Anaheim Hills Roof Inspector for Residents
Whether you’re faced with an urgent need for a new roof or you have more time to devote to a roofing project, we want to help. Below, you’ll find the top reasons for needing a new roof and valuable information to assist you through the process.
Increase your Home’s Value
Replacing an old roof can help add curb appeal and will increase the perceived value of your home. This may be especially helpful if you intend to sell your house. Remember, when selling a house, the first impression is important. Not only does a new roof play a critical part in protecting the investment, it can really transform the look—helping give you an edge over the other properties for sale in your neighborhood. Return on your investment of a new roof ranks right up there with remodeling a kitchen or bathroom—both projects which are well known to be desirable in a home resale.
Building a New Home
If you’re building a new home, you have the unique opportunity to design the entire exterior of your home to suit your style. This means the sky’s the limit on the style and color of your roof.
Leaks
Knowing you have a roof leak is usually obvious when you see the water spot on your ceiling. However, it can be much harder to pinpoint the cause of the leak. You may assume your shingles are at fault, but it could be missing flashing around a chimney, or some other entry point, that’s allowing the water to get inside your attic. Once inside the attic, water can travel along rafters and other horizontal surfaces making it difficult to find the exact entry point.
If shingles are missing, cracked or otherwise damaged, water can, over time, begin to leak into the home. A leak can start out small and slowly cause a lot of damage if a warning sign is ignored.
Water entry can also be caused by an ice dam. Ice dams are formed by the continual thawing of snow over the warmer portions of the roof and refreezing over the cold eave. The ice dam can cause water to backup under shingles. If your roof doesn’t have an ice & water underlayment installed under the shingles, you could be experiencing leaks.
You should have a professional roofing contractor help diagnose your leak issue. The roofing professional can help determine the cause of the leak and help in finding a solution.
Storm Damage
While your roof is designed to withstand the elements, some storms are more intense than others. There are signs to look for when you believe there may have been damage to your roof. Please be safe when inspecting your roof—possibly view from a window inside the house or use binoculars from the ground. We recommend that you call a professional roofing contractor.
Wind Damage
Significant wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof deck. Missing shingles can lead to leaks and other interior damage. Other wind damage may not be easy to see, especially if the adhesive seal that provides a water-shedding surface is broken. Always be safe when checking for roof damage. Call a professional roofing contractor for assistance.
All manufacturers publish a wind warranty on their shingles; it is important to compare the wind coverage when making your shingle selection on a new roof. If the winds that caused the shingle damage were above the manufacturer’s wind coverage, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. If they were not, contact the shingle manufacturer to file a claim.
Potential signs of wind damage:
- Missing shingles
- Thin horizontal lines where granules have been worn off about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above; this could indicate that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind rubbing against the shingle above it. To be effective against the elements, shingles must be sealed to each other as one water tight roof deck.
Hail Damage
Usually hail is not something that you can miss—it is typically a widespread weather event in a neighborhood and not isolated to just one house on the block. Hail can bruise a shingle causing an indentation that may be hard to see but that can crack the shingle allowing water to infiltrate over time. You may need the assistance of a professional roofing contractor to determine the scope of the damage. If you have hail damage, you will need to file an insurance claim.
If your hail event was significant in terms of widespread damage, you will have roofing contractors who specialize in “storms” knocking on your door within days of the event. As always, you should use your best judgment when selecting a contractor.
Potential signs of hail damage:
- Other collateral hail damage around the house; dents on cars or other items on your house or in your yard
- A distinct pattern of small round-shaped divots on the edges of the shingles
- Indentations in the shingle where granules are missing
- A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially on new shingles
Falling Debris
During some storms tree branches or other failing debris can land on your roof. Some items are small and won’t cause an issue—other items are so large that you will naturally be concerned about damage. Use your best judgment. We recommend to have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof for damage. If you have damage from debris on your roof, you will need to file an insurance claim.
Potential signs of debris damage:
- Visual identification of debris on the roof deck
- Missing shingles
- Cracked shingles
- A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially for new shingles
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