It’s easy to know when it’s time to replace a car or an appliance, but how do you know for sure it’s time to replace your roof? Here are some significant signs your roof is ready for an upgrade.
Getting a new roof is one of those home improvements no one gets very excited about. After all, while replacing a roof costs a decent amount of money, it’s not one of those home improvement projects with high visual impact that you and your family are able to show off to others. However, putting off a roof replacement for too long can lead to damage to your home’s interior and even significant structural damage, not to mention contributing to higher electric bills from inefficient heating and cooling. Most people don’t really think about the roof over their heads…until it springs a leak! Don’t wait until water is pouring through the ceiling and you have to break out the buckets!. Here are some telltale signs that signal it’s time to replace your roof.
1. Shingle Damage
If your shingles appear curled or are buckling, it’s a sign that a new roof needs to be installed. Typically, curling shingles occur due to aging, moisture, and excessive heat. In addition, poor installation is a common cause of buckling and curling. Shingles that are curled or buckled are vulnerable to wind and ice damage and can easily crack or break off due to their rigidness.
Additionally, missing or broken shingles are also a telling sign that something isn’t right. Typically caused by extensive wind and storm damage, broken or missing shingles can also be a sign of rain and snow damage and will usually lead to leakage problems if not addressed as soon as possible.
2. Sagging Roof
Sagging is a clear sign your roof is significantly damaged and needs to be replaced. Long-term water damage or too much weight from ice and snow are the most common causes of a sagging roof. To check for signs of sagging, look at the roof line. It should be straight. If there is a dip, swag, or curve present, the roof is sagging and will more than likely need to be replaced.
3. Failing Flashing
Flashing is the areas located around your chimney, eaves, stacks, valleys, and skylights. While lifting or separation of flashing is caused by the normal expansion and contraction of the roof, the flashing fasteners can become loose and allow water to seep into the house, potentially causing serious damage. Check your flashing for signs of lifting, separation, and dried and flaky caulking.
4. Shingle Granules
Shingle granules are dark in color and look similar to sand crystals. When roofs age, bare spots can form, which causes them to lose more granules. Loose granules can also be a result of poorly designed valleys and a badly placed downspout. Granule loss can accelerate the aging of the roof and can cause shingle decay, so this problem should be addressed immediately to stop moisture from entering the house. Look for large amounts of shingle granules in the gutters or around the edge of your home. If you notice a significant amount of this loose residue, it is a good indication that the roof needs replacing.
5. Plantlife
If you notice dark streaking on your roof, or notice little green moss peeking out from between your shingles, it’s likely you have airborne algae damage and moss growing on your roof. While the algae is little more than an eyesore, the moss can cause damage. Moss can grow on roof surfaces that don’t get much sunlight, especially in cool, moist climates, and it holds moisture against the roof surface. Overtime, this can cause damage to the granules on the top of the shingles in freezing climates.
6. Age and Appearance
Most roofs come with 20-year warranties. So if your roof hasn’t been replaced in well over two decades, there’s a good chance that you should start thinking about putting a new one on your home. Additionally, the curb appeal of your home is important, and you don’t want your roof to detract from it. Stand in your street and check for large areas of disrepair, widespread “streaking” on your shingles, or worn areas around chimneys and vents. If you can tell there’s damage on your roof from a street view, so can everyone else, and it might be time to find a roofing contractor like A to Z Contractors a call.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs occurring on your roof, it’s time to consider an update. Doing it now before the snow flies will also help you save significantly on energy bills over the cold winter ahead. Give us a call at (763) 424-1884, shoot us a text at (612) 366-1386 or visit us at https://www.atozcontracting.net/contact-us/ to get started.
