6 Signs You Need A New Roof For Your Home
You may need to replace your roof and you didn’t even know it because you didn’t know what to look for.
04/03/2020
You may need to replace your roof and you didn’t even know it. Why? Because you didn’t know what to look for. Thankfully, your roof can give you certain warning signs in order to save yourself from costly repairs and more damage in the future. Ignoring simple problems in the roof and not doing proper roof maintenance can lead to more cost in the future.
Here are six signs that you need a new roof for your home:
1. Presence of Holes
Holes in the roof can cause water to drip inside the house. An attic is a good place to check for holes in your roof. Besides rainwater dropping in, rays of light coming down from the roof where there shouldn’t be should make you consider replacing your roof.
Sometimes, leaks start out small, but when the roof is left unchecked, these small holes tend to grow in size. This can also be attributed to the fact that it’s constantly exposed to changing weather patterns.
A simple trickle of water inside the house can cause damage to your wallpaper and carpet. In addition, a leaky roof can result in molds, which is an added problem, since it can trigger allergies within the family.
Not only do holes put your house at risk for water flooding, but it’s also through these small openings that pesky animals, like squirrels, raccoons, rats, and bats, come in.
2. Increased Warmth Inside The House
A broken roof plays a role in the heating of your home. Roofs have properties that help retain the cool temperature of your house since they reflect the heat of the sun.
If the color of your roof starts to become darker, then it’s already absorbing the heat rather than reflecting it. This can lead to an increase in the temperature of your house and lead to a higher consumption of energy for your air conditioner, which means an increased cost of paying your electric bills.
Thus, having your roof replaced not only increases the curb appeal of your house but also helps lowers your living cost.
3. Old Roof
Experts said that the typical lifespan of a roof is 25-30 years, but this will also depend on several factors. If your current roof was just placed over an old one, then there might be more damage there.
An old roof breeds more problems as the years go by. This is due to the fact that it’s constantly exposed to rain, storms, and sunlight. Even though you have a good looking roof, it doesn’t mean that it’s structurally okay. If it hasn’t been replaced in years, chances are, there might be something wrong with it already and you just don’t know it yet. It’s better to have it checked early so that it won’t cause more damage in the future.
4. Curled and Buckled Shingles
A curled and buckled roof shingles mean that these materials are well past their life expectancy and have served their purpose, which is indicative of needing a new roof.
Sometimes, shingles also get damaged because of excessive moisture. However, other than time and moisture, shingles also curl and buckle because the roof is defective. When this happens, it’s best to contact a professional roofing contractor.
5. Plants Growing
Normally, the growth of plants is a good thing. However, when they grow on your roof, not only do they make it unattractive, but they also spell trouble.
Common plants that grow in the roof are moss, vines, and alga. They usually grow on parts of the roof that are moist and shady. Their growth can block the path of rainwater that needs to be drained from the roof. If the water is unable to get through, it’ll result in water build-up, which might culminate in flooding.
6. Your Roof’s Flashing Is Damaged
Flashing is a material made of metal or galvanized steel that’s used on vents, skylights, and chimneys. They help seal the seams to prevent rainwater from coming in. When they get damaged by having cracks or when they break, it leads to leaks.
Daily exposure to the outside weather over the years causes your flashing to deteriorate. Thus, it’s important to check them every now and then to make sure that they’re in good condition. If you start to notice that they’re deteriorating, it’s best to have them replaced.
If your roof is still using traditional cement and tar as flashing, it’s best to upgrade to metal flashing for durability purposes.
Conclusion:
Always be on the lookout for possible roof damage. Early detection is the key to cost-saving. Roof replacement will not be necessary if you take good care of your roof with cleaning and proper maintenance.
If you feel the need to replace your roof, the things to look out for are its age, curling of shingles, growth of plants, holes in the roof, damaged on the flashing, and increased temperature inside the house.