Owning your own home is a wonderful achievement, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. Making sure that your roof is up to date is essential and should be a top priority for all homeowners. The roofs over our heads provide us with a first-line defense against the elements, debris, and unwanted critters (raccoons don’t make the best roommates). So, it is essential to stay on top of regular roof inspection and maintenance.
Unfortunately, neglecting regular maintenance on your roof can lead to very costly damage. Additionally, if your roof were to collapse, it would be hazardous. Although putting down money for inspections and minor repairs may seem like a hassle at first, by staying ahead of the game, you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
To ensure that your family and your home are protected, we’ve compiled a shortlist of tell-tale signs that your roof needs a replacement.
Consider the Age of Your Roof
Before you start inspecting your roof, it is important to consider its age. Most roofs have a lifespan of about 20 to 25 years. If your roof is made of a material such as slate, concrete, or clay, its lifespan may be slightly longer, around 30 to 40 years. If your roof is much older than this, you may want to start considering a total roof replacement.
Take a Look at Your Shingles
If your roof has shingles, you can quickly determine the state of its overall health by looking at the shape that your shingles are in. If there are just a few shingles that are missing or damaged, it’s unlikely to be a significant concern. However, if several shingles look like they are curling, buckling, look very worn, or have fallen off completely, this may signify that the roof is nearing the end of its life.
Check the Overall Structure of Your Roof
Just like any other part of your roof, the decking, which is the support structure that holds your roof up, is subject to damage over time. Many things can affect the decking of a house, such as extreme weather, age, water damage, or perhaps the roof was just built poorly to begin with.
To assess the overall structure of your roof, you will want to make sure you have good lighting and are standing far enough away from your home so that you can get a good view. Do you see any droopy or saggy spots? Does the roof look uneven in any way? If so, it’s possible that the docking has been compromised. We suggest contacting a roofing professional right away so that they can determine the urgency of the issue.
Inspect the Flashing
Flashing is a type of roofing material that is used to make a water-tight seal around chimney’s, vents, and skylights. The integrity of this material is essential because it helps to protect your home from moisture and improves the insulation of your home. When inspecting your roof, be sure to check these areas thoroughly. If these areas are missing, or it seems like there is water leaking in, this can be signs that your roof needs attention.
Check out the Attic
Carefully checking the ceilings and walls of your attic is a great way to determine whether there are issues with your roof. Look to see if there are any leaking spots, water damage, mold, or mildew. These things may all be indicating that the structure of your roof has been compromised and is allowing moisture to come into the attic. Another thing to look out for is whether any sunlight is shining through. This can be tough to spot because any holes could be tiny, so look carefully.
Getting a Professional Inspection
Although these tips can help determine any imminent damage to your roof, they are no replacement for a professional inspection. If you are concerned about serious roof damage, you should get in contact with A & J Reliable to ensure that you are not in harm’s way.
Replacing your Roof
If you need to replace your roof, there’s no need to panic. Although this can seem like a daunting task, doing some research can make the process a lot less headache. The average American spends a little over $8,000 on their roof replacement, of course, this can vary based on different factors, such as the size of your home and the material you choose. If you are worried about being able to cover the cost, check with your bank. Many financial institutions will offer affordable loans for these types of services.
A & J Reliable has been the go-to roofing contractor in the Tri-State area for over 40 years. Call or click today to learn how we can help repair your roof.