As a homeowner, maintaining a good roof will allow you to have a stable home, offering a safe and balanced life for you and your family. If you aren’t sure if you need a new roof, there are some signs to keep in mind so that you know what you’re looking for. According to Roofer’s Guild, the average roof should be between 25 and 50 years. These signs are common with all roofs, no matter what type you have and plan to get on your home.
Signs of Water Damage
One of the first signs that you need a new roof is evidence of water damage that has started at the top and is working its way down your home. You can find this damage on the exterior of your home, along the siding, or inside the home. You will notice that your gutters are starting to hang because of the excess water they are holding. You could even see a color change in the paint and siding on the home from the water damage building up beneath the paint.
Water damage will stain the walls, soften the drywall, and require you to replace them. If you look far enough into it, you could have mold growing in some of these places and need to have these spores removed for protection. According to ComfyLiving, mold begins around 24 to 48 hours to form after water damage. These stains will be brown and have broad shapes that look like water traveled. Some of the worst interior water damage cases involve water leaking to the bottom and getting into the foundation. This happens in rooms and areas that aren’t frequented a lot and are out of sight.
Dry-Rotted Shingles
If your home has a traditional roof with asphalt shingles, it will start to deteriorate over time from age and exposure to the sun. If you’ve noticed the shingles have started to dry out and will disintegrate when you touch them, the rest of the roof will likely be in the same condition. This means that you’ll need a new roof replacement and do this quickly, as this condition of the shingles will allow water damage to collect pretty quickly. 90% of the roofing market today consists primarily of the installation of new roof replacements, according to BCC Research.
Missing Spots In The Roof
There are various types of roof options, so even if you don’t have asphalt shingles, you could still have tiles or pieces of the roof missing due to constant sun exposure or other elements that will cause the material to break down faster than expected. In these cases, you need these areas repaired right away and then determine if the entire roof is in need of a replacement.
Unable To Handle Weather Conditions
As a roof ages, it will not be able to manage weather conditions as well as it did right after installation. If you notice that your roof is losing shingles in bad windstorms or heavy rains, it’s time to replace the roof before more damage can occur. These shingles that blow off in a storm can leave certain parts of the roof exposed and open to the elements. Even if you have a metal roof, you can have a damaged piece that will start to bend and curl, allowing water to get into the roof just like missing shingles would do. You should always give your roof a good look after a bad storm to see how it made out through the weather.
Get Your Roof Replaced
If you’re starting to notice some of these signs on your own roof, it may be time for a roof replacement. When you contact a roofing contractor, keep in mind that you have several options to choose from with a new roof, and you can get the same expected durability and lifespan with different materials. Don’t allow a bad roof to cause extensive damage in your home, and have a contractor come out today.