[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While it’s sometimes obvious if you need a new roof — any leaks or visible damage are tell-tale culprits — it’s not always easy to spot the signs of a failing roof from your vantage point inside the home. Even if you walk outside, looking up from the ground isn’t the same thing as getting a good look topside, but there are some things that you can do to determine if those signs of roof replacement are real or if you’re just making too much out of nothing.
The Importance of Roof Replacement
If you’re starting to notice the signs of roof damage, you may need a new roof before long. Leaving a leaky roof unchecked with the danger of rain always looming isn’t the best idea, and you could be doing irreversible damage to your property — something that will cost you more money in the long run than just fixing the roof in the first place.
However, the first order of business is to know the signs of roof replacement. A roof that needs replacing can be an eyesore from the street, as well as cause untold amounts of damage to the internal structure of your home. It can also raise your energy bills as that climate controlled air is quickly sent out the top, in addition to all that air creeping in all day and night.
How To Tell If a Roof Needs To Be Replaced
- One of the most obvious signs of a roof replacement need is that you have visible leaks or water damage in the living spaces of your home. If you notice this kind of damage, you already have a substantial leak that needs repair, and the longer you wait means risking even more damage — possibly replacement. To avoid causing more damage, it’s important to contact a professional to assess the situation. If you see anything more severe, such as a sagging ceiling in one of your rooms or in the attic, it could be the signs of a failing roof. It may not look like much, but a sagging ceiling is typically caused by the collection of excess moisture from above. Following the leak all the way up will either lead to some kind of plumbing issue or, more often, a leak in the roof. If the ceiling feels soft to the touch like wet cardboard, you most certainly have a leak somewhere and should get it checked out as soon as possible.
- Our third sign that you might need a new roof is if you notice dark streaks on the ceiling or on the walls. Those dark streaks are actually caused by moisture drying and leaving behind a stain, most commonly in ceilings but it’s also possible in walls. Even if you can’t see any other leaks, dark spots and streaks is one of those warning signs that you may need a new roof, or at least a repair.
- If you’re up in the attic and can see light shining in from outside, that’s an obvious sign of roof damage and that you may need a new roof. If light can get in from above, so can moisture and precipitation, which will inevitably work its way down into your living spaces. Any visible light from above is actually a sign of a roof that has deteriorated significantly because there should be shingles, padding, plywood, insulation and other materials between you and the sun, so it’s important to get it fixed asap.
- For older homes with older roofs, one of the signs that you may need roof replacement is that your roof itself is too old. Some concrete shingles may last 50 or more years, but regular asphalt shingles and other shingle types are only rated for a decade or two. If it’s been a long time since you last replaced your roof — or if you’ve never replaced it at all — you could be due for a new roof. The good news is that your new roof will fix any potential leaks and other associated damage, and then you’ll be set for the next decade or two.
- Signs that it’s time to replace your roof also include decaying or broken shingles. Like wood that may start to rot when it needs to be replaced, shingles can also tell you when they’re reaching the end of their lifespan. If you’re noticing shingles that are losing granules, chipping or any kind of other damage to your roof’s shingles, that could be a sign of roof replacement. Once your shingles start to chip and break apart, that means they’re no longer doing their job and they won’t be able to provide the right kind of protection on your roof. They’ll need to be replaced, possibly with the rest of your roof.
- While inspecting your shingles, if you see visible streaks or moss, it may be a sign that your roof needs repair. A dark streak or outline may look harmless enough, but it’s actually a form of airborne algae that can settle on your roof. It’s possible to clean it away with a special solution, but care should be taken to prevent damage to landscaping and nearby plants. Moss, on the other hand, is typically superficial, but it can also hold in moisture, so it’s important to get it cleared up, as well.
- Basically, if you can see any damage to your roof from the ground such as missing shingles, torn sections of roof or a chimney that seems to be on its last legs, you may need a new roof. Visible damage or holes in your roof’s protection indicate the potential for damage to the underlying structure of your home, which can risk additional damage to your home anytime it rains. Depending on how long the damage has been there, there could also be significant problems with your roof in the areas that you can’t see.
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to act if you see any of the signs of needing roof replacement. Many issues can be dealt with via a simple repair — as long as they’re caught early, so time is really of the essence. Especially if you end up needing a new roof, that’s much better than having all of it come down on your living spaces, which is a danger to everyone inside as well as to the value of your home. Call us today for a free consultation![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]