The roof is one of the most important components of a house or any other building. It helps protect people and other items against harsh weather conditions, like heavy rains, scorching sunlight, snow, and strong winds. You need an effective roof to enhance your home’s safety, comfort, and security.
As sturdy as they can be, roofs don’t last forever. At some point, you’ll need to install a new one. But how do you know when it’s the right time? You can watch out for the following signs.
Age Of The Roof
The first and one of the common warning signs you need a new roof is the age of the existing one. If a roof hasn’t been affected by severe storms, it’s expected to last for about 20 to 30 years. Therefore, if you know you haven’t replaced your roof for that duration, it’s probably the right time to invest in a new one.
But sometimes, you might not know how long the current roof has been on your house, especially if you bought it from another person. Fortunately, in most cases, some visible indicators give away its age, like curling or cracked shingles.
Two approaches to replacing your old roof are DIY or hiring roofing experts. Unless you have extensive roofing knowledge, replacing your roof yourself is unwise. Entrusting the work to professionals will prove more practical.
Hiring a roofing company enables you to save money. They come with the right work tools or equipment, so you don’t have to spend money buying such items. They will also help you to find a shop where you can purchase repair materials at discounted prices.
They provide quality work to ensure you don’t experience problems with your roof anytime soon. So you can avoid future costly repairs. However, you must work with the best roof installation agency. You can search online for more information on how to find the most suitable service provider for your roof replacement needs.
Sagging Roof
A sagging roof is another warning sign. There can be many causes, like poor craftsmanship, excessive weight, and rot.
In many cases, roofs sag due to the excessive weight of snow. And if that’s the case, you only need to find professional snow removers to assist you in dealing with the ice. However, if your roof is sagging during the summer, there must be a serious structural issue, and you must replace it.
Increased Heating And Cooling Bills
If you experience an increase in heating and cooling bills but your HVAC system seems to be working just fine, there can be gaps in insulation in your house. If you’ve already weatherstripped your windows and doors, check the roof. Other things to check on your roof include any signs of leaks and molds.
Moss Growing On The Roof
Moss growing on the roof is one of the visible signs that you need to take action. That’s true since you don’t need to be an expert or use expensive tools to inspect your roof. You only need to use your eyes to spot them.
When you see moss and other types of vegetation growing on your roof, it clearly indicates that it’s too old. This usually happens to homes in areas that receive little sunlight. Therefore, you should consider replacing it.
But sometimes, you might not need to do a replacement, especially if algae cause the black streaks. Typically, algae grow on a roof that’s between 10 and 15 years old. In such a case, you may want to clean the roof to remove algae. But you can seek advice from a professional roof installation company to know which part of the roof only needs replacing or cleaning.
Roof Cracks
Another sign it’s time to replace your roof is cracked, missing, or curled shingles. When shingles are damaged, the underlayment usually follows.
Apart from age, another common cause of this problem is harsh weather. If only a few shingles are affected, the best solution could be to replace only those. However, if you see cracks all over the roof, you may consider replacing the entire roofing system.
Takeaway
Age, cracks, rising bills, sagging, and vegetation are the major factors to consider when deciding whether to replace your roof. Once you see the problem, it’s necessary to deal with it as soon as possible to mitigate any immediate and future risks.
Talk with an expert to know what your options are. The good ones will give you a reasonable quote without compromising service quality.
