10 Signs You Need to Research the Benefits of Roof Replacement
Roofing replacement is one of the inevitable parts of homeownership. It’s therefore important to make plans for it so that you’re ready to tackle it when it becomes necessary to do so. Failure to deal with it the moment it becomes necessary places your property and family in serious risk. To know when you might need to look into the benefits of roof replacement, it’s helpful to understand some of the signs that should alert you about it in the first place. Here are 10 of them that you need to know so that the moment you start spotting them, you act fast to get a replacement.
1. Leaky
The first sign that you need to research the benefits of roof replacement is if your current roof has leaks. These may be small and spread over the roof, or few but serious. One or two leaks that can be fixed and allow you to forget about roofing repairs for a reasonable length of time are okay. The issue comes up when you have to keep fixing leaks with a concerning frequency. In this case, it’s best that you talk to a professional about the issue and be totally transparent with them.
They’re going to carry out a thorough inspection of your roofing and let you know whether you can get away with repairs or you need to replace it. If you need to replace the roof, pick a material that you know is going to serve your home well and for a long time to come. You can research to find out what this could be and also ask your roofer for their recommendations, especially if they have a lot of experience with roofing in your area. With the right roof, your home is bound to be more appealing and valuable. It can also be more energy-efficient if you pick the right roof, so try your best to do so.
2. Old
Another reason why you may need to look into the benefits of roof replacement is if your roof is ancient. If you built the house yourself or can access the information of the roof installation that was done when the house was constructed, it will be easy to tell if it’s reached its expiry date. If, on the other hand, the roof came with the house, and you have no idea about its history and can’t find any records, you’ll have to call a professional to inspect it. Knowledgeable and experienced roofing services should be able to accurately tell whether a roof is on its last legs or if it has a few more years left on its mileage.
A roof that’s reached the end of its lifespan, even if it seems to be okay, is a risk factor for your home. That’s because all of its elements are in a fragile state and so it would take very little to spark its failure. One severe storm could spell disaster for your roof, placing your family at considerable risk. To avoid the hassle that would come up as a result of having to look for a roofer to do a replacement on emergency basis, don’t take too long to replace an aged roof.
3. Cracked Shingles
Many cracked, curled, and otherwise damaged shingles on your roof are a clear indication that you should look into the benefits of roof replacement. That’s because a few damaged shingles may be a normal issue, but when many of them are damaged, it means that they’re at the end of their lifespan. In this case, local roof repairs will most likely tell you that you need to replace the entire roof. You can choose a different color or other detail of the replacement material. Just make sure that what you choose complements your home so that you can boost the curb appeal of your home.
When your roof has a large number of cracked and damaged shingles, it’s also weak and offers less protection to your home. Note that the shingles are basically the first line of your roof’s defense against the elements. When they’re no longer capable of playing their role well, they expose the other parts of your roof to danger. Depending on the details of your roof, it might be possible to upgrade just the shingles and avoid the extensive and expensive process of doing a total roof overhaul.
4. Neighbors Are Upgrading
If many or all of your neighbors whose homes are the same age as yours are upgrading their roofing, don’t take too long to start thinking about the benefits of roof replacement. If in addition to this, you also have roofing made of a similar material to your neighbors, then there’s no doubt about the fact that you need to replace your roof. In this case, you can find a professional among those working on your neighbor’s roofs and save yourself the hassle of looking for one from scratch. You can also brainstorm with them on what they believe is the best roofing material to get so that you can make a sound decision.
One of the best roofing materials that you can get is a metal roof. That’s because this is one of the roofing materials that offers the most benefits across a wide range of climates. Some of these benefits are being lightweight and fire-resistant. It’s also fully recyclable and can improve your home’s energy efficiency significantly. Talk to a local metal roofing service to learn more about the benefits of having a metal roof over your home so that you make an informed decision.
5. Moss
Moss and other greenery may be sought-after in various settings, but never on the roof of a home unless it’s a living roof. This is because moss thrives in places with a considerable amount of sustained humidity. A healthy roof that’s in good shape should not be capable of sustaining mold since water should flow off immediately it lands on the roof. If it doesn’t do this, it’s most probably because it has considerable damage to it that allows it to hold water for a long time.
