Do you need a roof replacement? Would you know if you did? Many times, the signs can be pretty glaring, but other times they aren’t. A solid roof above your head is undeniable if you’ve become acclimated to having a warm, inviting, and leak-free home. Here’s how to find and address potential issues before they become big ones, roofing company in florida
If you’ve conducted just a little digging into this question, you’ve more than likely crossed the” 20″ year rule for replacing your roof. That figure is utilized as a benchmark. The majority of residential roofs need a replacement during that timeframe. But, there are many factors at play, and all roofs are unique.
A roofing services firm will often provide additional services. If you think your roof has another problem that needs to be fixed, be sure to ask, at Suffolk County Roof Repair
All roofs take a tremendous amount of external wear and tear with every year that flys by. Intense sunlight, strong winds, debris, rodents, tropical storms, rain, or extreme weather conditions – all of these have a direct effect on a roof’s lifespan. How quickly your roof needs to be replaced depends on many things:
- Local weather.
- Timely maintenance and care.
- How old the materials are.
- How good the materials used are.
- How well it was installed, to begin with.
- Were repairs addressed when needed?
- If wildlife was kept away.
- External debris accumulation.
You Have An Old Roof
The average asphalt shingle roof lasts about 12 to 15 years. Metal or tile roofs tend to have a much longer lifespan. If your roof is nearing its average replacement age, you should probably start thinking about a roof replacement. If previous roof repairs were placed over the top of your pre-existing roof – a technique is known as overlaying – you should assuredly be thinking about a roof replacement. Overlaying is a quick fix that can hide bigger roofing issues underneath the shingle surface.
Start By Inspecting Your Roof From the Inside Out
The first and easiest way to gauge what condition your roof is in is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a powerful beam to make sure no damage is overlooked, and always take proper safety protocols as you perform these kinds of inspections.
Once you are in your attic, see if you can identify one (or several) of these 4 signs that a roof replacement may be unavoidable:
1) Daylight Through The Roof Boards
Prior to turning your flashlight on, try and spot any streams of light coming through breaks or holes in your roof. If the light is spotted coming through your roof, repair or replace your roof immediately. If the light is getting through your roof, then water is getting through your roof.
2) Dark Streaking & Stains
This one is also straightforward to uncover. If you see dark stains or dark streaks on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is probably leaking, and moisture is deteriorating both your roof plus your home’s interior structure.
3) Sagging Areas
In the same way that water will make a piece of cardboard soggy and weak, water can also make your roof structure start to sag. If you uncover sagging sections of your roof, take your hand or a stick to carefully prod at the sagging spot. If the spot feels soft and wet or bends easily with a touch of your stick, you know you have moisture damage.
4) Leaks
Besides just checking for dark streaks and sagging sections, be sure to look for any clear signs of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you locate any clear signs of water damage, it would be wise to contact someone to inspect your roof immediately.
Missing, Loose, Or Cracked Shingles
Inspecting the shingles on your roof is another way to iron out whether or not your roof is in need of further attention or a possible roof replacement entirely. While inspecting the outdoor shingles on your home’s roof, be on the lookout for any cracks, misshapen shingles, or shingles that have curled or bent upwards.
Shingles that are curled, cracked, or misshapen may require a further examination to determine whether or not they must be replaced one by one or if the wiser choice is investing in an entirely new roof.
Discovering shingle granules throughout your roof or building up in your gutter can also be a sign that the moment is here for a complete and thorough roof replacement. Excessive asphalt granule loss is a surefire sign that the roof’s condition isn’t where it should ensure maximum protection and insulation for your home.
Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth
Dark spots (or generally dirty-looking shingles) are caused by moss and algae growth. These might not be directly tied to when you need to replace your roof (or get it repaired), but this growth can spread and cause damage.
Have you seen moss or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? Don’t panic. The natural world has a tendency to grow over any artificial building in its path if it is not adequately tended to and maintained.
When looking over your roof and the fungus you have noticed, make sure to do so by inspecting both the inside and outside of your roof. While the majority of algae growths are likely to be seen from the outside of your roof, when there’s a larger issue on-deck, nature could also be thriving on its own indoors without your knowledge.
In most cases, eliminating the algae from a roof is a way to quickly remedy the issue without further investments or repairs. But, if there are substantial growths around your roof or inside the property, the recommendation is to work with a roofer to determine the root cause and reason for the growth.
When a roof has been completely covered in natural growths, there’s a strong chance the roof needs to be replaced in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks.
Fortunately, moss growth and accumulation aren’t usually signs that you need to repair or replace your roof. Rather, moss is more of just an eyesore to your roof and one that is extremely common in humid geographic regions.
If the situation calls for a new roof installation, there then becomes a number of decisions shortly. Such as which roofing material to use. Which Boca Raton roofing contractor to work with? Whether there’s a valid insurance damage claim. For many people having the money required in the bank to get a new roof may not be possible; there is financing available for qualified homeowners offered by many companies. Be sure to do due diligence before deciding on which contractor to work with.