Americans will spend $49 billion in 2019 on roof maintenance and installation.
As a homeowner, replacing your roof becomes an essential matter depending on the circumstances. Bad weather can wreck your roof, leaving you with no option but to get a new one.
Other homeowners will need to replace it once it hits the 20-year mark to avoid being denied coverage by their insurance provider.
Here are some signs to look to determine whether you need a new roof.
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When You Find Leaks
Anytime you hear mention of a damaged roof, the most immediate imagery that comes to mind is that of a leaking one.
A leaking roof is perhaps one of the most common signs that you need to begin looking for new roofing options. Therefore, an inspection to uncover any leaking is necessary. The best time to do so is immediately after a storm.
Check for any ice dams particularly along your eves. An ice dam will form when the snow on your roof melts, flows down to the eave and then freezes.
As water keeps running down and encountering the dam, it may end up running under the asphalt roofing shingles and even penetrate the roof deck.
During your inspection, you should also look for any signs of water penetration. Any circular stains in your ceiling or walls is a clear indication that your roof is leaking.
Can you hear the sound of dripping water in the wall? That’s another indication that your roof could be leaking.
Don’t forget to check for any blistering or bubbles forming on flat surfaces as well.
It’s Aging
Age takes a toll on any roofing, but you will realize that some materials can take more beating than others.
Slate is probably the most durable roofing material but is quite expensive. TPO roofing, on the other hand, is quite affordable without compromising on durability. Visit this site to find out more why TPO is rising in popularity.
But, how do you tell if the problems you are having with your roof could be due to it coming to the end of its life expectancy?
Well, professionals agree that once your roof hits the 20-year mark, it is time for you to think about replacing it.
If you don’t know how old your roof is, then you should dig into your home improvement records to check when you last replaced it.
Knowing its installation date, the material it’s made out of and the maintenance work you’ve done on it will help you determine how much further you have to go.
Debris in the Gutters
If your roof is new and you spot granules in the gutter, you don’t need to worry. Those are simply the loose or extra ones coming off.
However, if you have had your roof for more than ten years, then any granules in your gutter should be cause for concern.
The granules (which are sand-like in appearance) are a top-coat that keeps the sun off the asphalt.
As time goes on, atmospheric changes, moisture, and regular exposure to weather elements will cause the top-coat to slough off.
The moment the granules come off and expose the shingle, it will start to bake in the sun. The result is a fast rate of deterioration in quality.
Therefore, one of your regular roof repair tasks ought to be replacing any worn off top-coat.
Rotting Underlay
Your roof depends on the tiles working together with the underlay for it to keep any water out.
When there is a tear or two in your underlay, you can easily patch them up. But as a tear in the underlay implies a corresponding tear in the roof, water may be passing through that tear.
Inspecting your roof from the outside won’t reveal any problem. The only way you can notice a tear is when you have got water leaking into your house.
Furthermore, since leaks take time before they pose a significant problem, it could mean your underlay is silently rotting away.
In the event you don’t catch this rot in time to repair it, it might weaken your roof’s foundation. Ultimately, your roof will cave in, and you will have no option but to replace it.
Sagging Roof
The top of your roof ought to take the shape of a straight line along the ridge.
Whenever you inspect your roof from outside and notice it sagging, you have an emergency on your hands.
Sagging is a warning sign of structural damage. For example, it might imply that you have a problem with the attic’s decking or the foundation’s support.
If you fail to take care of a sagging roof in time, it will end up collapsing.
Roof sagging can be due to several reasons. The roofing material might be faulty, or the installation might not have been done properly despite using quality materials.
In other cases, there might be too much snow on the roof during winter, which exceeds its load capacity.
Another reason why your roof could end up sagging is frequent exposure to moisture.
To prevent your roof from sagging clear any rainwater. You should also make periodic inspections to determine if your roof is bearing more weight than it should.
Consult a professional if you aren’t sure about the right load capacity for your roof.
Cracked Shingles
Violent wind will damage the roof’s shingles. When you find that only a few shingles have cracked, you can easily replace them.
However, when there is widespread cracking throughout the roof, it’s another matter altogether. That is a sign that you need to focus on replacing the entire roof.
Assess Whether You Need a New Roof Before It’s Too Late
Every homeowner will encounter the decision on whether to replace their roof during the lifetime of their investment.
While there are a variety of reasons that might cause you to consider getting a new roof, it doesn’t alter the fact that it can be an expensive undertaking.
It, therefore, goes without saying that proper maintenance is essential to mitigate damage that might call for a total roof replacement.
For more homecare tips and tricks, keep reading our blog.
