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How To Tell If You Have Old Roof Shingles and If They Need Repair

June 29, 2022/0 Comments/in Roof Maintenance, Roofing Tips/by Chela Mancuso

Do you have old roof shingles? In the north Georgia and Atlanta area, roofs typically last up to 15 years, and natural conditions like high heat, humidity, and aggressive storms often require repairs and replacements to your roof’s shingles in order to make sure your home’s first line of defense against the elements is running smoothly and in proper working order. The best course of action for determining the health and safety of your roof will always be a professional inspection. Sentry Rooftop provides free inspections and quality, cost-effective repair options designed to extend the life of your roof so you do not need to pay for a costly replacement. Spotting old shingles, or any other complications your roof might have is important for helping you make the decision to call for preventative repair, and get more life out of your roof before you may need a full replacement someday! Check for these five signs that your roof may need shingle replacements, or to see if you might have old shingles.

How To Spot Old Roof Shingles:

You don’t know the age of your roof, but it might be old! This is not necessarily a way to spot old roof shingles, but if you don’t know the age of your roof – it is best to consult with a professional! The quicker you catch any seen or unseen problems your roof might be having, the better! Additionally, routine maintenance on your roof that might require a quick fix here or there will be more budget friendly in the long run.
Loose granules. If you’re noticing loose granules in your gutters, on the ground around your roof, or anywhere else near your home – this is a key sign that your roof might need new shingles! When shingles become old, they molt the granules that provide moisture and UV protection. Granules coming loose is also common in areas like north Georgia and Atlanta where high intensity winds and storms are common.
Dark spots. Dark spots on shingles usually indicate an excess of moisture – which can ruin your roof! When moisture is not wicked away properly by your shingles, it can become trapped and create unsightly dark spots. If caught soon enough, moisture can be eradicated and your shingles can be properly replaced to keep your roof, and the materials underneath it, dry!
Missing shingles. Missing shingles can occur even on newer roofs, but typically if shingles are becoming loose enough to fall off that means they may be old. Replacing missing shingles as soon as possible is critical for preventing damage. Shingles are your home’s first line of defense against the elements, and making sure they’re all in proper conditions will keep your home safe!
Cracking, curling, or peeling. When you do a quick ground-level inspection of your roof, a telltale sign of old shingles is cracking, curling, or peeling. Ideal shingles should be laying straight and should be flush with your roof. It is best to schedule a free consultation with the experts at Sentry Rooftop so that they can also inspect areas you might not see!

While there are many signs to look for when determining whether your roof has old shingles – it is always important to let an expert check it out before making any decisions about repairs! Additionally, having an expert inspect your roof regularly can help you spot trouble before it might occur to help prevent you from taking on costly expenses for repairing your roof. The professionals at Sentry Rooftop come equipped with training from experts with over 40 years experience in the north Georgia and Atlanta area.

The benefits of working with Sentry Rooftop include:

Family-owned and operated
Free inspections
Workmanship guarantee
Full dispatch and office support for projects
Thorough training and safety inspections

You can schedule a free inspection with Sentry Rooftop here or get in contact with our dedicated staff of roofing professionals and take the first step to ensure the life span and quality of your roof today!

You can find expert tips on determining the age of your roof here or visit our blog for more roofing tips and recommendations for maintaining a roof in the North Georgia area.

5 Signs of Roof Damage

May 27, 2022/0 Comments/in Roof Damage, Roof Maintenance/by Chela Mancuso

While there are multiple signs of roof damage, do you know what to look for? During high winds, heavy storms, hail, and extreme humidity, it is easy for roofs to become damaged. Additionally, as roofs age, signs of damage can become more apparent. While many factors can cause roof damage, it is important to know what to look for in order to preserve the structural integrity of your roof to prevent further damage to your home and to receive preventative maintenance on your roof to avoid more costly repairs. As a homeowner, knowing the signs of roof damage is critical for home maintenance as your roof provides safety for the entirety of your home. While a professional roof inspection is recommended to determine whether your roof needs repairs and if so – what kind, there are 5 signs that homeowners can look for in order to spot roof damage.

