Roofs are important. They make the house aesthetically pleasing to look at and protect you from inclement weather. They prevent moisture from getting in and heat from getting out. All of this and more are what makes the roof so important. One thing that defines the roof is its shingles. These shingles can come in all textures and colors as they remain on the roof, making them aesthetically pleasing to look at. But what happens when they need to be replaced? This post will inform you about shingles and the warning signs that tell you when to call a roof repair contractor.
What Are Shingles? What Do They Do?
First off, let’s define shingles. What are they exactly? They are defined as roof covering that is made up of overlapping material. This material is usually square in appearance and can come in all sorts of colors, textures, and materials. With a large variety to choose from, shingles are what make up a roof and give it “life,” so to speak.
Shingles themselves have many, many uses that make them important. Shingles are generally used to protect the roof, and thus the house, from all sorts of weather. They are what provide the shelter needed to keep the weather, animals, and water out. They also keep the heat in, allowing you to have lower energy bills while remaining warm. Shingles can even reflect ultraviolet rays from the sun and some are eco-friendly, made up of recycled material or able to absorb solar energy and convert it. Without a doubt, no roof is complete without its shingles.
Signs of Needing Shingle Repair
So now that you know a little bit more about shingles, how do you know when the roof needs to be repaired because of them? While there are telltale signs that can show that the roof needs to be repaired, shingles can also hide a problem underneath its surface, causing you to miss it until it’s too late. When this happens, it is best to get a roof repair contractor to repair the roof and get to the heart of the problem. But for now, here are some of the signs that a shingle needs to be replaced.
Shingles can curl, where the edges start to lift and, obviously, curl, and claw, where they curl inwards. Curled and clawed shingles have a tendency to blow away in the wind, leaving the roof bare.
Speaking of which, another sign to look out for is missing shingles. Obviously the roof will look ugly with the patches of bare shingles, but it also can be detrimental to your roof because the weather will quickly wear away at it, leaving structural damage.
There is also buckling shingles to worry about. Buckling is when there are visible distortions on a roof and run vertically from top to bottom. Like curling and clawing shingles, buckling shingles are susceptible to wind and can be torn off.
Then there are missing granules. Granules are what protect the roof from the sun’s harmful rays and without them your house would be subjected to said harmful rays. You can tell if granules are missing if the shingle is discolored or if there are granule particles in your gutters. Missing granules are a sign of aging and need a roof repair.
And, of course, there are broken shingles, those with cracks in them. Naturally, things can get into the cracks and can cause the shingle to come off in certain places, leaving a jagged scar or even missing parts. Cracks can let water and cold seep into the house unwanted and are another sign that your house needs a roof repair.
There is also flashing to worry about. Flashings are the shingles around skylights, valleys, eaves, rakes, wall details, stacks, and chimneys and are essential for keeping other shingles in place. If the caulking is dried out, or it is facing the other telltale signs that shingles face when in need of repairs, then it can lead to the water and cold getting into the house that way. As with the regular shingles, if these need to be repaired, you need to call a roof repair contractor.
Just For Looks
Of course, you also might be the type to just replace all the shingles because they look ugly. And some people do this quite a bit. After all, shingles are what make the house look pretty or ugly and, if it’s aesthetically pleasing enough, can raise the value of your home should you want to sell it. People can replace their shingles with a new set of shingles that just simply look better or are made of better material than their old ones. They may even replace their shingles with eco-friendly ones to lower the cost. Really, it all depends on whether you want your house to have a makeover or not.
Contact Your Local Roof Repair Contractor Today
Shingles that are broken, buckling, curling, clawing, missing granules, or missing entirely is a telltale sign that you need a roof repair. Yet shingles can also not outwardly show signs that your roof is compromised. Sometimes shingles can hold mold underneath during moist and warm days, or sometimes they can be hiding holes and causing leaks and animals to get in. If you have any problems with the shingles or the roof in general, then it’s time to contact a roof repair contractor.