Would you go out in the rain with a broken umbrella? No! You’d ditch that tatty brolly, so why should your home be any different?
Maybe your roof is crying out for attention, but do you know the roof replacement signs?
Read on to learn how to keep an eye on your roof and catch any early indications of wear before they turn into bigger, more expensive problems.
Watch Out for These 5 Warning Signs
A damaged roof can cause serious problems to other parts of your house. Besides being expensive to fix, constant home repairs can turn into a real headache.
Inspecting your roof on a regular basis will help you avoid having to replace it too soon, and you can do this by looking carefully at the following factors.
1. The Age of Your Roof
Shingle roofs last between 20 and 25 years, while metal roofs can last up to 50 years. So it’s helpful to know the approximate age of your house. If it’s over 20 years old and you have a shingle roof, you will likely need to prepare for a roof replacement.
2. Granules Are Building Up in Gutters
Shingles are coated with a protective granular layer. These granules get sloughed off with age, weather, and general wear, leaving the shingles weakened and exposed.
3. Sagging
MAYDAY! If you can see your roof sagging, call for help. This is a bad sign and you will need to hire a roof replacement company.
The extra weight of heavy snowfall or moisture damage can weaken your roof’s structure. It could even collapse.
4. Flashing Condition
Flashing is a metal roofing material. It prevents water from seeping under the shingles by acting as a sealant between connections and joints. If any of it is missing, there might be water damage to the underlayment.
5. Water Damage
Inspect your ceilings and attic for moisture patches and stains. These will look like dark marks or streaks that will start small and spread. The presence of large marks with a wider spread indicates significant damage.
A roof is not an umbrella. It won’t suddenly break (unless you experience one terrific storm that damages the entire neighborhood). Wear on roofs occurs gradually and can go unnoticed.
Regular roof inspections are key to keeping maintenance costs down. Once noticeable signs of damage start appearing, it’s likely that your roof has already reached its expiration date. It’s time to contact a roof replacement service, so your next step should be finding out how to choose a reputable contractor.
Your Next Roof Replacement Steps
Don’t ignore the warning signs! Take action, get a roof replacement and save yourself greater expense in the long run. Perhaps take some time to investigate the most appropriate roofing material for your house. Consumer Reports provides some valuable information on materials, ratings, and costs.
Do you need more homeowner tips? Explore our blog for some informative reading.
