While The Sun is Shining: 9 Signs You Need a New Roof
As homeowners we are constantly faced with home improvements and repairs that are needed to secure the integrity of our home. One such home improvement project is making sure your roof will keep protecting you and your family against the elements. Typically, there are specific indicators or signs that you need a new roof. Maybe, you have noticed some wear and tear on your roof that appears to be getting progressively worse. Once a storm hits, it can cause damage to your roof. Oftentimes, roof damage can go unnoticed and can present itself without any real warning.
If you suspect or have noticed damage to your roof, or have damage that has appeared without any warning, then it is important to act right away. Let’s talk about common signs that indicate you may very well be in need of a new roof.
Signs You Need a New Roof
Your roof provides not only protection for your home and family or your business employees, but safety and security as well. With that said, we want to help you determine when to replace your roof. There are five signs that indicate it’s time to either invest in roof repairs or get a whole new roof.
The Presence of Visible Leaks
One of the most obvious signs that you may need a new roof is that of visible leaks. Leaks can be the result of aged and worn-out shingles or shingles that have been damaged or blown off by storms. Over time, roofing materials begin to thin out, crack and weaken, allowing water to make its way into your home by way of the shingles.
When this occurs, you will notice water leaks on the ceiling and walls in your home, and even the formation of puddles in areas of your home. If the leaks are small, they can be patched or repaired by a qualified roofing contractor. Usually, when the water coming from the leaks causes interior damage, then chances are, you will need a roof replacement.
To determine if you simply need roof repairs or you require a complete roof overhaul, you should schedule a thorough roof inspection with a professional who can come out to your home or business structure and perform an analysis and assessment of your roof and advise you of your options.
Your Roofline is Sagging
If the roofline of your home or structure is not straight and durable, but rather it is sagging, dipping, or curving, it’s time to confirm the root cause. Once your roof deck is entirely saturated with water, the only real fix is the installation of a new roof.
Typically, when your roofline is sagging or damaged, you will also notice damaged or missing shingles, leaks and water damage. When this occurs, be sure to contact our team immediately since a sagging roofline can, over time, result in a partial or whole roof collapse.
Shingles That are Curled, Damaged, or Missing
Shingles are the primary foundation of your roofing system. The moment you notice that your shingles are cracked, curling, damaged, or missing altogether, then it is time for you to invest in a new roof. Excessive algae growth on your roof or vents are signs that your roof may need replacing. Missing granules, visible damage around your chimney as well as excessive shingle debris in the gutter system are also common indicators.
Again, it is imperative you schedule a roof inspection with a skilled professional to identify the damage and its extent and determine the best solution.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing can be found around vents, skylights, and chimneys. It’s installed to seal the seams along the roofline from rain and weather. If there are any cracks or breaks of any kind in the flashing, you may experience leaks. Once leaks are discovered, it will be necessary to reach out to a professional roofing contractor to have the leaks patched up.
Water Damage to the Interior of your Home
Drips, stains, and water spots on the walls or ceilings of your home are sure signs of water damage caused by a leaky or damaged roof. To resolve the issue at hand, it is important to contact a professional to perform a thorough roof inspection and identify the source and extent of the leaks and damage.
A professional will be able to determine if roof repairs will provide an effective solution to the problem or further determine if you are in need of a roof replacement.
You are a Victim of Storm Damage
Storm damage almost always leads to a roof replacement. Whether your house has been hit by torrential rain, winds, ice storms, heavy snow, tornadoes, or hurricanes, your roof will sustain damage in one form or another. That’s because winds gusting at high speeds can easily tear shingles entirely off a roof or crack multiple shingles. The heavy rain that comes with a typical storm will also cause water damage to the interior of your home once there’s damage to your roof.
Dark Streaks on the Roof
Though dark streaks do not necessarily mean your roof needs replacing; they are unsightly and can easily minimize the aesthetic appeal and even the value of your home. If you’re a homeowner who likes a beautiful, well-kept house, these eyesores will definitely bother you.
Cheer up! Your roof might only need some retouching or repainting. It’s also possible that a few shingles will need replacing. Beauty has its price, even in a house.
The Age of Your Roof
If your roof is at least 20 years old chances are you may need a new roof. Your roof can last from 20 to 50 years, depending on your location and climate.
Furthermore, there are certain factors that increase the aging process of a roof (e.g. improper ventilation, tree limbs falling on it, etc.), which can negatively affect your roof shingles.
Unsightly Moss and Algae
Roof surfaces that are exposed to moist climates and cooler temperatures and do not get consistent sunlight are often seen with overgrown moss and algae. Since moss and algae tend to hold moisture on a rooftop, when the temperatures drop, the moisture will freeze and cause much damage to the granules along the top of your roof shingles.
It is important to remove the growth which will continue to cause damage to the granules. On top of this, they can be unsightly. This growth can give your home a “haunted” look that you don’t want, unless you want to give your house guests that Dracula vibe.
When to Replace Your Roof
If your roof is old and aged and you see obvious signs of damage, or if you have suffered damage from a storm, don’t delay in contacting a roofing contractor. In many instances, roof damage can be repaired if you detect it early on and act.
But, if you choose to ignore the signs and don’t take action, your roof will deteriorate pretty quickly. Mother nature can be rough on your house. Once your roof sustains damage, everything goes downhill from there. If you have noticed damage of any kind to your roof, act quickly and decisively!
Decide on a Budget
Life is hard. We understand that. You have yourself to take care of, bills to pay, and a family to feed. Finding the money to pay for a full roof replacement is never easy. The next most important thing to do is to decide on a budget and to stick to it. To accomplish that, you need to do 3 simple things: personally document the damage on your roof, contact a trusted roofing contractor, and prepare a contingency fund.
Document Your Roof’s Damage
It’s not enough to just leave it to the professionals to fix your roof. You have to personally take pictures of your roof and the damage it sustained. This will be especially useful when you make a claim to your Homeowner’s Insurance Provider.
Contact a Trusted Roofing Contractor
These days, trusted roofing contractors are at a premium. Finding a company who will fix your roof and not overcharge you is a difficult task. But, there are some still out there. Find one and get your roof inspected. However, to be sure, keep your personal record of your roof handy (e.g. photos, videos, etc.). You never know when you might need it.
Prepare a Contingency Fund
Home repairs rarely go as planned. Most of the time, the costs go way over budget because of other issues that even a contractor might overlook. It’s best to prepare a contingency fund of 10% to 20% of the total contract price of the roof replacement.
Having that money ready will ultimately save you a lot of, believe it or not, money. If work on your roof is halted and construction equipment removed from your property, your contractor might charge you extra when construction resumes and they need to bring them back. Save yourself the added stress. Keep them working on your roof at all costs.
Ignorance is not an Excuse
Many homeowners, like you, don’t know the signs that their roofs need replacement. The sad fact is, most people easily overlook roof maintenance in favor of keeping the parts of the house that they see in good condition. We get it. I’ve been living in my house for over 30 years and I’ve only seen those shingles 5 times. Compared to my roof, I’ve probably had my bedroom remodeled 7 times. Now, if my roof suddenly starts leaking, all the remodeling I’ve done inside the house, will all be for naught.
Wooden walls and floors can’t stand up to leaking water. Once that water starts going in, all bets are off. You would possibly need to redo your entire house and that would cost a lot of money. By knowing the 9 signs you need a new roof, you can save yourself a lot of time, frustration, and loads of cash, long-term. So, get off your couch and start doing something about it!
