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Are you considering a roof replacement? Would you know if you did? Quite often, the signs can be rather noticeable, but other times they won’t be. A sturdy roof above your head is undeniable if you’ve become accustomed to having a warm, cozy, and leak-free home. Here’s how to notice and deal with potential problems before they spiral out of control.
If you’ve done just a little investigating into this question, you’ve probably come across the” 20″ year rule for a roofs lifespan. That number is utilized as a benchmark. Most residential roofs need replacing within that window. But, there are many variables to consider, and all roofs are unique.
Roofing systems take a tremendous amount of external wear and tear with every year that flys by. Strong sunlight, strong winds, tree damage, wildlife, hurricanes, large sums of rain, or dangerous weather conditions – all of these have a direct effect on a roof’s lifespan. How quickly your roof needs to be replaced depends on several factors:
What kind of weather is experienced.
Correct maintenance and care.
Age of the materials.
How good the materials used are.
Building and design.
Upkeep with minor repairs.
Keeping pests and rodents away.
External debris accumulation.
Consider Your Roof’s Age
Typically an asphalt shingle roof lasts about 12 to 15 years. Metal or tile roofs tend to have a far longer lifespan. If your roof is nearing its average replacement age, you should probably start thinking about your next roof. If previous roof repairs were placed over the top of your existing roof – a technique referred to as overlaying – you should assuredly be thinking about getting a new roof. Overlaying is a patch job that can mask larger roofing problems underneath the shingle surface.
Begin By Inspecting Your Roof From the Inside Out
Once you have begun to brainstorm the idea of investing in a new roof, begin conducting your own research at home by inspecting your roof’s condition from the inside out. Take a flashlight with you to your attic or to the space in your house where the interior of your roof is visible and look for the following signs to a more serious problem:
Rays of Light: Light beams are indicators of roofs that require replacements or repairs. For best results, evaluate the interior of your roof during the day to locate and identify any light beams.
Leaks: Inspect the interior of your roofing area for drips and potential water damage. Anytime a roof gets a leak, other areas of your house and its foundation are put at risk, particularly if you decide not to repair the roofing issue as quickly as possible. Very damp areas can lead to additional rot and mold, and fungus that can contribute to breathing and other health consequences.
Streakin & Staining: Thoroughly look over all of the insides of your attic and try to locate potential spots, stains, and streaking. Inspect any oddly colored area of your roof for additional information on its cause and potential leak culprit. Stains and streaks within the interior walls of your attic are red flags to a bigger and more serious issue involving your roof’s durability.
Look For Shingle Issues
Normally people don’t pay any mind to the state their roof is in. Most of the time, not taking a good look unless there is a stain or dark spot viewable from the street or yard.
Weathered or dilapidated shingles are quite easy to uncover if you search for them. Completely missing shingles can be replaced individually, but it’s oftentimes an indicator of a larger problem. Large areas of broken or weakened shingles (or shingles that are visibly falling apart) indicate that your roof needs a replacement.
Shingles can curl in two ways – the first is cupping when the edges curl upward, or the second way shingles curl called clawing when edges stay flat, and the middle starts to come up. Both of these situations could mean that:
Moisture has built up underneath the shingles due to inadequate ventilation in the attic.
Shingles were inadequately installed.
Old age and wear from direct sunlight and weathering
If your roof is at the point where you see large amounts of asphalt granules clogging up your gutters, then there’s a strong probability your roof needs to be replaced.
Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth
Dark spots (or generally dirty-looking shingles) are caused by fungus and algae growth. These may not be directly tied to how often you need to replace your roof (or get it repaired), but such moss can spread and cause unnecessary harm to other areas of the roof.
Have you recently noticed fungus or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? Don’t panic. The natural world has a tendency to grow over any structure in its path if it is not properly cared for and maintained.
When examining your roof and the algae you have spotted, make sure to do so by inspecting both the inside and outside of your roof. While most algae growths are likely to be noticed from the exterior of your roof, when there’s a larger problem at-hand, nature may also be thriving on its own indoors, with you having zero clue.
Quite often, treating natural growths from a roof is a way to quickly remedy the problem without considering a re-roof. But, if you notice substantial growths on your roof or inside the property, it is highly advisable to call a roofer to identify the root cause and reason for the growths.
If the roof is just totally overgrown, then the only course of action would be to get a new roof, which usually happens to roofs that go unattended for long stretches of time.
Fortunately, algae growth and buildup are not typically indicators that you need to repair or replace your roof. Rather, algae are more of just an eyesore on your roof and one that is quite common in humid areas like Florida.
If the situation calls for a new roof installation, a number of decisions will be made. Beginning with the roofing material to use, will you stick with asphalt or consider tile? Which roof repair company in Hollywood will you hire? Whether there’s a valid insurance claim. For many homeowners having access to the money to get a roof replacement may not be possible; there is financing available for homeowners offered by reputable roofing contractors. Be sure to do due diligence prior to choosing a roofing company.