3 TellTale Signs You Need a New Roof
Nothing lasts forever. At some point, all roofs will need to be replaced, but when? Here are 3 TellTale Signs You Need a New Roof:
Ask yourself or the realtor (if you’re considering buying a house), how old is the roof? Roof Age plays a huge role in deciding if it’s time for a roof replacement. Typically, a roof reaches full maturity at 25 years and anytime after that is considered ideal. However, it is recommended when a roof turns 20 years old to get it inspected, especially if you’ve been experiencing leaks or missing/damaged shingles.
Take your shingles and flashing into consideration. Large amounts of damaged and loose/missing shingles may cause roof leaks. Damaged shingles include curling/buckling shingles, blistering shingles, and cracked/splitting shingles. If you have Curling/Buckling Shingles, they are a good sign that you most likely have 1-5 years left before you begin to experience major issues with your roof. Blistering shingles are caused by poor ventilation in the attic and is concerning when the “blisters” pop and are larger than a quarter. Cracked/Splitting Shingles may allow water to easily sink into the underlayment. Granular loss, rot, moss/streaking, and sun damage need to also be taken into consideration when inspecting the shingles. Granular loss may be found in the gutters or on the ground directly below the roof. Depending on your shingles, granular loss typically looks like small black rocks or sand.
Higher energy bills, like electric, may be a telltale sign that your roof needs to be replaced due to a loss of insulation. As a result, when the insulation is poor quality, then depending on the season, the cooler or hotter air quickly escapes from your home and to keep up with the poor insulation your heating/air system keeps up with the thermostat, which uses more electricity.
Roof repairs are a great option to consider before cutting ties with your roof. However, roof repairs are only a temporary fix for the long run, so if you have a roof older than 20 years. You need consider investing in a new roof as you most likely will experience another roof problem soon into the future. Even though a roof is a big investment, it pays off, especially if you’re constantly battling roofing problems and higher energy bills.
