The roof of your house is, of course, one of the most important features of your home. It protects your family from the elements and also ensures that your home is not damaged by water. Roofs are very durable, but there are issues that can arise and which need timely attention to stop the problems from escalating into more serious issues. Older roofs, in particular, are prone to certain problems which may need you to take swift action in order to avoid a full-blown replacement.

To help every homeowner identify potential problems with their roof and take the correct course of action to deal with the issues as quickly and effectively as possible, here are four major signs you need to call the roofers.

1. Your Roof Is Very Old

If you live in a relatively new house with a new roof, then you will not usually encounter too many issues. Modern roofs are incredibly well designed, and so commonly occurring issues that happened with older models tend to have been eradicated. The experts at Roof Repair Quote explain that if your roof is very old, however, it may be worth calling in the roofers to give it an inspection just to check that everything is okay. Old roofing materials and designs are far more likely to experience faults, which will escalate far more quickly than if the same problem happened with a new roof.

Particularly when you are buying a new property that is more than fifty years old, you should also ensure that you get a full and comprehensive survey on the roof before you buy the house. Many issues that occur with new roofs can be easily and cost-effectively repaired, but those same problems may require a full replacement of an old roof.

2. Your Roof Is Going out of Warranty

All new roofs come with a warranty, which guarantees they will do the job for an extended period of time. Roof warranties often last for twenty or thirty years and so any repairs or replacement needed within that time period will either be done for free or will be heavily subsidized by the manufacturer or installation company. If your roof is coming towards the end of its warranty, then it is always worth getting a full inspection to identify and fix any potential problems.

It is always best to be proactive and have it checked in good time to make sure that you don’t get hit with the bill just a few short weeks or months after the warranty has expired. It is usually advisable to opt for a full replacement near the end of your roof’s warranty as this new roof will come with a brand new warranty, and you will know that there are no problems which could flare up again.

3. Extensive Leaks or Water Damage

If your roof has extensive leaks or water damage, you should call in the roofers immediately to ascertain the severity of the problem. When your roof is letting this much water through, it is often a sign that you will need to immediately replace it. Repairing a roof that is leaking excessively is often a fruitless endeavor that ends up costing a lot more in the long run than repairs will, as the problem will most likely keep recurring again and again. Whilst a lot of weather-related damage is fixable, there is a point of no return when it comes to leaking, and when the leaks are causing serious water damage, you are usually better off just cutting your losses and getting a replacement roof installed.

4. Constantly Clogged Gutters

Your gutters are extremely important for taking water away from your roof and ensuring that it doesn’t drip down and damage the foundations of your house. There are various reasons why your gutters may become clogged, from clumps of leaves to broken fittings, but one big reason is if shingles or bits of broken roof tile are falling into the gutters. If you find either of these things in your gutter, then you should call in a professional roofing company to assess the damage and see what needs fixing. It may be that just a single tile or shingle has come loose, but if it happens often, you may need more extensive repairs or even a full roof replacement.

Regular roof inspections and maintenance can help to avoid the worst disasters, but if you notice any of the above signs, then you should always call in the professionals immediately. There are many roof problems that can be repaired relatively easily, but if you leave them too long, they can escalate into far more costly issues. It is always important to keep track of your roof’s warranty and to listen to expert advice when it comes to deciding between repairs and a full replacement in order to choose the best option for your roof.