Is your roof shot and in need of a replacement? Would you know if you did? Many times, the signs can be rather glaring, but other times they won’t be. A sturdy roof above your head is extremely important if you’ve become acclimated to having a nice, cozy, and leak-free home. Here’s how to find and address potential headaches before they spiral out of control.
If you’ve done just a little digging into this question, you’ve more than likely crossed the” 20″ year rule for a roofs lifespan. That number is utilized as a benchmark. Most residential roofs need replacing during that timeframe. However, there are many factors at play, and all roofs are unique.
Roofing systems take a tremendous amount of external wear and tear with every year that passes. Direct sunlight, strong winds, debris, vermin, hurricanes, rain, or chaotic weather conditions – all of these have an impact on a roof’s lifespan. How quickly your roof needs to be replaced depends on several factors:
- What kind of weather is experienced.
- Timely maintenance and preservation.
- Age of the materials.
- Quality of the materials.
- Building and design.
- Were repairs addressed when needed?
- If wildlife was kept away.
- External debris accumulation.
You Have An Old Roof
Normally an asphalt shingle roof lasts about 10-20 years, with metal and tile roofs tending to have a much longer lifespan. If your roof is nearing its typical replacement age, you should really start thinking about a roof replacement. If previous roof repairs were placed over the top of your existing roof – a practice called overlaying – you should definitely think about a roof replacement. Overlaying is a patch job that can mask larger roofing issues underneath the shingle surface.
Perform An Interior Roof Check
The first and easiest way to evaluate what condition your roof is in is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Ensure to grab a flashlight with a bright beam, so you don’t miss any damage, and always take proper safety protocols as you go through these types of inspections.
Once you are in your attic, see if you can identify one or more of these four signs that a roof replacement may be necessary:
1) Sunlight Shining In Through The Roof
Prior to turning your flashlight on, see if you can locate any beams of light coming through breaks or punctures in your roof. If the light is spotted shining through your roof, fix it or replace your roof immediately. If the light is shining through your roof, then water is getting through your roof.
2) Dark Streaking & Stains
This one is also simple to find. If there are dark stains or dark streaks on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is probably leaking, and moisture is damaging both your roof and your home’s interior structure.
3) Sagging Areas
In the same way that water will make a piece of cardboard soggy and weak, water can also make your roof structure start to sag. If you notice sagging portions of your roof, use your hand or a stick to poke at the sagging spot carefully. If the spot feels soft and wet or bends easily with your stick’s prod, then your 100% dealing with water damage.
4) Leaks
In addition to searching for dark streaks and sagging spots, make sure to look for any obvious signs of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you spot any clear signs of water damage, it would be wise to contact someone to inspect your roof immediately.
Curling Or Missing Shingles Are Visible
Checking out the shingles on your roof is another way to iron out whether or not your roof is in need of additional attention or a replacement entirely. When inspecting the exterior shingles on your home’s roof, try to find any cracks, misshapen shingles, or shingles that have curled or bent upwards.
Asphalt that is curled, cracked, or misshapen may require a deeper examination to conclude whether or not they can be replaced one by one or if you are better off investing in an entirely new roof.
Finding tiny granules throughout your roof or piling up in your gutter can also signify that it is time for a total and thorough roof replacement. Large amounts of shingle granule loss is a surefire sign that the roof’s condition isn’t where it needs to be to ensure your roof can hold up to a large storm.
Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth
Moss can start to grow on a roof that doesn’t receive substantial sunlight, especially in cool and moist climates. Moss retains water against the surface, which can result in damage.
Noticing moss or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? If so, don’t worry. Our natural environment tends to grow over any structure in its path if it is not properly tended to and maintained.
When inspecting your roof and the new growths you have spotted, make sure to do so by inspecting both the interior and exterior of your roof. While most plant growths are likely to be noticed from the outside of your roof, if there is a larger problem on-deck, nature could also be thriving on its own inside the house without your knowledge.
Oftentimes, treating the algae from a roof is a way to rapidly fix the problem without needing to do any meaningful roof repairs. However, if there are substantial growths on your roof or even inside your home, it is highly advisable to locate a roofing company to identify the root cause and reason for the growth.
When growths in nature have totally overtaken a roof, you may need to replace the roof in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks.
The good news is that algae growth and accumulation aren’t normally signs that you need to fix or replace your roof. Rather, algae are more of just an eyesore to your roof and one that is quite common in humid geographic regions.
In the event your roof is indeed needing a new roof installation, there then becomes a number of decisions to be made. Such as which roofing material to use. Which Boynton Beach Roofing Experts to work with? If you perhaps have a valid insurance damage claim. For many homeowners having access to the money to get a roof replacement may not be possible. There is financing available for homeowners offered by reputable companies. Ensure to do proper research before deciding on which contractor to work with.