The 6 Warning Signs That You Are Probably Going To Need A New Roof

Having to do renovations to a home is something every homeowner dreads, especially if done in respect to repairing damages. A roof replacement is one of the most significant expenses that cannot be overlooked yet often under-budgeted for when it comes to doing home repairs and upgrades.

We often forget that only diamonds are forever, roofs aren’t supposed to last forever. The roof is meant to protect all that is inside the building while also adding to the overall aesthetics of the structure. And since it is left to the mercies of mother nature, it is subject to wear and tear over its tenure. The damage, if left unaddressed, poses a risk to your belongings and family.

So, how you can tell that repairs will not cut it for your roof and that a new one is the only remedy? Below are the common signs to watch out for that will tell you it is time for a roof replacement.

The Roof’s Age

The standard roof should last 20 – 25 years, depending on the roofing materials used. Therefore, it is wise to start making the necessary plans for a new one when your roof gets close to that age. If you bought the property and are not sure of how old the roof is, search for any of the records of the property that cover the various home improvements done. Alternatively, you can seek the expertise of roofing contractors who can evaluate your roof and give you a close estimate of its age and when to have it replaced.

Bumpy, Chipped, Missing, Or Curled Shingles

If you have a roof made of shingles, then the shingles should be flat all across the surface. If you note some that are curling, bumpy or falling off completely, you should start making plans for replacements. The harsh weather conditions slowly eat away on the edges of the shingles causing them to be uneven, chipped, bumpy or to curl.

Much of these issues are due to the gradual loss of the granules that give the shingles their toughness which means that they have outlived their tenure. You can tell that a replacement is imminent when you find your gutters full of the granules. The tabs used during the installation of the shingles also start to come off as the shingles get old and worn out.

The result of that is shingles that become loose and start falling off. The same thing can happen to newly installed shingles, which is why noticing two or three missing shingles is not to imply that it’s time for a new roof.

Frequent Leaking

Any sound roof should not allow even a drop of water to find its way through; if that happens, then there is a problem that needs fixing. Sometimes, leaks can befall even the newest of roofs due to different reasons. Perhaps, the cause could be associated with blocked gutters, cracked flashing, or corrosion, or cracked flashing among other things.

Fixing these issues could be all it takes to nip the leakage problem in the butt. However, you will note that the repairs are doing little to help when you are dealing with frequent leaks. The overall costs of doing such maintenance can be higher than opting to replace the entire roof. Therefore, it is wise to consider hiring reputable and experienced roofers who will not be quick to do repairs when the appropriate solution is to rip the old roof down and install a new one.

The Presence Of Mold And Moss

Find any moss or mold in growing in your property, and that should tell you that you have excess moisture to deal with in your home. If you find the moss or mold in your attic, ceiling, or roof, then that should tell you that your roof is not expelling moisture as it should. Any roof installed to code should not hold moisture. The heat generated inside the house rises expecting to find its way outside the building. Moreover, the heat that builds up in the space between the ceiling and roof also needs to escape. Failure of this results in increased moisture. The same problem can be attributed to water finding its way through the roof.

In most cases, trying to fix the problem by making adjustments to the roofing structure to all moisture to escape may help; however, this only helps if the mold or moss infestation is not far-reaching. Also, this mostly works for new roofs. Most old roofs that have a mold or moss problem can only be corrected by tearing them down in new ones put in place while adhering to the correct roofing standards. With mold and moss comes the possibility of finding extensive rot in the roof’s structural support and a replacement is the best remedy.

Sagging Roof

A sagging roof most likely has a structural problem that is often due to water damage. Failing to have this corrected can result in costlier damages that the current issue. Weakened supports that have been damaged by termites may also be another reason. An immediate fix for the problem would be adding some extra support beams, but this is only a short-term solution.

A roof that sags due to the effect of a termite invasion or water damage should best be corrected by doing a replacement. In opting for this, every weak support can be identified and removed, and any part that is strong can be reused when installing the new roof to cut the overall costs.

Damaged Flashing

If the roof has vents, a chimney or skylight, the flashing around these features should be intact. The flashing is also used around the roof seams and vents. The purpose of the flashing is to keep the weather out, but it deteriorates over time and needs periodic repairs. However, if the new flashing will not hold, then that should tell you that roof is old, and it’s about time that you considered a new one.

And there you have, six of the common signs that should tell you that you need to consider doing a roof replacement instead of repair. Remember to consult a reputable and experience roofing contractor such as Armor Services so that you make the best decisions that providing long-term roofing solutions.