Even with how important roofs are, a lot of people do not pay attention to them. It may be that they are out of view for most people, but it is important to check on your roof regularly. This is especially important for homes over 15 years old and for people living in areas that have extreme weather. But, how do you know it's time to have your roof replaced? Below, we look at a few things that will tell you if your roof is in poor shape and whether it is time to retire your old roof.
Age
Even without visible signs of aging or poor shape, homeowners whose homes are over 20 years old should consider roofing replacements. Roofs typically have a lifespan of 20 years, and even though the roof may look fine from the ground or below, it may be time to replace it.
Leaks
A roof that is in good condition should never leak. If you have leaks whenever it rains, your roofing might need to be replaced. If you have a ceiling, leaks might not be obvious until you see ceiling stains.
Shingles
Shingles should always be intact. If they become loose or fall off, your roof is old and in poor shape. When shingles get loose or fall off, they let water and snow enter the home. Even when not considering the possibility of water damage to your home and property, there is always the chance of water and snow damaging other parts of the roof.
Also, shingles that are curling, dry, cracking and blistering tell homeowners that their roof needs replacing. Blistering is a sign of moisture damage while the other signs may be due to extreme weather like heat, strong winds or heavy rain.
If there are dark or dirty areas on your roof, it means that the shingles have started shedding granules and need to be replaced. These dark or dirty spots could also be signs of moss or algae. If this is the case, the roof should be cleaned as soon as possible.
These granules can also be seen when you clean your gutters.
A Sagging Roof
A sagging roof could mean:
There might be too much weight exerted on the roof. Such weight might be because of ice, snow or any other debris
The roof is old and is becoming weak
The roof was not installed correctly
If the problem is that it has been installed incorrectly, you will need to shop around for a reputable roof replacement company with plenty of experience. If you live in San Diego, for example, check out Semper Solaris. Their professionals have been in the roofing industry for years and offer the best roofing services available. Visit them at sempersolaris.com for all your roofing and roof replacement needs.
Loose and Exposed Nail Heads
When your roof warps because of heat or moisture, the nails holding the roof together might become loose and exposed. Through the enlarged nail holes now exposed, snow and water might pass through and damage your property and roof. If you see nails sticking out, it is time to consider a roofing repair or even a full replacement.
Water Damage in the House
Water damage does not necessarily have to come from large drops falling on the couch whenever it rains; it could also be because of moisture seeping into the house slowly due to an aging roof. If you see water damage when it is not raining, your roof is in bad shape.
A Rise in Cooling or Heating Bills
A good roof should keep the warm/cool air in. If you see a rise in cooling or heating bills, it might mean one or both of two things:
You have insufficient ventilation in the house, or
You have a damaged roof
Both of these things let the air you want out and bring in the air you do not want. If you do not have any problems with your ventilation system, your roofing might be the problem.
Mold Between the Exterior Wall and Roof
Roofers install kick-out flashing where the roof meets the wall. Without the flashing, water can flow down the wall leading to stains or even into the wall leading to structural issues. If you notice mold where the wall meets the roof, your roof might be in bad shape.
Rusted Gutters
Gutters are part of the roof and if they get rusty, their integrity might break down and lead to leaks. If you notice any rusty spots, clean the area with a wire brush and repair it will gutter repair tape. If the gutter is not structurally sound or is in very bad shape, consider replacing it or having an expert do it for you.
Roofs are very important and when they begin to fail, there might be massive negative consequences. Ensure that you check your roof from time to time. That said, there are some signs that your roof is in bad shape that you do not have to look out for. Things like granules falling from the roof or your heating and cooling bill going up will show up when your roof begins to fail. Just ensure that you call a professional when you notice any of the signs described above.
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