The roof over your head protects your home from external elements. It prevents water, heat, and intruders from getting in, ensuring you’re safe and comfortable. Having a well-maintained home is crucial to maintaining its structural integrity.
Various factors determine whether your home needs new roof installation. Read to the end of this page to determine if you should start searching for roof repair services.
6 Signs You Need a New Roof
Wear and Tear
Roofs are designed to last decades and aren’t something you change regularly. However, they become more susceptible to wear and tear once they reach a certain age. Roofing materials such as asphalt shingles (15-30 years), metal roofing (40-70 years), and tile roofing (50+ years) each have their durability.
Once the roof reaches a certain age, it begins weakening after a lifetime of sunlight, wind, rain, snow, and erosion.
Visible Roof Damage
A regular roof inspection will often show early signs of deterioration. You will see cracked or missing shingles, gaps in the roof, and worn-out protective layering. This damage makes your home susceptible to damage and your roof caving in.
Water Damage
Sometimes, the signs of roof damage are inside your home. Check ceilings and attics for damp sports and water stains, common signs of water infiltration. Ignoring these signs leads to structural damage, mold, and a heft repair bill not too far into the future. Moisture promotes mold growth, leading to respiratory and other health problems.
Sagging Roof Deck
The roof deck should be upright and in place, never sagging. A sagging roof indicates rotting beams, water damage, or some extra weight bearing down on the roof. As soon as you see a sag in the roof, immediately contact professional roofers to get it fixed.
Once a roof begins sagging, it’s only a matter of time before it collapses, causing much damage.
Granule Loss
An asphalt shingle comes with protective granules etched into its surface. With wear and tear, this protective layer erodes, exposing the asphalt. This makes the roof look dull and worn, accelerating its damage and susceptibility to sun damage. It starts with one shingle and spreads until a large part of the roof has damaged shingles.
Energy Inefficiency
Gaps and leaks result in poor insulation, severely damaging your home’s energy efficiency. Gaps let air-conditioned air leak away, forcing it to run longer to reach the preferred temperature. Having an airtight roof ensures your electricity bill doesn’t skyrocket, forcing you to pay more than you should.
Considering Roof Replacement?
Getting a new roof for your home is an expensive investment. It is logistically complex and requires significant change to your home. However, your roof is an integral part of your home, and no expense should be spared to ensure it is in the best condition.
Recognizing when it’s time for a new roof is crucial for maintaining your home’s safety and efficiency. From the inevitable wear and tear that comes with age to visible signs of damage like cracks and missing shingles, each indicator serves as a warning that shouldn’t be ignored.
Other telltale signs that suggest you need a new roof are water damage, saggy roof decks, and loss of granules.
