As a homeowner, keeping up with your home and ensuring it remains up to code at all times is amongst your more important responsibilities. As with most investments in life, all properties require upkeep as years go on to provide maximum comfort and security. The longer you have lived in your home, the more likely you have thought about investing in a new roof installation. Before jumping to the decision to replace your roof entirely, there are a few obvious signs to look for to figure out whether or not the time is right for you and your home.
With only a touch of research, you’ve more than likely crossed the” 20″ year rule for a roof’s lifespan. That number is used as a benchmark. A great many residential roofs need a replacement within that window. But, there are many factors at play and not any roof is the same.
All roofs take a lot of external wear and tear throughout each passing year. Direct sunlight, powerful winds, tree damage, wildlife, hurricanes, large sums of rain, or chaotic weather conditions – all of these have an impact on a roof’s lifespan. How often your roof needs to be replaced depends on several things:
- Weather.
- Timely maintenance and preservation.
- Age of the materials.
- How good the materials used are.
- Building and design.
- Upkeep with minor repairs.
- Keeping pests and rodents away.
- External debris accumulation.
Your Roof Is Over 20 Years Old
The average asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. Metal or tile roofs tend to have a 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 pre-existing roof – a technique called overlaying – you should assuredly think about getting a new roof. Overlaying is a patch job that can mask larger roofing issues underneath the shingle surface.
Conduct An Interior Roof Check
The first and easiest way to gauge your roof’s condition is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a bright beam to ensure no damage is overlooked and always be safe as you perform these types of inspections.
Upon arriving in your attic, see if you can identify one (or several) of these 4 signs that you need a new roof:
1) Sunlight Shining In Through The Roof
Before you turn your flashlight on, see if you can identify any streams of sunlight coming through cracks or holes in your roof. If you do spot any light shining through your roof, fix it or replace your roof right away. If the light is shining through your roof, then water is also leaking into 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, as well as 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 sections of your roof, take your hand or a stick to poke at the sagging spot lightly. If the spot is wet or bends easily with your stick’s prod, then your 100% dealing with water damage.
4) Water Damage
In addition to checking for dark streaks and saggy spots, make sure to look for any present signs of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you locate any clear signs of water damage, it would be wise to contact a roofing company to evaluate your roof immediately.
Curling Or Missing Shingles Are Visible
Examining the shingles on your roof is another recommendation to figure out whether or not your roof needs further attention or a possible roof replacement entirely. When inspecting the exterior shingles of your home’s roof, be sure to look for any cracks, dilapidated shingles, or shingles that have warped or angled upwards.
Shingles that are warped, cracked, or misshapen may require a further inspection to identify whether they can be replaced individually or if the wiser choice is investing in an entirely new roof.
Discovering tiny granules throughout your roof or stockpiling in your gutter can also indicate that the time has come for a total and thorough roof replacement. Excessive shingle granule loss is a huge sign that the roof’s state isn’t where it should provide maximum protection and insulation for your home.
Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth
Dark spots (or generally dirty-looking shingles) are caused by moss and algae growth. These may not be directly tied to when you have to replace your roof (or get it repaired), but such growth can spread and begin damaging other parts of the roof.
Noticing fungus or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? Don’t panic. Our natural environment tends to grow over any structure in its path if it is not adequately tended to and maintained.
When examining your roof and the algae you have noticed, make sure to do so by examining both the inside and outside of your roof. While the majority of algae growths are likely to be visible from the outside of your roof, when there’s a bigger issue at-hand, nature could also be growing on its own indoors without your knowledge.
Quite often, treating the moss from a roof is a way to quickly remedy the issue without even having to consider a re-roof. But, if you notice excessive growths on your roof or inside the property, the recommendation is to locate a professional to determine the root cause and reason for the growths.
When natural growths have completely overtaken a roof, you may need to replace the roof in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks.
The good news is, natural growth and accumulation aren’t typically an indicator that you must repair or replace your roof. Rather, moss is more so an eyesore on your roof and one that is rather common in humid geographic regions.
If, in the end, you do require a new roof installation, there then becomes a number of decisions that need to be made. Beginning with the roofing material to use, will you stick with asphalt or consider tile? Which Pompano Beach roofing contractor to work with? If you perhaps have a valid insurance damage claim. For many people having liquid cash to get a roof replacement may not be possible. There are financing options available for homeowners offered by reputable roofing companies. Make sure to do proper research before choosing a roofing company.