When is it Time to Replace a Roof?
You may have been living comfortably in your home for many years without any issues, but when was the last time that you checked your roof? Every day when you leave your house and approach it again in the evening you get a glimpse of it, but have you really ever taken a closer look? And, if you did inspect it, did you know what to look for?
In most parts of the country, roofs are continuously placed under attack by the ever-changing weather, and some climates are worse than others. Snow, excess rain, wind, cold, and heat can all damage shingles irreparably, and that is when it is definitely time to invest in a new roof. First, you will need to conduct an inspection to see if your roof falls into this category.
Checking for Tell-tale Signs Inside
The absolute best place to first inspect your roof for damage is, surprisingly, inside your home. Go to your attic with a flashlight. Check for dark spots and sagging. Also, turn your flashlight off and see if there is any light shining in from outside during the day.
The dark spots are most likely indicative of a leak and they are nothing more than dried up water stains. Water is usually blocked from coming through the roof in vulnerable areas with flashing. After all, flashing is placed where two areas of the roof join together. If you see stains and spots, your flashing is no longer doing its job, and this may mean your roof needs updating.
See what is Going on Outside
Once you are outdoors, the first thing you should do is examine your gutters. Do you see shingle granules inside? If you do, check the shingles themselves. They will start to wear in an uneven pattern once the granules fall off. That is a bad sign. Check darker shingles more closely so you don’t miss the not-so-obvious wear. When shingles shed, your roof becomes vulnerable to heat damage and water seepage.
Check for more obvious signs of age. Are your shingles or flashing falling off, or, worse yet, missing? Do you see other debris that you recognize as part of your roof all over your yard? This is a pertinent sign of advanced roof wear and it needs replacing immediately!
Acknowledge your Roof’s Lifespan
Even if you have minor roof issues, and you believe they can be easily repaired, keep the age of your roof in mind. Most roofs are designed to survive no more than 15 – 20 years at the most, so once it gets to a certain age, replacement cannot be avoided. That is, unless, you want to spend more money down the road.
Keep in mind that each type of roof has a different lifespan. For example, synthetic slate and synthetic cedar, as well as metal shingles, can impressively last up to a half century. While asphalt lasts between 15 and 20 years and real cedar lasts about a quarter century, they are the most common roofing materials out there. Natural slate can last a whopping 100 years, but it is usually only used on churches.
In conclusion, if your roof is past its prime, or you have been seeing troubling signs on the inside and outside of your home related to your roof, you know that it is time to replace it. Don’t wait for rain to pour in or to get buried in your home by your rotting roof. Call Champion Roofing today to replace your roof and keep your home and family protected.
