Did you know that only a small number of people inspect their roofs to check whether they need roofing replacement? Now you know.
Roofs are exposed to temperature changes, sunlight, hail, snow, and wind that break down the roofing materials gradually.
Roof maintenance and identification of potential problems before experiencing a roof failure reduce the risk of costly roofing replacements. Eventually, every roof will need a replacement. However, with proper care and maintenance, the service life for your roof can be extended.
Even with proper unscheduled repairs and maintenance, leaks will still be expected to increase in both severity and frequency. They will increase until such a time that the roof will demand to be replaced.
If you wait to see signs of roof damage from inside your house and your ceiling, you have waited too long, and you are likely to experience damage to your interior finishes and worse, the building structure.
How then do you tell if your roof needs replacement? If you begin seeing any of these five warning signs compiled below, it’s evidence that you need a roof replacement.
1- Curling or Missing Shingles
After a few years of wear and tear, shingles begin to curl and break. The wear and tear are caused by moisture and temperature changes. Shingles curl when there is double layering, and the ventilation in the attic is poor.
Thunder, strong winds, and lightning storms often tear shingles off the roof. This allows penetration of water beneath sheathing layers. With time, the roof rots and it becomes challenging to repair.
If you notice missing and or curling shingles, it’s time to call in a replacement.
2- Double Layering
Nailing over is the act of replacing a roof by installing a second layer of roofing materials over the already existing one. This method is cheap, ineffective, and it’s the worst way a person can replace a roof.
Replacing already rooting sheathing with new roofing shortens the lifespan of the roof. It adds more weight to the house, which in turn absorbs more heat. It is this heat that will cause premature deterioration of the second roof.
Finally, when you require to replace that second roof, the cost will go up because you’ll be removing two layers of roof, and the new roof will not have served to its maximum.
A double-layered roof is a warning sign to replace the roof because it will cost you more and may cause structural damage to your house because of the added weight.
3- Rotting, Moss, and Algae
Rotting is common with wooden and asphalt roofs. A rotting roof is a clear indication that the roof needs replacement.
Single roofs decay and cause cracking. A decayed roof is usually cracked, has spots, and has some missing pieces.
When moss and algae begin to grow on your roof, it traps moisture, which then causes damage. Moisture collects between the sheathing of the roof with nowhere to escape. It encourages the growth of moss and molds, which then destroys the roof inside out.
The dark and damp places between the sheaths provide the perfect condition for the growth of moss, molds, and algae. Their spores travel between the cracks and sheaths and the damage to the roof increases.
You can get rid of moss and algae by using a stiff brush. Moldy and mossy shingles are not only aesthetically unpleasant, but they can also lead to more significant roof damage with time. It’s vital to replace the roof once moss and algae have been identified.
4- Leaks and Water Damage
When water leaks into any part of your ceiling, attic, or floor, it indicates that there is deterioration on either the flashing or the single underlayment is insufficient.
When the roof is not adequately ventilated, it can cause the growth of molds and mildews, which leads to serious health problems for those living in the house, and it’s costly to even repair.
Staining and discoloration on the interior walls and ceiling is also an indication of water damage and leaks from the roof. This happens when the underlayment of the roof or the sheaths are allowing moisture to pass through. Replacement of the roof solves the problem.
Peeling and blistering of the exterior walls is a sign of water, moisture, or leak damage. Humidity builds up near the house roofline because of a poorly ventilated attic, causing the exterior paint to blister or peel.
If the gutter systems on the roof fail, they can also cause exterior paint to blister and peel.
Clogged gutters are also an indication of water and moisture damage to the roof. When the gutters are clogged by the granules that peeled away from the old and damaged roof, they clog the waterways, and the moisture from this water damages the roof.
5- Age of the Roof
The age of the roof is not only a warning, but it is also a general rule of thumb. Generally, a metal or single roof should serve for at least 20 years while the other types of roofs serve for about 12 to 15 years. It’s advisable to consider replacing the roof as its lifeline nears the end.
As the roof ages, you may find that mortars used to bed the roof junctions degenerate and fall off. The ridges and verges will be left exposed and susceptible to cracking, dislodging, and finally falling off. All these are warnings that the roof needs replacement. please check Sureseal flat roofing.
To know more about what determines whether a house needs a roof replacement, visit the website of this roofing company.
Take Heed of These Signs That You Need Roofing Replacements
The roof is the aesthetic part of any building, and it requires to be regularly maintained so that it can serve for many years. A damaged roof can affect other structures, thus incur more maintenance and repair costs.
Having read through the above points, one should be in a position to determine whether there’s a need for roofing replacements. Also, go through our other posts for informative tips and guides.
Wow, I had no idea that a damaged roof can leak into your home’s interior and do water damage. My uncle was cleaning his outdoor space earlier when he noticed that most of his shingles looked weird. Perhaps he should consider reaching out to a roofer for a possible roof replacement.
Water damage being something that needs replacements was something I appreciate you talking about. This is because the melting snow has caused us a lot of problems here at home, and the top of the house was definitely one area that handled it the worst. I’ll work with a roofing expert in the area so they can assist us with the full replacement.