Replacing a roof is a fairly hefty expense. So it’s not surprising that many homeowners put it off for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, delaying the inevitable often leads to damage that might have been avoided. That damage can make an already expensive project cost even more.
So how do you know if you need a new roof right now? Here are four ways:
- Wavy Roof: It is easy to spot waves or dips in a roof if you back far enough away from your house and look carefully. Dips in the roof are exactly what they sound like: areas in the roof that are dipping below other areas. These often indicate rotten or swollen substrate – which could mean having to replace at least sections of your roof all the way down to the rafters to remove the affected areas and rebuild them with new sheeting. Quite frankly, if your roof appears to be wavy or have dips where there shouldn’t be dips, you’re probably a couple years late in having the roof replaced. You need to act now to avoid further damage.
- Damaged Shingles: Shingles that are curling up are a pretty good sign a roof has reached the end of its useful life. There are several factors that contribute to curling shingles, including extreme weather, sever temperatures, and the breakdown of any UV coating that may have been on the shingles, hastening damage from the sun. Another sign of deteriorating shingles is an unusually high volume of lost granules. Keep in mind that some granule loss is part of the natural aging process of shingles and nothing to be concerned about. But if you’re seeing a large concentration of granules being washed out of your downspouts after even a light rain, you should probably consult a roofing company.
- Leaks: This one is pretty obvious. If you’re seeing puddles on the floor or discoloration on the ceiling, your roof needs help now. You may be able to stretch the life of a leaky roof with repairs, but it won’t be long before the leaks are back, the puddles are bigger, and the ceiling stains are spreading. Here again, you’re a little late in recognizing that it’s time for a new roof and any further delay is likely to lead to more damage and greater expense.
- Have Your Roof Inspected: A trained roofing professional will be able to estimate the age of your roof, forecast how many years of useful life are left in it, and spot potential problems before they start causing damage and costing you money. The National Association of Home Builders recommends roof inspections every three years. Of course, if your roof is brand new, you can probably wait up to five years. On the other hand, after periods of extreme weather – high winds, heavy rain, damaging hail, etc – you may want to have someone look at your roof just to be sure it wasn’t damaged during the storms.
Stay on Top of Roof Problems
Don’t wait for roofing problems to become so severe that you can’t ignore them any longer. Experienced professionals can help you identify and solve problems in your roof before they lead to expensive repairs. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Buresh Home Solutions. We can be reached by phone, at 515-274-2957, or by completing the request form on our Contact Us page.