The roof over your head is your home’s first defense against the elements. Season after season, your roof battles rain, wind, snow, and ice. Modern roofs are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, but the older a roof gets, vulnerabilities in the roofing system can be exacerbated as the days, seasons, and years go by. Before you’re faced with a serious situation where roof wear and tear is letting in water that damages your home, look out for the following seven telltale signs it’s time for a roof replacement now rather than later.
Look Inside First
One of the areas where you can spot roofing problems is inside your attic. Water stains on decking and timber are sure signs of roof leaks. Also, check the attic insulation for mold and mildew, which is a sign of water infiltration somewhere in the roofing system. If you can’t access your entire attic from inside your home, use a flashlight to look inside the attic from vents in the eaves of the roof.
Repair and Maintenance History
Take a look through your home improvement records to review your roof repair and maintenance history and the age of your roof. If you’re a new homeowner, the home inspection report included with the sale should tell you how old the roof is and may include any roof repair history as well. Depending on the type of roofing shingles installed, the typical roof should last 20 to 30 years. Though, the quality of roof installation and repair and roof maintenance history are important factors, which could point to early replacement if roof inspections and repairs weren’t made promptly.
Shingle Wear and Tear
Shingle wear and tear is unavoidable. The sun’s UV rays weaken shingle integrity over time, and rain, wind, hail, snow, and ice weigh in and on your roof as well. Shingles can rip, uplift, blow away with the wind, and shingle granules can loosen and wash away with the rain.
Walk around your home and look for missing shingles, damaged shingles, storm damaged shingles, and shingle granules in gutter downspouts. If you notice any of these problems, contact your trusted roofing contractor right away.
Check Flashing
You can use a pair of binoculars to check for loose flashing in the roofing system. Loose flashing eventually allows water penetration into the roofing system and into your home. Check the metal flashing all around the roof at vents, chimneys, skylights. Some flashing is made of cement and tar, which can make it more difficult to spot problems with it as compared to metal flashing that has separated seals.
Sagging Roof
A wavy, droopy, and sagging roof is a sure sign you need a roof replacement. The decking has weakened to the point that water infiltration already exists or is inevitable. Check the surface of your roof at an angle to spot sagging areas, which indicate rot and decay of the decking.
Moss and Algae
Moss on your trees or in your garden help give a home a beautiful rustic look. However, moss and algae on your roof is a sign of trouble. Moss and algae eat into the shingles and will eventually cause roof leaks. If your roof has moss and algae, contact your roofing contractor to have the moss and algae professionally removed. Or, if the damage has already been done, you may need a roof repair or a roof replacement.
Repair or Replacement?
Finally, if you are facing an expensive roof repair, storm damage repair, or it seems your roof is always in need of repair, talk with your roofing contractor about a roof replacement. A good roof inspection will tell you how long your roof should last, barring catastrophic storm damage. So, comparing repair and replacement costs to the benefits of a new replacement roof will help you make the best choice for your situation.
If it’s time to replace your old roof, or if you’re not sure if a replacement roof is due or just make another repair, contact the roofing pros at Welter Construction! We’ll provide a fast, free roof inspection and estimate of roof repair or roof replacement. Contact us online or call us at (763) 780-6007!