Signs Your Roof Might Be Damaged:

Missing shingles. From the ground, take a look at your roof. Are there gaps? Are there bare patches? Are there spaces where you can see the subroof? If there are shingles missing from your roof, this is a surefire indicator that your roof has sustained damage. Shingles are one of the most important elements on your roof and provide protection for the layers below. If shingles are missing, your roof is more likely to sustain more long-term and costly damages, and they need to be evaluated and replaced by a professional technician immediately.
Water stains and leaks. Water stains and leaks are one of the most common indicators of roof damage. If you are noticing ceiling leaks within the home as well, it is a sign that roof damage has already occurred and needs to be remedied as fast as possible to prevent molding and further damage. Additionally, water stains on roofs might indicate areas where moisture is being trapped and it is not being wicked away properly by the shingles.
Curled or corroded flashing. While it may be difficult to spot some flashing from the ground, flashing is imperative for keeping your roof free of moisture. Flashing is usually found around skylights, plumbing vents, chimneys, and other penetration points on your roof. Flashing is installed to direct water away from areas that do not have shingling to protect it from the elements.
Gutter problems. Are your gutters blocked? Not working properly to drain? This is an easy check for homeowners that might indicate roof damage. If your gutters are not draining properly, and are filled with a small granular substance, your shingles may be molting their granules which will indicate repairs are necessary. Additionally, gutters are necessary to draw moisture away from your roof and if they are not functioning as they should it can create further roof damage.
Poor ventilation. Proper roof ventilation is critical, and if ventilation is not working properly it can cause unwanted moisture build-up on the roof. If you notice moss, fungi, or any type of dark spot on your roof, that means that it is not being properly ventilated as it is allowing plants to take hold. In order to wick away moisture to ensure no leaking happens, roofs need to be fully ventilated.

What Should You Do If You Notice Any Damage?

If you think your roof is potentially damaged, it is important to seek a consultation with a licensed professional in order to determine what your roof needs. When left unremedied, roof repairs can turn into a costly fix or require a full re-roof. Keeping up with your roof’s maintenance also ensures the rest of your home stays protected from the elements. At Sentry Rooftop, we have 40 years of experience in the north Georgia and Atlanta communities and pride ourselves on quality assured work. We provide free inspections, transparent and up-front repair estimates, and thorough explanations for the work being done on your home so you can rest assured knowing your roof is in good hands. Call (678) 925-4804 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with Sentry Rooftop today.

You can learn more about general home and roof maintenance here, or visit our blog for more information about how to care for your roof and ensure it is tough enough to stand up to Georgia weather.

5 Signs of Roof Shingle Wear

May 26, 2022/0 Comments/in Roofing Tips/by Chela Mancuso

Over time, it is natural to spot signs of roof shingle wear, especially in areas like northern Georgia that are frequently subject to heavy storms, wind, hail, and high temperatures. While there are obvious signs of roof damage like a moldy ceiling or leakage coming in through the roof, there are other more subtle signs of shingle wear and tear that homeowners need to be aware of. Some signs of natural wear on shingles may include curling, cracking, or even broken or missing pieces of shingles but receiving a complete roof inspection is essential to determine whether or not there is any shingle damage on points of the roof that are not easily visible. Check for these 5 signs of shingle wear, and get an idea of the condition of your roof.

Signs Your Shingles Have Experienced Wear and Tear:

