Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

With the holiday season approaching, you may be eager to start decorating your house inside and out. As part of your exterior decorations, you may be planning to hang lights from your roof.

Since you may not usually get on your ladder to reach the roof, you may want to take this opportunity to keep an eye out for any possible issues with the shingles. While you are hanging your holiday lights, check the shingles for a couple of problematic signs that warrant a call to a roofing professional.

1. Check the Edges of the Shingles for Signs of Splitting or Breaking 

One problematic sign that you should look for when examining the shingles can be found by looking at their edges. While the shingles on the edges of the roof where you will be hanging lights will be the easiest to check, you should also be able to inspect those a few feet away from you.

When examining the shingles, look for any splitting along the edges and for pieces that have broken off. While one or two shingles that have these types of damage are not a cause for worry, multiple shingles that are split or broken should be examined by a professional to see what needs to be done to fix the problem.

2. Look for Shingles That Appear Smooth on Their Surfaces Instead of Granular

After checking the edges of the shingles for signs of damage, the next parts that you should check are the surfaces. When the shingles are in good condition, the surface will have granules that help protect them from impact and excess water.

However, if you see multiple shingles with smooth surfaces, this means that they may have become worn enough that the granules have fallen off. Have a roofer check their condition to see if the worn shingles need to be replaced before they wear down and lead to water leaks.

While hanging up your holiday decorations on the roof, take the opportunity to survey the condition of the shingles. Look for signs of splitting and breaking along the edges, and make sure that the surfaces of the shingles still have granules on them. If you do find any potential problems with the shingles, contact a roofing contractor in your area to schedule an appointment to fully assess the condition of your roof so that anything they find can be fixed before the issues become major problems.

To find out more, contact a company like Hancock Construction & Roofing.