A lot of homeowners think they only need a new roof if they experience major damage or if they have significant leaking. Other homeowners don’t even know that you are supposed to change their roof, ever. There are certain tell-tale signs that you might start noticing that will, in fact, let you know that you might need to consider replacing your roof. So, how do you know if you should replace a roof rather than just repair it?
Interior damage
If your attic or upper floor displays signs of rotting moldy wood, water stains, or damp spots this could be an indication of a leaky roof. Even if you don’t have an attic, the ceiling will show some damage with patchy ceiling paint and water spots. This means that the roof has been letting water seep in through the ceiling and damage your insulation and interior wall linings. If you don’t address it quickly, this will lead to cracking wall paint, electrical wiring hazards, damage to light sockets, and interior wall structures. If the damage has already been done, then you will most likely be needing a new roof.
Old age
As a general rule of thumb, roofs are expected to last between 20 – 25 years, with some saying up to 30 years. There are many factors at play here, this depends on whether it’s a roof for a house that has never been changed before, if the entire roof has been completely removed, if you have only one layer of shingles, or was it properly ventilated. It’s time for replacement if the current one was installed over another layer of old roofing, the ventilation was poor and contributed to mold and moisture build-up, and combined with an age of 20 years or more, then it has got to go. If unsure of how old your roof is, you can always get professionals to get a proper assessment of its state.
Bad shingles
If your roof shingles are starting to go haywire, then you might need to be looking at roof replacement. If your shingles have started curling at the end, or if they have started ballooning in the middle then they are damaged. Skewed shingles can be dangerous as they can easily fly off when it gets windy or raining too hard. Additionally, if you have many patched with missing shingles that have not been replaced, or you notice a lot of shingle granules in your gutters, then the material is deteriorating, and you need to install new shingles.
Roof valleys
Roof valleys are the long “V” shaped metal open tunnels that moves along the corners and folds of your roof. If your roof shingles are falling apart or missing near the roof valleys, this will create problems for you. The valleys serve a very important function, which is channeling all the snow and rain that falls on the roof and flows them down to the gutters. If the valley is compromised, you could be susceptible to roof leaks.
Moss buildup
Moss may seem more like a minor annoyance than a major problem, but it can cause more roof issues than you may realize. This plant easily grows on the shingles of roofs, particularly in the tiny spaces located between shingles, and can easily cover up your whole roof. The problem with moss is that it traps moisture to your roof surfaces and will further damage your shingles.
If you try to get rid of it by washing it or scraping it off, you might cause unintended damage to your roof by chipping or cracking it. If the moss issue has been left for a while and has overtaken a large portion of your roof, consider replacing your roof with algae-resistant shingles.
Light through the roof
If you start seeing rays of light poking through your roof into your attic, then this could be a sign you need to replace your roof. This means that shingles are loose, the structure is sagging and isn’t as tight as it once was. Another tell-tale is moisture. If you have wet spots on the inside of the attic ceiling, leaks, or parts of your roof feel spongy then it’s an indication that the wood has been compromised by water.
Your roof plays a major role in keeping your house protected from environmental elements and standing properly. You have to ensure that you regularly examine your roof, at least a couple of times a year to ensure it’s in good shape. However, even by time and regular inspection and immediate repairs to your roof, there will come a time when you will need to replace your roof and now you know when to do that.