Cracking, peeling, broken, or curling shingles. One of the easiest ways to assess the condition of the shingles on your roof is with a quick peek at the condition of the shingles. Try checking shingles that are easily visible from the ground and look to see if they show any symptoms of damage like broken pieces, cracking, or curling-edged shingles. These are all solid indicators that your roof needs a thorough inspection and repair.
Missing shingles. Are there visible bare spots on your roof? Are there patches where granules are missing from your shingles? Take another look from the ground, and see if there are any gaps that might indicate missing shingles. Losing shingles is common during heavy storms and wind, but needs an immediate repair to preserve the integrity of your roof.
Lifting or buckling shingles. If your shingles are not laying flat on the roof, it may indicate that a repair is needed. As they are exposed to the elements, shingles will lift if they are not properly sealed to the roof due to improper installation, an uneven roof, or even installation in extremely cold temperatures. Lifting or buckling shingles are more susceptible to being ripped off during a storm, which could potentially cause a more costly repair.
Moss, moisture, mold, and fungus. When a roof is shaded for an extended period during the day, it can often result in the overgrowth of molds, fungi, and inevitably too much moisture. Evidence of plant growth on a roof might also indicate that the roof is holding an unnecessary amount of moisture, and not properly doing its job. Sentry Rooftop’s professionals are trained to discover what underlying problems might be causing excess moisture build-up on a roof and provide the proper remedy.
Shingles are losing granules. If pieces of the granular material on your shingles are ending up in your downspouts, gutters, or falling on the ground, this is another reliable indicator that your shingles are experiencing wear and tear. The main purpose of shingle’s granules is to provide UV protection to the shingles so that they don’t become dried out and ineffective. Shingles need a proper amount of granules to continue protecting your roof, and a Sentry Rooftop technician will be able to determine the condition of your shingles.

What Should You Do If You Notice Any Of These Signs of Roof Shingle Wear?

If you suspect your shingles are experiencing wear and tear from a simple ground inspection, it is best to schedule an appointment to have a Sentry Rooftop professional inspect your roof for further damage and to evaluate what type of repairs are needed. Preserving the structural integrity of your roof is critical to protecting the rest of your house, and at Sentry Rooftop we have over 40 years of experience working within the north Georgia and Atlanta areas to provide quality roof repair services to the community. Benefits of working with Sentry Rooftop include:

Quality assurance, 100% of the time
Quick and easy dispatching to promptly provide repairs
Thorough explanation of repairs and the streamlined processes we provide
Strategic advice and opinions that are fitted to align with your roofing goals
Budget Conscious Repair Options
Free Roof Inspections

Call (678) 925-4804 or schedule a free inspection online to speak with a trusted roofing professional today!

Want to learn more?

Learn what insurance companies recommend in terms of regular inspections here, or visit our blog for tips about general maintenance to extend the life of your roof and prevent the expense of a re-roofing project.

Roofing Tips For Spring

April 22, 2022/0 Comments/in Roof Maintenance/by Chela Mancuso

Going into the stormy spring months there are several roofing tips you can follow to protect your roof from damage that can occur during this time. The springtime is known for producing heavy storms that bring hail, high winds, and lots of rain. For this reason, it is important to have the following roofing tips checklist to make sure you are ready to combat the spring weather.

Four Best Roofing Tips For Spring:

Check Your Gutters – Be sure your gutters are cleaned out and in proper working condition so rainwater can properly flow away from your house, preventing damage and flooding.
Trim Trees – If there are any large branches hanging over your roof that may drop debris or may break off and fall on your roof in a big storm, it is important to cut those back to prevent damage.
Take A Good Look At Your Roof – It is very important to regularly look over your roof to check for visible defects. If you notice you are missing shingles or can see visible dents, sagging, or other defects, call a trusted roofing company to help you with these issues and shore up your roof.
Professional Maintenance – The best roofing tip you can follow is to get in touch with a trusted roof repair company like Sentry Rooftop who can professionally inspect your roof, assess any issues you may have, and then follow up with a maintenance plan or repairs as necessary to prepare your roof for the spring and extend the usable life of your roof. If you are looking for knowledgeable roofing professionals in the Atlanta area who can help you get your roof in tip-top shape, Sentry Rooftop can help.

Want To Get In Touch With Local Roofing Professionals?

Sentry Rooftop has been a trusted name in roof repair in the North Georgia area since 1982. Our experienced team has 40 years of knowledge to share with our clients and will be able to find the best roof repair options for your needs and your budget. If you want help with general roof maintenance, large roof repairs, and everything in between Sentry Rooftop can help. Contact Sentry Rooftop here to schedule an appointment or speak with a qualified roofing expert today!