HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR ROOF
Your roof plays an important role in protecting your home from the elements while aiding in improving your curb appeal. However, if not taken care of, it can result in costly damage to your home’s exterior and even potentially its interior. It can be challenging to identify when the time is right to replace your roof, and that’s why we are here to help. Check out some of our tips on how to determine when you should start thinking about replacing your roof.
Aged Roof
The typical lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is around 20 to 25 years. This lifespan can vary greatly though depending on the condition the roof manages to stay in during this time. If your roof has experienced wind or storm damage or is lacking proper ventilation, its lifespan can drastically be reduced. Make sure you know the age of your roof so you can be aware of when you should start considering a roof replacement.
Shingles Show Signs of Damage
Take some time to look at your shingles. If you notice any cracking, curling, or buckling, then it is time to replace. Shingles are supposed to lie flat against your roof, and any shingle not doing this negatively affects your roof. Looking even closer can reveal if you’ve been losing granules from your shingles. Granules are there to protect the roof from harmful UV rays and are often lost due to prolonged exposure to the elements. Additionally, if you notice these granules showing up in your gutters, this is another sign that a new roof is needed.
Visible Dark Stains, Algae, or Moss
Moss and dark stains show signs of trapped moisture within your roof, which can become quite problematic the longer it goes unnoticed. While using tools to remove the moss from your roof can help in the short term, we recommend reaching out to a roofing professional to dig deeper and see if you have a larger moisture issue that could require a repair or replacement.
Leaks or Light Shining Through Your Attic
Make your way up to your attic and check for any areas where you can see beams of light coming through the top of the house, as well as any stains or streaks on the ceiling. These could be signs of a leaky roof. The longer these issues are not repaired, the worse the leaking damage will be. Reach out to a roofing contractor immediately if you experience these problems in your attic.
Shingles are Missing
You may think a few shingles blowing off during a storm here and there isn’t a big deal, but it can actually indicate that your roof is damaged. Functionally, there may be no issue in simply replacing a few shingles lost in a storm. However, checking to ensure there is not an underlying problem is always a good idea. If shingles can no longer stay on the roof due to damage to the roof’s underlayment or the roof itself, then you have a much bigger problem to solve.
Roof is Sagging
A sagging roof definitely shows that you need a replacement before your roof completely caves in. Look at your roof’s surface, especially its lowest points, for any sign of sagging spots, rotting boards, etc. to help gauge how bad the rotting damage is. Keep in mind that any snow, rainstorms, or extreme weather can speed up the deterioration of your roof.
Roof Repair & Replacement by Smart Roofing
If you notice your roof suffering from any of these issues, reach out to us at Smart Roofing for an inspection, quote, and plan on how we can work to make sure your roof and home remain functional and protected. Every roof repair and roof replacement project we complete around central Iowa uses our quality materials and workmanship. Contact us today!