Most people don’t really think about the roof over their heads. Then they panic when they have to break out the buckets due to a major roof fail. Severe weather, extreme temperatures, and old age all contribute to the wear and tear of your roof. Don’t wait until raindrops are falling on your head to replace it. Here are the warning signs you should look for to know its time to call in a roofing contractor.
A typical asphalt shingle roof will last between 20 and 30 years. If your roof is at least 20 years old, its time to start thinking about a replacement. While many shingles today are produced for durability, many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. For example, if your roof is not properly ventilated, it can negatively impact your shingles.
You will also want to pay attention to your neighbors. Are they getting new roofs? Homes built around the same time period experience the same weather conditions. If the neighbor’s roof is ready to be replaced, yours probably need to as well.
Sometimes just seeing believing. A shabby roof deteriorating shingles clearly has issues. Shingles that are curled or buckling are signs you may need a new roof, along with cracked and missing shingles. You also need to look for bald spots where granules are missing. Look in your gutters to see whether they are loaded up with shingle granules. Roofs tend to lose more granules toward the end of their life cycle. Inconsistent or darker color on some parts of the roof is another sign the granules have worn away.
Have you noticed dark streaks or green fuzz growing on your roof? Airborne algae cause dark streaks on roof decks. Additionally, moss can grow on roof surfaces that don’t get much sunlight, especially in cool, moist climates. This holds moisture against the roof surface and overtime in freezing climates can cause damage to the granules on the top of the shingles.
Check your attic to see if there is any daylight coming through the roof boards. If light can get in, so can rain, cold air, and snow. Check for light and also look for water stains. Also, check for moisture in the insulation.
Only small leaks should be patches. Bigger leaks may already have caused significant structural damage. Not only does the larger leak and damage need to be fixed, but you might consider replacing your roof now to prevent shelling out even more money for repairs down the road.
Making sure your roof in is the best condition possible is the best way to protect the structure of the house and increase its value. All roofs should be inspected twice a year – in spring and fall.
If you are concerned about the condition of your roof, contact the experts at All-Nu Construction. They can perform a roof inspection and help you determine if it is time for a roof repair or replacement.