Warning Signs to Look For Regarding Roof Replacement
While chips in your home’s walls are a cosmetic problem, any issues with the roof are a lot more alarming and need immediate attention. The roof keeps you and your family safe while facing extreme weather conditions; however, being constantly weather-beaten can cause the roof’s shingles to break, damage, or leak. Also, the roofing cannot last forever and eventually deteriorate. Here are some warning signs to help determine if you need a new roof.
It’s been a while since the roof was installed
The weather, climate, and general environmental conditions can affect how your roof has aged. The older your roofing gets, the more prone it is to damage, including water damage, breaking, cracking, etc. The damage is despite the fact that most of the roofing shingles and other materials are created keeping durability in mind. Aside from climate and environmental factors, other factors could affect how the shingles age. This is why it is crucial to change the roofing after specific periods. You can check the receipts and the last time you undertook a home improvement project to check when you last changed your roof. Some types of shingles also have a longer lifespan. The typical asphalt shingle used in most roofs can last between 20 to 25 years.
Missing or broken shingles
Missing or broken shingles are a glaring sign that your roof needs help. This is simply because if a shingle has fallen off, it means two things. The first thing is that the shingles are weakening and losing their structure. The second thing is that the glue/adhesive that holds the shingle in its place is also starting to separate from the base. In this case, even a strong wind or downpour can lead to potential permanent damage to your home’s roofing. But note that missing shingles does not always mean that you need to redo your entire roof. It could be that those shingles were defective or not glued appropriately, and a simple repair job can solve the issue. This also means you do not have to shell out a large sum of money to install a new roof. But, on the downside, you may not get similar-looking or matching shingles.
The shingles are curling or clawing
Another telltale warning sign that many people often ignore is the roof clawing, curling, or cupping. This typically occurs during the end of the lifespan of the shingles. Cupping and curling look very similar. Here, the shingle begins to detach from the course below and starts to curl upwards towards the sky. In clawing, the shingle’s center lifts off the course while its ends stay in contact with the end of the roof. If your roofing looks like this, you may want to repair the old shingles or install a new roof. These conditions are often a result of extreme weather conditions or bad installation, and even poor ventilation or age.
There are cracks in the shingles
Sometimes, if you look up at your roof, you may see cracks running along multiple shingles. But, these are not necessarily just cracks. Instead, they could be tears that are caused due to the prolonged thermal expansion and contraction that happens due to extreme weather. This occurs due to the sun’s rays that directly hit your roof. High temperatures during the day mean there is a thermal expansion in the shingles. During the night, the temperature falls, and the cooling causes the shingles to contract. This constant expansion and contraction can cause the shingles to tear. These tears then become the locations for leaks and can also compromise the structural integrity of the roofing.
The shingles are falling down
In rare cases, the roof might completely give out. There may not be any huge chunks of roofing falling to the ground at first. What usually happens with any deteriorating and aging roof is that this damage starts small. This means you will first see small bits and pieces of the shingles falling down into the yard. However, it is not always easy to see where the damage has occurred. At any sign of such pieces, especially after a bad weather day, you may want to get it checked by a roofing contractor.
There is sagging in the roof
This one is not particularly noticeable but it is another one of the most important signs that your roof needs replacement. Sagging in the roof is usually an indicator of more structural issues. This could include issues such as water damage or a broken rafter. It is not always easy to spot. What you need to look out for is a dip in the flat part of the roof or a bow in the roofline. You can also look for humps in the roof plan. If there are any issues with the foundation of your home that are affecting your roofing, you may also see cracks on the walls and beams.
There is considerable water damage
Any water damage to your roof may mean that you need to replace and install a new one. The damage can be caused by numerous reasons, including ice damage, poor quality shingles, deterioration in the shingles, and even bad installation techniques. This can lead to leaks, possibly damaging the walls, beams, and foundation. In some cases, the water may even leak through the roof into your home, leading to the destruction of property. If the water damage is left untreated, it may eventually result in mold and attract insects.
You can always get in touch with your local contractors to redo your roofing. Ask family and friends for references or check reviews online before you hire a contractor for a job.
