Before starting any roofing repair, you need to know what to look for. There are a few telltale signs that your roof needs repair.



The shingles on a roof in a high wind area will sometimes lift in a breeze. Repeated lifting can cause the shingle to curl, crack or, in strong enough winds, blow off. You should repair or replace any missing, curled or cracked roofing shingles as soon as possible. Moisture can get in under curled and cracked shingles. When it does, it is not long before it gets into your home, which can lead to much more costly damage.

Buckling shingles are another sign that you need roofing repair. Buckled shingles appear to have something caught underneath them. There are many reasons why a shingle will buckle and you need to repair the cause of the buckling and replace the roofing shingle.

The most visible sign that you need roofing repair is a worn or damaged shingle. Asphalt shingles are finished with granules. It is normal for some granules to come loose, especially after installation. But, if there is enough granule loss for you to see bare patches on a shingle where there are no granules, then you need to replace the shingle. If there is a large area of granule loss, across a number of shingles, or if there are patches of granule loss across your roof, it's probably time to replace your roof.

The metal flashing around chimneys and gables is another roofing component that you should inspect for damage and possible repair. Over time, the silicone sealant used to seal the edges of the flashing can become brittle and crack, allowing moisture in behind the flashing ? and into your home. Roofing shingles and flashing can be damaged by debris blown onto the roof by high winds. When debris strikes the flashing, it can cause small buckles in the metal and eventually leak. You should repair and/or reseal any flashing that you suspect might allow moisture to enter.

Cleaning your roof will help reduce the number of roofing repairs you might need to do later on. Algae, moss and mold will trap moisture and debris, which can eventually build up enough to damage shingles and cause leaks. Use a pressure washer to remove unwanted growths and dirt, but be careful to not damage the shingles. Another option is to wash your roofing shingles with a non-chlorine oxygen bleach.

Simple roofing repairs can extend the life of your roof for many years. Of course, if there is significant damage to your roof, or the repairs require a lot of work, it might be time to replace the roof anyway. In either case, it is always helpful to know the signs that your roof needs repair.

The roofing repair specialists at DiGiorgi Roofing have been repairing Connecticut roofs for 75 years. We know how to spot the damage, repair your roof, and take care of the cause.