If one part of your church is most likely to develop problems, it’s the roof. The roof is exposed to the elements. Therefore it’s not a question of if issues will occur but of when. However, not all of the problems that occur are going to require a roof replacement. If you have small leaks, you may be able to fix them reasonably quickly. However, to keep your church safe, you must understand the difference between small leaks that you can fix on your own and leaks that will only worsen no matter what you do. This is why maintaining a roof is essential for any building. Whether it is a house of worship, a gymnasium, or a fellowship hall doesn’t matter. That being said, today we’ll be talking about signs your church roof needs replacing.
Understand What Kind of Roof You Have
Knowing the layout and type of your church is essential before beginning roof repairs. In order to find out how long the roof of the church should endure and what you can do to maintain it, you should get a roof inspection. If you have access to the structures plan or can measure the height of the roof, it will help your inspector determine if they need to bring a ladder or a crane. Among other things, the inspection will determine which material the roof is made out of. The most common roofing materials are:
- Clay
- Asphalt
- Tin
- Slate
The composition of the roof may tell you how long the roof will endure. For instance, metal and slate shingles have a far longer lifespan than asphalt shingles. The roof inspector will also be able to tell you whether your roof is watertight or water-repellent. In order to keep water out, waterproof roofs are often flat but made out of a water-resistant material. Water-repellant roofs, on the other hand, are slanted in a way that allows water to simply drain off.
1. If You Have Shingles That Buckle or Curl
Shingles that have buckled will create an undulating pattern that runs vertically. Buckling shingles are often the result of water that has made its way through the roof’s sub-layer. However, this can happen for many other reasons, including the roof’s age and improper installation. Furthermore, wind, heavy rain, and freezing and thawing may harm shingles that have bent or curled. In most cases, a roof replacement is the only option, as repairs will only extend the roof’s useful life by a few years at most.
2. If There Are Damaged or Broken Shingles
Missing or broken shingles are another indicator that the roof needs replacing. You cannot repair a single damaged shingle. And because roof shingles are meant to function as a whole, the rest will soon follow suit if one shingle is damaged. Maybe not today, perhaps not tomorrow, but sooner or later, they will all start to break. Therefore, replacing the roof and preventing any further damage would be wise, even if you only find a few broken shingles.
3. If There Is Moisture Damage
Another sign your church roof needs replacing is if the roof of your church leaks in wet weather. Even though they may not seem like significant issues at first, putting off fixing these problems will make them worse, and eventually, you will have to do something about them. In most cases, this means extensive roof replacement work. Water may seep in and rot your structure if your roof’s shingles or membranes sustain damage. Additionally, the sheathing and decking under your shingles might get wet if water seeps in from above. This can even cause leaks within the structure. Outside of your church is especially vulnerable to mold, mildew, algae, and fungi growth. This is due to the constant presence of water on the roof. These growths are ugly and may also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in people who come into contact with them.
4. Worn-Out Flashings
Skylight flashings, valley flashings, eave flashings, wall details, and chimney flashings may all become detached over time. These may come loose as well, especially if the caulking dries up. The expanding and contracting of the flashing may cause the glinting details to rise and separate. The bottom flange will elevate, and the fasteners will loosen as a result of this expansion and contraction, enabling water to seep in. Once this starts happening, there is no stopping it. A complete roof replacement is your only option.
5. Insufficient Shingle Granules
Downspouts that are not in an appropriate place or poorly constructed drainage may generate a waterfall effect that washes away shingle grains over time. Loss of granules from a roof accelerates the aging and degradation of a roof and may allow water to penetrate the roof. Furthermore, the granules are the source of color for asphalt shingles, so when they start to degrade, your roof will look washed out and worn, which could affect the appearance of your church and deter people from entering.
6. If the Roof Is Simply Too Old
You should be wary of the condition of your church’s roof if it was erected more than a decade ago. If your roof is at least 20 years old (though certain materials may survive longer), it’s probably time to get in touch with a roofing company for an inspection. All the aforementioned problems become more likely to occur as the roof ages. If your roof is older, you should inspect it as soon as possible.
What To Do During a Roof Replacement
Roof replacement is a significant remodeling project. And the thing that makes it tricky is that a portion of the structure’s interior will be exposed during the replacement. As a result, you must ensure the safety of all the items within. According to Ample Moving New Jersey experts, renting a storage unit for the duration of the remodeling is the best option.
With that said, hopefully, now you are aware of the signs your church roof needs replacing. Keep an eye on these signs, and be sure to contact a local roofing contractor as soon as you notice one of them!