Asphalt shinglees are a commonly used roofing material that can be seen on a large number of residential homes through the United States. Because of how easy they are to use and their low cost, they are a popular selection. However, shingles have a lot shorter life span when compared with other roofing materials. When looking to protect a home from any damage or preparation to put a home on the market, it is essential to understand how to inspect roof shingles to see if they are going bad. If they are, the decision then is either to replace or repair the shingles. There are two different types of signs that shingles are going bad – interior signs and exterior signs.
Sometimes it is possible to see if roof shingles are going bad without ever having to look at the roof itself. Stains on ceilings and attics are often good indicators of a leak in the roof. If the stain is reliably new, it will feel soft when touched. Older stains, however, feel firm as they have been there for awhile. While water stains that are much older may not necessarily mean there is a problem with the roof shingles, it is always a good idea to maintain caution and monitor for further problems. Mold or wet insulation may also be a primary sign of bad roof shingles.
If a homeowner is able to see the sun shine through the roof in their attic, it is a very good sign that the roof shingles are going bad and either need to be replaced or repaired. If the sun is able to make its way through the shingles, that means that moisture can as well. Many homeowners note a problem with their roof shingles when they see a large increase in their energy bills. This points to moisture coming into the home and leaking onto the insulation, thereby making it ineffective. Cold air is then easily able to pass through the ceiling, causing the heating systems to have to work that much harder.
When looking for exterior signs of bad roof shingles, be careful as to not cause further damage to the roof by walking on it. Remember to have the necessary protection when inspecting a roof , including harnesses and a hard hat. A primary exterior sign of bad roof shingles is damaged or missing shingles. Damage includes wavy edges, curling or cracking. Also check for pieces of the shingles in the gutters and along the surface of the roof. Look to see if the shingles are starting to crack or blister, it is a surefire sign that the roof is either about fail or is currently failing. Mold on the roof's surface is not necessarily an indicator of bad roof shingles. However, if the mold or algae is only on the roof and not anywhere else on the exterior of the home, it can be a possible sign of bad roof shingles and / or ineffective roofing insulation.
