The roof is the first layer of protection in your home. It keeps off rain and other elements protecting you and the interior of your home. Over time, the roof develops damages and needs repair. However, it comes a time when repairs are not enough to sustain the integrity of a roof and you need to replace it. Major problems, such as rotting leave severe damages on the roof that necessitates roof replacement. Replacing the roof minimizes repair costs, risks of property damage and injury, and also ensures you have reliable protection from elements. Here are simple signs that your roof is due for repairs.
Water Damage on the Roof
Water intrusion affects the integrity of a roof. Damages can be seen in the form of brown, yellow, or gray stains on the ceiling and walls. You can also see extensive moisture marks, which are an indication that your roof is leaking. In some cases, the leak can be minor. This is so, especially if the roof is only a few years old. In other instances, the leak can be significant, necessitating roof replacement. If you allow a professional to perform a basic inspection every year, they will identify these water damages before they exacerbate.
In extreme cases, water damage can cause the roof to sag. This happens when moisture causes the boards under roof to rot and tear down. You can see whether a roof is sagging by standing from across the street. If the roof does not appear straight when you look at it from different angles, consider replacing it.
Moss, mold, and fungi result from trapped moisture in any part of the roof. These can ruin a roof and can cause allergic reactions.
Curled, Buckled, or Missing Shingles
After many years, the shingles will start to curl and buckle. This happens after exposure to elements, such as wind, sun, and rain. When a shingle curves, it is more susceptible to wind damage, which can further cause the roof to deteriorate. In some instances, you can replace only the damaged shingle. However, the curling or buckling can be an indication of a larger problem with the roof. If you notice more than a few shingles with this problem, call a professional to check the state of the roof.
During times of extreme weather, such as thunderstorms and hurricanes, you may have missing shingles. Strong winds yank off shingles and get them off the roof completely. If only a few shingles fly off and the roof is still new, a roofer can replace them. However, a roofer might recommend roof replacement, depending on the position of the shingle and the condition of the roof.
Old Roof
What is the lifespan of your roof? Depending on the material used on the roof, your roof can last between 20 and 100 years. Metal roofs can live for 50 or more years. Asphalt shingles last between 10 and 20 years. Clay tiles last for about 40 years. There are several other factors that determine how long a roof lasts, including the location of your home and the prevailing weather conditions and the quality of the materials. The quality of installation also determines how long a roof lasts.
You need to keep track of your roof. First, know when the roof was installed and check any roof improvement records on the house. If the roof is older than 20 years, it may require constant repairs to keep it functional.
High Cooling or Warming Bills
If your home is not well-insulated, heating it or cooling it will take so much energy. To ensure that your home is energy efficient, you need to repair all leaks and any openings that can allow conditioned air to escape.
The condition of the attic is important in the ventilation and insulation of the home. If the attic is damaged and there is no insulation, your HVAC system will have to work harder and longer to heat or cool a room. If the attic again doesn’t have enough ventilation, your roof might sustain moisture damage.
If you have been experiencing high energy bills yet your HVAC system is in good working condition, consider roof inspection and replacement.
Conclusion
If you are always repairing your roof, it might be time to get a new roof. Constant repairs coupled with high utility bills can cripple your budget. Again, a roof that needs you to constantly repair it might leave you exposed to elements one day.
You need a professional roofer to inspect the roof and determine whether a repair is sufficient. If the roof is damaged beyond what a minor repair can fix, then you will need to replace it. A missing shingle might appear as a simple problem, but a professional might find a systemic problem that renders repairs insufficient.
