Hurry! 4 roof problems that require immediate attention.

Just like most aspects of your home, your roof could quite possibly run into issues. Some issues are due to aging, while others could be due to poor maintenance or even sometimes weather. The key to avoiding major roof catastrophes is to take immediate action. Here are some things to look out for specifically:

1. Water Leakage
If you're living in Victoria you're no stranger to rain. The point of a roof is to keep you dry from that rain, right? If you notice leakage inside your house that could mean you have damaged or cracked shingles, or some flashing could be damaged. Those are just a couple possible culprits. You need to contact a roofing professional immediately to get to the bottom of things. Water leakage can cause a host of other issues if left untreated and one easy fix can turn into a variety of different repairs needing to be done and unnecessary money being spent. 
 
2. Moss Growth
Moss readily grows on roof shingles, especially in the spaces between shingles where the spores collect. In wet climates, moss can grow to be a few inches thick. Once the moss is established, it acts like a sponge, soaking up and storing rainwater (which we have a lot of). That stored water can then get underneath shingles and soak through the underlayment, and eventually, straight through the wooden roof deck. If left untreated, this can cause unhealthy mold growth in ceilings and walls, which then becomes extremely costly to repair. There are plenty of easy fixes for moss growth – you can DIY with moss killing chemicals in liquid, granule or powder form; you can also “broom” or brush off the moss, very carefully picking off the chunks of moss. You can also hire professionals to do this work for you, but if they show up with wire brushes or power washers, turn them away!
 
3. Granule Loss
Granules on asphalt shingles serve 3 main purposes: They protect against UV rays, to provide fire resistance and to add aesthetic beauty (colors) to the shingle. If your roof is new, it is very common to find some granules in your gutters that weren’t completely adhered to the shingle. It is normal that through the shingles life cycle the adhesive bond will wear down and there will be minimal granule loss – normal wear and tear. However, if you notice an abnormal amount of granules in your gutters, that could be cause for concern. Seeing as they protect your shingles from UV rays and other elements, it could cause quicker deterioration of the integrity of the shingle. This could be a sign of needing to replace your roof, or there could be more underlying issues. Either way, don’t let it linger!
 
4. Soft Spots or Drooping
A drooping roof is indicative of a structural issue. There are a few different reasons that drooping can occur, the roof deck may not be installed properly, there could be poor ventilation making the roof deck more susceptible to heat causing it to form to a new shape. The list could go on. It doesn’t always pose an issue necessarily, but can cause pooling of water leading to leakage and soft spots. If soft spots do arise, this is where the issues lie. Soft spots could be no big deal, but it could also be a disaster waiting to happen. It’s not something to be ignored. It is likely a simple fix and with proper ventilation, you should be able to avoid any further soft spots.