As a homeowner, your most important responsibility is to maintain your property. Your home requires regular maintenance to provide maximum comfort and security.
The roof of the house is the ultimate barrier between your family and the harsh weather elements.
It is imperative that you as a homeowner pay attention to the signs that indicate when your roof needs to be replaced.
For this kind of job, a Do It Yourself(DIY) approach is not advisable and that is why we recommend that you consult a professional such as MasterPro Roofing Solutions.
Here are a few signs that will determine whether you should replace your roof
1. Curling Shingles
Curled roof shingles, or shingles that are dangling, suggest that you need to have the roof fixed. Various factors could cause shingles to curl, including defective materials, incorrect installation, or natural forces.
The curled shingled roof will not protect you from elements and as a result, your house may need a new roof.
2. Roof Leaks
A leaking roof is one of the most obvious signs that your roof needs replacement. To check for roof leaks, go up to your attic right after a heavy rainfall then look for any signs of water intrusion.
Also, check out the ice dams outside of your house. This is important because when the snow on your roof melts, it runs down the eaves and freezes again. T
his water flowing down the roof might run under your shingles and find a way into your house.
If leaks are in a certain part of your house, you do not require complete roof replacement, just a patch over the leaky area will suffice. But make sure you call a professional to inspect it because putting off the roof repairs for too long might lead to complete roof replacement.
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3. Roof Cracks
Shingles often get cracked because of strong wind or storms. If you see cracks in only a few shingles, then you can replace those particular shingles only.
But in case your whole roof is filled with cracks, then this is a telltale sign that your roof needs a complete replacement.
To locate cracks, you can go up to the attic and turn the lights off. If you see light passing through many cracks in the roof, then you should have the roof replaced as soon as possible.
4. Discolored Shingles
From a functional standpoint, there should be no problem in replacing a few shingles if you see some missing from your roof.
But aesthetically speaking, you might not find the exact color match of your shingles since the color of granules changes significantly in years.
Also, the shingles of your roof color would have changed after exposure to weather conditions.
You can keep patching your roof until a bigger issue presents itself. But if your roof starts looking like a checkerboard, you might consider replacing it as soon as possible.
5. Aging Roof
There are several types of material used in building roofs, and in the United States, the most common type of roofs are installed with shingles. These roofs are designed to withstand the weather of a particular area.
The durability of the roof depends on the material used. Aging also depends on whether your house has single or multiple-layer shingles. Professionals say if a roof has multiple layer shingles, then it can last for 20 years.
Furthermore, if your roof is exposed to extreme weather, which will eventually take its toll, then it is recommended to replace your roof after 15 years.
6. Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the material placed around objects which protrude from roofs, like chimneys and roof vents. It is designed to prevent water from running into the roof.
Flashing is made up of thin pieces of impenetrable materials, i.e., galvanized steel and aluminum.
This flashing may get damaged due to the drying up of the caulking material used under it. Another problem, which might arise is loose flashing, as it will cause water to leak inside your house, causing extensive damage like mold and mildew growth.
All these above-mentioned factors are brought about by various factors, including physical damage, aging, poor structure, and winds.
Whichever the reason led to your home’s roof, act promptly and repair the roof as per the recommendation of your chosen contractor.
