Does Your Roof Need Repairs? – Blackstone Exteriors

Roofs are constantly subjected to wear and tear throughout their lifetime. Roof repairs are a matter of when, not if. Here are ways you can tell if your roof needs repair.

Aging Shingles

If you’ve had the same roof for several years, or even decades, chances are it’s already showing signs of aging. The most common sign of aging shingles is when they start curling, either from the edges or from the center. If this is only occurring on certain areas of the roof, then only these areas may need to be reshingled. If the problem is spread across the entire roof, a roof replacement may be in order.

Cracks and Impact Damage

Sometimes, the roof can get damaged by impact from hail, fallen branches or airborne debris, and can be as obvious as a shingle split in half or as subtle as a shallow dent. In either case, such damage could allow rainwater into the roof deck. If you suspect damage on the roof, conduct a visual inspection using a pair of binoculars. Call a roofing repair contractor if you do find signs of damage.

Storm Damage

It’s never a good idea to assume that your roof doesn’t need repairs just because it doesn’t look damaged after a storm. Similar to impact damage as described above, minor storm damage, such as dents, lifted edges and dislodged flashing, may lead to leaks. Your insurance provider will need a detailed report of the roofing damage as well as a quotation of the repair costs, so you will need to contact a roofing professional for a thorough inspection.

Black Streaks

Black streaks on the roof are caused by blue-green algae on the roof. While it doesn’t affect the roof performance, it certainly does look ugly. There are cleaning solutions designed to remove black streaks caused by blue-green algae. One can also hire a roofing contractor to install zinc strips at the roof ridge. The algae-killing zinc is spread on the roof as it rains. If your roof is up for replacement, consider investing in algae-resistant asphalt shingles.

Blackstone Exteriors is the contractor to turn to for all your roofing needs.Give us a call at (515) 720-2158 (Iowa), or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.