Your roof is designed to withstand the elements, but that doesn’t mean it’s not vulnerable to damage.

These seven signs are common indicators that your roof may be in need of repair in San Antonio, TX.

Some signs are easier to spot than others, but each of these indicates something might be wrong.

  1. Sagging Roofline

When you take a step back and examine your roofline, it should be straight. A sagging roof line is a pretty serious issue. It is often caused by moisture buildup, poor installation, or the use of faulty materials. In extreme cases, sagging roofs may result in a complete cave-in.

  1. Interior Water Damage

Sometimes the most obvious issues aren’t on the roof at all. Look at the interior ceilings and walls for any type of water stains. These are clear indicators that there is likely a moisture leak in the roof.

  1. Damaged Shingles

It’s always a bad sign when you notice that your shingles are falling off the roof. A good shingle installation will withstand a lot of pressure and stay in place for a long time, but any type of shingle is still susceptible to breaking, curling, or cracking over time. Sometimes this damage can be confined to a specific area or can be spread across the entire roof.

Damaged shingles are a sign your roof needs attention.

  1. Sunlight Shining Through

Another good place to check for roof issues is to get into the attic. Once you are there, look for any type of light rays from outside shining through any part of the roof. If air can seep in, water will leak in as well

  1. Moss or Mold growth

If your roof is highly shaded and always damp, stay diligent in looking for mold and moss growth. When they spread out and take root in your roof, this can cause major problems. If you can catch any moss or mold early, it’s easy to remedy.

If your roof is highly shaded and always damp, stay diligent in looking for mold and moss growth.

  1. Spike in Energy Bills

Any time you have air leaking through your roof, it affects the temperature inside your home. This makes your home warmer in the summer and colder in the winter, causing your HVAC system to work overtime. If your bills ride above normal, it’s worth checking for a leak in the roof.

  1. Clogged Gutters

This is especially true if you have an older roof. With strong storms, the granules on top of your asphalt shingles will start to fall off. Those granules will show up in your gutters as black sand. If you notice this gunk or larger pieces of shingles is a clear signal that your shingles are beginning to wear out.

If you are concerned about any of these signs of roof damage, be sure to stay on the ground rather than climbing a ladder to inspect further. You can use binoculars, or try to view from a window rather than getting on the roof. If you’re concerned about any of these issues, it’s time to call a contractor. A professional roofing contractor can inspect your roof free of charge with the necessary safety equipment and training to get a full view of what’s going on.

With strong storms, the granules on top of your asphalt shingles will start to fall off. Those granules will show up in your gutters as black sand.

Factors That Affect the Repair Cost of Your Roof

Any of these issues can be repaired by an experienced roofing contractor.

Generally, the cost of a roof repair is less than $1,000.

However, there are a few factors that might affect the cost of your roof repair.

  • If your roofers have to maneuver unique roof elements (like chimneys and skylights), it will increase the cost of repair.
  • Homeowners who live in different cities may have to pay different amounts for repair due to varying economic conditions.
  • Typically, the bigger the size of the damage, the higher the cost of repair.

How To Know When You Should Repair or Replace Your Roof

Sometimes you know your roof needs to be repaired, but is it better to just replace the entire thing?

Here are a few ways to know whether it’s time to call for a roof repair or a roof replacement.

Repair the roof you have if…

  • You have a new roof. If your roof is relatively new (less than 10 years old) a repair would most likely be the best solution over replacement. The exception to this is if the initial installation is causing the problems. In this case, have it evaluated by a reputable contractor and see if it can be remedied before going for a full replacement.
  • You are planning to move soon. In this case, make sure that roof repair is sufficient to make your home livable and does not cost you more than a replacement. If you plan to sell your home in the future a new roof may increase the sale price of your home, so it’s worth running the numbers both ways to see what makes financial sense.
  • You are on a tight budget. If you’re on a tight budget a repair can buy you time to plan and save for a roof replacement in the future.
  •   You have minor damage. If the damage is small and confined to a very specific area of the roof, a repair can fix it effectively without disturbing the rest of the roof.

Replace your roof if…

  • Your roof is old. When your roof meets or exceeds the lifespan specified by the manufacturer, repairs are only a band-aid to put off the inevitable. Replacement takes care of this and gives you peace of mind.
  • You have two layers of shingles: Due to building codes, you cannot have more than two layers of shingles on your roof. If you already have two layers of shingles on your roof, a replacement may be your only option next time.
  • You’re facing a big repair bill: Some repairs are so extensive that you are better off putting your money into a better investment option. If the extent of damage is over half the cost of a new replacement, then a replacement is a better choice.
  • You want a new roof: Your home’s roof contributes significantly to your home’s style and curb appeal. If you want to give your roof a fresh new look with a change of roofing color or material, a new replacement can help you achieve this.

How To Maintain the Integrity of Your Roof

While we can’t control the weather or Mother Nature, there are a few steps you can take to protect your roof and be better prepared for storm season.

  • Professional Inspection

To maintain your roof’s integrity throughout its lifespan, you need to invest in professional inspection and maintenance at least once a year. They will spot errors, correct them, and give you professional DIY tips.

  • Trim Large Trees 

Large trees or branches close to your roof may be hazards waiting to happen. They are one heavy wind away from breaking and landing on your roof. The leaves from the tree can get your gutters clogged frequently. Trim large trees to prevent this hazard from making things worse.

  • Patch Broken or Missing Shingles

Don’t let small problems go unnoticed. Make roof repairs timely to take care of your property and prevent moisture from entering your attic.

  • Treat Mildew and Mold

Mold and mildew growth are not harmless to your roof. Treating it effectively will maintain the integrity of your roof.

Mold and mildew growth are not harmless to your roof. Treating it effectively will maintain the integrity of your roof.

3 Important Factors To Be Cautious of When You Choose To Repair Your Roof

When it’s time for a roof repair, be sure to take these three steps to ensure that you’re solving the problem instead of making it worse.

  1. Know how roof repairs affect the aesthetic value of your roof

Even if you use the exact same color shade and the same brand of shingles, new shingles will look different from old ones. This is important to know and a             professional can help blend the roof repair better to make it less noticeable.

  1. Poor workmanship may lead to more damage

Even a small roof repair isn’t always a DIY job. Unless you have the required training and expertise, attempting to repair the roof yourself may actually cause more problems. If the roof repair work is poorly done, it may lead to further damage.

  1. Underlying problems may be ignored

Before you get a roof repair, make sure you get a thorough inspection of the area to address any issues that may be underneath the surface. Without a proper inspection, repair may attend to some issues while the underlying problem is still there.

FAQs on Repairing Your Roof

Yes. You can do a partial replacement of your roof if the extent of damage is limited to a small area. Your roofing contractor should be able to easily repair it. But, if 50% or more of your roof is damaged, a complete replacement would be the better option.

Technically yes, but we don’t recommend it. DIY roof repair is not recommended for homeowners because of safety concerns. Also, given their extensive training and roofing experience (which most homeowners don’t have) roofing contractors can detect and fix underlying issues that homeowners will not notice.

The extent of the damage will determine how long the repair will take. Ask your contractor how long the project will take once they’ve assessed the damage. In general, the roof repair can be done in one day, or in extreme cases, up to 3-5 days.

Knowing What To Expect

Chances are, you won’t really know what your roof needs until you get an inspection and understand what’s going on with your roof.

Once you have all of the information, you can make the best decision. This is why you need to get an honest inspection from a roofing contractor you can trust.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a roof assessment to learn exactly what your roof needs.

Our team has been repairing and replacing all types of roofs for decades right here in our community. Give us a call today!