As a homeowner, you know that replacing a roof is a major project, one that you may wish to postpone as long as possible. You want your home to always look its best, and your roof to protect your loved ones from the elements. So, you have gotten into the habit of performing routine maintenance on your roof.
You check the status of your shingles to look for any irregularities and make sure no issues arise to surprise you. However, despite your discipline and the care you give your roof, eventually, it may come the time for you to replace it. Here are some signs to help you decide if the time has finally come.
The Age of Your Roof
If you built the house or bought it new, you have a good idea of how old the roof is. Otherwise, you may estimate its age from the time you bought the property. In general terms, a roof should last between 20 and 25 years.
If your roof has been installed over an old layer, it may need replacing sooner and suffer from insufficient ventilation. Unless you have a slate or tile roof which may last longer, a shingled roof that is over 20 years old might have to be replaced.
Buckling or Curled Shingles
With the mere fact that your shingles receive direct sunlight day after day, it is easy to imagine that they will start to crack, curl or buckle after a while. Calling a roofer to inspect your roof might also reveal that the cause of the problem lies underneath and that your roof could be defective.
Missing Shingles
Your roof might be missing shingles for many reasons. If you live in a windy area, the constant scraping of tree branches against your roof shingles might have ended up shaving off their granules and spreading them around your property. If that is the case, get into the habit of trimming the trees that grow close to your roof.
Shingles can also come loose with time and severe weather events. Replace shingles when you are missing just a few, but if the damage is random throughout your roof, you may need to replace the entire roof.
Problems With Your Gutters
Your gutters can also be responsible for damaging your roof. If they become clogged with leaves and water, moisture can start seeping into the edges of your roof, slowly but surely damaging it inch by inch. It is important to always make sure there is no debris accumulating in your gutters and that they are clean and can redirect any water down and away from the roof.
Light Coming in Through the Roof
If you go up to your attic and can see sunlight streaming in through the roof, you have an issue. This means that on a rainy day your roof would be letting water in. And if this has been happening you can be sure that there is moisture somewhere in your home. It may still be in the attic or it may have travelled down walls and affected your daily living spaces. If you can see light through the roof, don’t delay and call a roofing contractor right away.
Leaks
Leaks sound fairly innocent but the damage they can cause can be substantial. If there is a mouldy smell or evidence of moisture along any of the walls, your first step should be to check if the water is due to a problem with your plumbing stemming from one of your bathrooms or the kitchen. If that proves not to be the case, your roof is letting water in and damaging your home.
If this problem is not addressed as soon as possible, you may not only be facing a roof replacement but your home’s structure may be compromised and more extensive repairs might be necessary.
Sometimes needing a new roof isn’t a bad thing especially if it enhances the look and value of your home. If your roof is exhibiting any of the above problems, it is time for you to call your trusted roofing contracting services to come and have a look.
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