Time to Contact a Roofing Contractor in Dorset? Signs Your Roof May Need Replacing

While it’s doing its job, it can be easy to forget about your roof. After all, they’re built to last a long time in the first place, and it’s not easy to check whether any work needs doing from ground level. But inevitably, over time, the structure may deteriorate, either simply through old age or because of weather damage, so it pays to check your roof around twice a year.

Typical Warning Signs

But what kinds of things should you be looking for? Homeowners may need to consider new roofs or repairs in the following circumstances:

• Signs of water entering your property is one indicator. Of course, problems with damp can come from a number of sources and it’s not always immediately obvious when the issue is with the roof rather than a leaking window, for instance. Water can seep a long way from the original site of the damage. Try viewing your roof from inside to look for patches of daylight showing through – this will indicate whether you have a broken or missing slate or tile. Also, inspect the area of walls around the chimney internally, or any Velux windows, skylights and so on. Signs of damp here could mean the leadwork or flashing around the chimney or window might need some remedial work or replacement.

• Are your slates or tiles covered in moss, mould or lichen? You should be able to see this from street level. If they’re becoming heavily coated, then this growth could begin to force tiles apart from each other, leaving gaps where rainwater can penetrate. Left untreated for long periods of time, you could be looking at a full roof replacement.

• Look along the top of your roof. The ridge should be roughly in a straight line. If you see signs of sagging, then you could need work to treat this. Again, if the problem is left unaddressed, it can compromise the structural integrity of your roof, not to mention your property, so it’s important to get expert advice from suitably qualified roofers in the New Forest as soon as possible.

• If you can get up there safely, inspect your guttering, as well as soffits and fascias. With guttering, you should keep them clear to prevent a build up of debris that will block water from being diverted away from your home’s walls. Shingles or granules mounting up in the guttering could be a sign that your tiles are beginning to deteriorate, so don’t ignore these either. Cracked or damaged fascias or soffits, or ones that look like they are coming away from the roof or walls they’re attached to, may also need work.

Ask a Reputable Roofing Contractor If You Are Unsure

Those are just a few of the more typical signs that your roof may need some repair – or be in need of replacement. We can’t all be experts in roofing, though, and the roof area is one that’s particularly hard to inspect at close quarters. If you’re worried about a roof before winter sets in, or your roof has been in place for over 20 years or so, it’s well worth asking a good contractor to give it the once-over. Remedial work now could save a great deal of expense on replacement later.