of the roof membrane.
A roof can leak at any point, but penetrations such as connections between the roof cladding and the chimney, roof windows or the opening for the antenna are particularly vulnerable.
The last thing you want to see through your roof is the sun. On a sunny day, turn off the lights in the attic: if sunlight shines through the roof, it is a sure sign that something should be done here as soon as possible.
2. There is mold and moisture in the house
Mold in the home is every homeowner's nightmare. If there is mold on the wall or water stains, it does not always have to be due to moisture penetrating from the outside because the roof is leaky. Sometimes the cause is also insufficient insulation or thermal bridges.
In these cases, condensation occurs. The condensation drips onto the insulation, battens and sub-roof and causes considerable damage.
An experienced master roofer can identify and fix thermal bridges and tell you whether your insulation needs to be replaced.
To make sure you are hiring a professional, here are 11 questions to ask your roofer before signing the contract.
3. The roof has storm damage
Violent thunderstorms and storms often cause great damage to the roof. Bricks are covered, the roofing is damaged by falling branches and under certain circumstances even the roof structure underneath is damaged.
Storm damage to the roof can have consequences. Loose roof tiles should be secured as soon as possible to avoid injuring pedestrians or damaging parked cars. As a homeowner, you may be liable under certain circumstances.
It is best to have a specialist come before autumn to check the roof for any damage. You will receive an official report on the safety standard from him, which will facilitate reimbursement by the insurance company in the event of storm damage.
4. Roof tiles are loose, broken or missing
Check your roof regularly to check for gaps in the roofing and missing roof tiles. If the roof is not airtight, moisture quickly gets into the roof and the gaps should therefore be removed immediately.
The same applies to loose or slipped roof tiles, which must be reattached. The advantage is that you can replace individual missing or broken roof tiles so that you do not have to pay high costs.
You can also have individual roof tiles sealed if they only have small cracks. On the other hand, cracked roof tiles have to be completely replaced.
5. The roof is crooked or sagging
Do you have the impression that areas of your roof are sagging or seemingly warped? This indicates a bigger problem that you should address as soon as possible.
Even if the roof looks completely normal from the outside, rot and moisture damage are sometimes only noticeable inside through a sagging roof structure.
The next time you're in the attic, why not take a look at the rafters. Are you sagging? If so, this could be a sign that moisture has gotten into the roof structure and made it rotten and ailing.
In this case you will very likely have to have the entire roof structure renewed.
6. The roof drainage is defective
Especially if you have a flat roof, you know how important it is that the roof drainage works properly. Because in contrast to the pitched roof, rainwater cannot flow off by itself due to the incline of the roof.
In autumn the leaves fall, land in the roof drainage system and clog the rain gutter and downpipe. Hence, it is advisable that you clean your gutter regularly.
When cleaning, you can see exactly whether the gutter has cracks or holes. To prevent damage to the facade, you should repair a leaky gutter or have it sealed.
7. The roof is more than 25 years old
If your roof is more than 25 years old, it is advisable to take a closer look regularly. The materials used are showing their age, the roof may be leaking, the roof structure has become dilapidated and repairs are required.