10 Signs you Need a New Roof
The roof is an important part of every house, which is why maintaining it regularly is required in order to make it last longer and provide maximum safety.
People tend to forget about the roof above their heads and in many cases that can lead to larger issues regarding the roof and the safety of their homes.
However, if you know that roof-maintenance is long overdue at your house, spring is a good time to act on it and get the problem out of the way. But how do you know that you need to replace it instead of just repairing it? What are the differences?
In this article, we’ve collected the 10 biggest warning signs that you need a roof replacement ASAP!
- Check for dark stains and streaks- Do an interior and exterior check on your roof, and if you notice dark stains and streaks it could be water damage. Water damage is usually a sign of a leak, and it is recommended to be taken care of quickly because it can lead to a serious problem later. In this case, calling a roof restoration professional is a good idea who can determine the cause of the water damage and leak, and fix the problem by either repairing the roof, but will most likely recommend a replacement.
- Rotting- Rotting occurs mostly at wooden or asphalt roofs. Check for rotten or missing tiles or any other sign of decay. Old and worn out roofing shingles, overflowing gutters, excessive humidity, and improper roof ventilation will result in rotting shingles. Call a professional and get a proper roof inspection to find out whether you need a quick fix, a repair or a whole replacement on your roof.
- Curling and brittle shingles- Curled shingles occur when asphalt shingles get curled on the ends and appear twisted or bent. They are mostly caused by excess moisture accumulation or improper ventilation of the attic. This type of damage often occurs in older roofs. You should have your roof inspected by a professional and seriously consider a roof replacement.
- Many of your neighbors are replacing their roofs-Maybe you haven’t lived in your home for so long to be able to determine your roof’s age, but if you see your neighbors changing their roofs around this time of the year, it is likely you should consider replacing it as well because the houses are most commonly built at the same time in a neighborhood.
- You see sunlight coming in your attic- Check for light and water stains. If light can get in, it means that snow, rain and cold air can get in as well. Consider calling a professional to inspect your roof and be prepared that you will most likely have to replace your entire roof or at least replace some shingles. Doing a temporary fix may solve the problem for now, but you might end up paying more by doing quick fixes rather than replacing your roof completely, especially if it’s older than 15 years.
- Cracked and missing shingles-A cracked or missing shingle is the result of an aging roof and it usually means that you need complete replacing. No matter where you live, your roof is constantly being exposed to extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, storms and heat and that will make the aging process speed up. However it’s possible to do a quick repair by replacing only the missing shingles, you will still need a complete replacement in about 3 years.
- Roof granules in your gutter-If you find roof granules in your gutter while cleaning it, and your roof is older than 15 years old, it is likely that it’s approaching the end of its lifespan. Roof-granules coming off doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a whole roof replacement, you may only need to replace the damaged shingles.
- Moss and algae-Algae growth on your roof doesn’t mean big problems, it can easily be removed by doing a low-pressure wash and using a general cleaning solution. Moss means more damage when it comes to your roof. Moss absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment and establishes roots on your roof causing serious damage in your roof. You can fix that by removing moss with a garden hose, bleaching it away, or using moss control powder made from zinc sulfate.
- Your roof is older than 25 years old-This is a pretty obvious one. The most commonly used material for roofing in the United States is asphalt shingles. They can last up to 15 years, after that time they start deteriorating. So if your roof is older than 20-25 years, your roof may be overdue for a replacement.
- Your roof fails the visual inspection- If there are dark spots or any other damage visible without even having to climb up to take a closer look, it usually means that your roof is old of age and you may need a roof replacement.
These are the 10 most common signs that indicate that you are in need of a roof replacement. There can be other signs as well, so if you notice something unusual on your roof, you should call a professional for a complete roof inspection from outside and inside as well.
Replacing an asphalt shingle roof that is older than 15 years is usually more cost-effective than doing quick repairs monthly because in this case, a roof replacement is inevitable sooner or later.
A little problem can turn into a major one very quickly so don’t keep postponing a roof inspection and do the fixing and replacement to make sure your home stays safe.
In Awe Roofing Limited is an Award-Winning, family owned and operated Vancouver Roofing Contractor with over 17 years of roofing experience. We serve the entire Lower Mainland area, from Whistler to Chilliwack, employing a team of professional staff members. Our team has won numerous awards including Best of Homestars for the last five years, and Three Best Rated six years in a row. Learn more
