How To Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Roof
A Detailed Guide To Roof Replacement
Roofing issues are never ideal, the thought of needing to repair or replace your roof can be daunting for homeowners. However, failing to replace an old or damaged roof can lead to several additional problems with your home, and will cost you way more money in the long run. Here are some signs to look out for when determining whether or not it’s time to call a roofing contractor to replace your roof.
Check For Signs – Is Your Roof Is Too Old?
Most commonly, a good new roof needs to be replaced every 20-25 years. If you live in an older home, there is a chance that your roof is overdue for work, or that the time to replace your roof is approaching soon. If you can’t remember when the last time your roof was interchanged, check your home improvement records to find out. Knowing this will be important to know what material your roof is made out of as well, this will give you a better idea of your roof’s remaining life expectancy. Generally speaking, a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof will last 25 years when new, properly ventilated, and installed by a trusted professional roofing company like Watermark Exteriors.
Check Your Attic
Inspecting your attic should be one of the first courses of action when trying to diagnose a possible roofing problem. Carefully make your way up to your attic and be on the lookout for anything that raises concern about your roof’s integrity. Rays of light beaming through the attic will indicate that your house has holes or other damage and should be noted as a serious issue. Signs of water damage are extremely important to look for in roofing inspections, too. An easy way to tell if your attic has been water damaged is by looking at the paper backing of the insulation. If you see moisture marks or stains on the insulation paper, then you know you are more than likely dealing with water damage, and it is vital that you get it fixed before more new damage is done. Humid air and rotting wood are other indicators that water is existent and has already done damage that you need to repair.
Do Your Shingles Need To Be Replaced?
Your shingles should be flush with your roof, laying flat. If you notice any irregularities, it should be a cause for concern. Shingles that appear to be curling are evidence of damage that can come from a number of things, such as not being installed properly and just being old. Having layered roofing or poor ventilation in your attic can also be a reason your shingles are curling.
If you notice a piece of a shingle, a whole shingle, or multiple shingles missing, then you have a problem on your hands that needs to be repaired. A missing or damaged shingle doesn’t automatically mean that you will have leaks, but it is not good, and greatly increases the chances– especially if there are multiple shingles affected. It depends on the location, if the missing or damaged shingles are covering seams on your roof, it should be a warning that there is an existing leak, or that your roof will likely begin to leak as it further deteriorates from weather.
Loose granules are another factor to keep an eye out for when assessing your shingles. Oftentimes, seeing a significant amount of loose granules comes from a result of normal wear and tear throughout the lifecycle of a roof. However, it can also be caused by new damage sustained from hail or other severe weather conditions, such as strong winds and violent storms. If your shingles have a considerable amount of loose granules, thereby exposing the asphalt layer of the roof, the durability of your roof is compromised and it can lead to further costly damage.
Check Your Roof For Moss or Mold
Having moss or mold on your shingles greatly affects how long your roof lasts. Moss grows in moist, shaded areas. Therefore, if a portion of your roof is covered with shade for long periods of time, your roof may have the conditions for moss to grow. Unfortunately, moss on your roof can cause many issues because the growth of moss means there is moisture retention on your roof. With time, moss can ruin your shingles by growing under and in between them, eventually leading to a leaking roof.
With mold being present, it can become a health concern if it makes its way inside your house in addition to being an eyesore. Signs of mold on your roof means the wood has rotted due to constant exposure to moisture. If the mold is bad enough, it may be irreversible, and a full roof replacement may be needed in order to fix the problem.
Does Your Roof Sag?
A sagging roof can be caused by a few different circumstances, but in any case, a sagging roof must be resolved before the structure of your house is weakened. Water damage can lead to your roof sagging, which in turn can cause your roof to collapse if it gets bad enough. Furthermore, having your new roof built with low quality materials or with faulty roofing trademenship can also make your roof sag. You need to get to the route of why your roof is sagging and to get it fixed as soon as possible. If you’re experiencing a sagging roof, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Your Neighbors Replaced Their Roofs
If you notice that your neighbors are replacing their roofs, it may be a sign that it’s time for you to get a new one as well. In general, homes in a neighborhood are built around the same time, which means that if you see surrounding houses in your neighborhood getting their roofs replaced, your home is likely on a similar timeline. It’s best to get your roof replaced near the end of its expected lifespan rather than holding off on it to avoid any possible damages to your home.
In Conclusion
Take some time to survey the condition of your roof. Check for any of the red flags mentioned above, then let us be the fix to your roofing problems for your home. Watermark Exteriors also offers a free inspection for every home! The free inspection will have a contractor assess the cause of the problem by determining the condition of your roof, the location and reason of leaks, how to control and correct a leaking roof, and establish a resolution for either a temporary fix or a bigger repair. Your home is in good hands with us, it’s our guarantee.
