Spotting a visible water leak in your house during a storm is the worst possible way to find out you have a leak. If you can look for leak warning signs you will prevent water damage before it happens.  Let’s talk about what to look for and what that means for your roof.

Early Leak Signs

If your roof is older or seen extreme weather, chances are your roof has some weak points. It could be missing flashing, debris on your roof or a discolored wall in your attic. Your roof and gutter system is designed to let water flow off the roof and away from your house and foundation. If there are tree branches, leaves or dirt clogging any part of that system, water starts to pool. Water puts excess pressure on the roof and the water can sneak into weak shingles or flashing.

Inspecting

A vigilant homeowner saves more money. It’s also important to note that a house inspection is different than a roof inspection. A quality roofing contractor has different methods for inspecting a roof that help you determine the health of your roof, possible problems and often can estimate when your roof will need to be repaired or replaced.  As a homeowner, this information is valuable for preventative roof care and budgeting.

Repair or Replace?

Depending on the state of your roof it can be difficult to determine when to repair and when to replace. It comes down to how old your roof is, what material it is and how damaged it is. It can be a difficult decision to make, but it’s also a major source of home improvement FAILURE. It’s important to talk with a contractor to make the most informed decision.

Some people choose to simple put a new roof on top of an old one. It’s often cheaper but is not a long-term solution and it could lead to rot and a heavy unstable roof. Both of which lead to roof collapse or a very expensive replacement.

If you’re a first-time home buyer be aware that many previous owners tend to take the cheap option knowing it will only last a few years. Until it’s your problem, essentially. Make sure to take that into consideration when purchasing and consider having a roofing contractor look at it, not just a house inspector!

The Short Of It

In the long run, if you replace your roof with a high-quality material and have it installed perfectly – the first time – your roof can and should last the rest of your lifetime. You can choose the route of putting off replacement until it’s necessary or not your problem anymore. Or you can just trade in the headaches and constant repairs for a roof that increases the value of your home and won’t give you worry.

70 years of business teaches you a thing or two about what matters. Hill Country Roofing provides excellent craftsmanship, great customer services and competitive pricing. Whatever your roofing need, we’re here to do it the right way.