Roof Replacement or Roof Repair
The roof is one of the most under-appreciated and overlooked aspects of the home. Few people have ever looked at house in awe and mentioned, “Wow! What a beautiful roof!” While the roof rarely receives the praise and admiration more commonly bestowed upon vinyl siding and replacement windows, the roof is your home’s first line of defense against the nastiest of what Mother Nature has to offer. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to take his or her roof for granted until there is a serious problem. Roof replacement questions usually begin once the homeowner notices a leak. What tends to confuse people, however, is how to determine whether a roof repair or a roof replacement is required. The following guidelines listed below will allow you the insight needed to realize when the time is right for roof replacement.
Age is not just a number
The first criteria you should use to determine whether it’s time for a new roof is the age of your roof. The average life of a roof that was installed properly spans between 20 and 25 years. Even if your roof is not giving you any problems after 25 years, you might want to consider getting estimates so that you are not caught off guard should an issue arise. Get proactive, as knowing the cost of roof replacement ahead of time will make life much easier.
Curling and lifting
Curling shingles are another tell-tale sign that your roof might not be long for this world. Curling is generally caused by heat generated from the sun, or it could also mean the shingles you had installed are defective. Contact a qualified roofing contractor to help you determine the reason for the lifting/ curling.
Shingles on the loose
Scan your roof to notice any shingles that may have gone missing, become loose, or torn. Shingles become brittle over time and therefore tear and could fly off and go missing.
Enjoy the sunshine (just not in your attic)
Noticing daylight spilling through into your attic or crawl space will also tell you it’s time to replace your roof. These trips to the attic will also reveal signs of water damage, such as water spots. Periodically check these areas to assure that your shingles are still all intact and have not yet been compromised.
Listen to your gutters
Inspecting your gutters will also offer valuable information regarding your roof’s condition. Be on the lookout for shingle granules in your gutters. These sand-like formations indicate your roof is beginning to wear.