If you let the roof stay in this state for a long enough time, you increase the chances of allowing damage to spread to other parts of your home. This is why roofers will advise that you start learning about the benefits of roof replacement if you notice the signature green of mold or gray of algae on your roof. If this is an issue that you don’t want to have to deal with again in the future, look for materials that have a high resistance to water damage. If your home is in an area that gets more than average rainfall over the year, this is a decision that will benefit you considerably.
6. Missing Shingles
Start looking into the benefits of roof replacement as soon as you can if you realize that your roof has a large number of missing shingles. This is a clear indication that the roof is either very old or has been severely damaged. Whatever the case, don’t take too long before replacing a roof that’s in this state because you could end up having to work on a lot more than you’d initially have to. While a few missing shingles can be replaced and allow your roof at least a few more years of service, many missing shingles are a sign that repair is not the best option for you. Replacing the missing shingles in time should help you get a faster and more affordable outcome.
7. Curling Shingles
Curling shingles are a sure sign that you need to look into the benefits of roof replacement as early as you can. This is because that’s another sign that your roof might be damaged beyond repair since curled shingles are a sign of the shingles having gotten to the end of their usable lifespan. Talk to local roofing companies to find out how soon you can replace the roof. Failure to do this can lead to a number of issues, including roof leaks, water damage, poor ventilation, and more.
These reasons make it clear that it’s best for you to look for a solution before further damage occurs. Keep in mind that if you take care of the issue before it gets too far, you may not have to replace the entire roof, including the structural parts. Curling shingles can be exacerbated by poor initial installation, extreme humidity and heat rising through the roof, and a fluctuation in temperature. If these are the reasons that led to your curled shingles originally, it’s a good idea that you switch to a different material when you replace, if this is an option that’s available to you.
8. Pests
A roof that’s been infested by pests is one that needs you to start thinking about the benefits of roof replacement as soon as possible. This is something that those in the roofing contractor business know very well. Some of the pests that are most likely to try and take over your roof include birds, rats, squirrels, mice, ants, bees, and the wildly feared termites. Some of these pests can damage the surface of your roof, but others, like termites, can damage the entire structure, eating through untreated wood underneath the roof with dizzying speed. If you have more than one of these pests on your roof, it’s important to get a replacement rather than await the inevitable terror that’s likely to strike if you let them stay for too long.
Most of these pests are actually going to access your roof through existing damage like small gaps, dry-rotted areas, and loose shingles. Dirty gutters can attract most of these pests, as can the presence of persistent moisture on the roof. That’s why it’s important that you keep your roof in good shape for as long as you can so that you don’t allow these pests access and comfort in the first place.
9. Experts Say to Upgrade
If you have roofing experts who regularly inspect your roof and maintain it, you’re likely to get the best service out of your roof. If they tell you that it’s time for an upgrade, don’t hesitate to start thinking about the benefits of roof replacement. This is because they have a lot of experience with roofs and so they’ll be well aware of the signs that point to an imminent failure of the roof. Ask them to share the details of the damage that they’ve found with you and also advise you on the best roofing material to get to replace your current roof.
Once you know about the specific issues that have led to a rapid decline of the roof over your home if the experts consider this to be the case, you can make an informed decision on the right replacement. For instance, if your home is in an area that receives a lot of rainfall or has high humidity, you may need to get a roof that can resist water damage. In this case, it’s also a good idea to look into waterproofing building solutions so that you keep your entire house safe.
10. It Was Damaged By a Tree
Finally, if your roof was damaged by a tree, this should get you thinking about the benefits of roof replacement as soon as possible. Trees can damage roofs during extreme weather events, with loose branches being turned into deadly projectiles by high-speed winds. This is one of the reasons why experts advise that you should prune your trees regularly and make sure that none get too close to your house. When you allow them to grow wild, they can damage more than just the roof. They can break windows and damage siding, forcing you to call local siding contractors alongside a number of other professionals.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs with your roof, don’t waste more time than is necessary. Doing this can cause you to end up spending more money than you’d otherwise have had to. You’ll also be exposing your family to harm by failing to act fast. To get the best possible outcome, make sure to hire qualified professionals who have the proper training and experience to do a thorough job. Next, keep up with preventative maintenance so that you can safeguard your investment and avoid rapid damage.