Telltale Signs Your Roof is Leaking, Part 1

Roof leaks may take more than a glance to recognize. The most common areas we find mold growth are attic and crawl spaces. Untreated roof leaks are the most common reason we find mold growth in the attic. Join us in part 1 of 2 blogs with Austin Hays at Pritchett Brothers Roofing, where he offers his expertise about how best to spot them and what to do from there.

Where Do Most Roof Leaks Occur?

“Roof leaks are most commonly found around roof penetrations (i.e. pipes, skylights, chimneys) and where roof slopes meet (i.e. valleys, pitch transitions). This will be the first indication that a roof is beginning to fail, but doesn't necessarily mean that it needs a full replacement. A roof inspection should uncover these things and are the first things that inspectors will look at when trying to diagnose a leak.”

How Do I Determine If I Should Repair or Replace?

“The decision to repair or replace the roof almost always comes down Age, Granule loss, and Seal.

- There is a misnomer that I see regularly when it comes to shingles specifically that they will last 35, 40, even 50 years. This is never the case. An asphalt shingle with pressed granulation will always age faster than that and the longest useful life you should expect is 25-30 years at the absolute max. I caution anyone who is being sold a "lifetime shingle" to get a second opinion.

- Granules are the small pebble-like feature that play a huge part in the way your shingle looks (color) and the protection of the asphalt mat underneath it. If upon inspection it is determined that over half or more of the granules have fallen off, this leaves the roof at risk for drying out. When the roof dries out it begins to crack and water penetrates this which rots out roof sheathing and eventually shows itself inside the home.

- The Seal of the roof is also a good indicator of age. If you see shingles flapping in the wind or find them in the yard when mowing, you are at risk for water penetration and eventual leaking.

- A repair is very common and usually the option barring the above factors. A 10 year old roof with a leak doesn't always have to be replaced. A qualified roof inspector with the heart of a teacher will be able to photo document the inspection, advise you on the issue at hand, and provide a cost-effective solution.”

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please call us at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!