How To Determine If You Need a New Roof
It can be hard to realize that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Usually when you realize it needs to be fixed is when there’s a leak or something else going on, indicating that there’s a major problem. Whether it be because of old age or severe weather damage, a roof will eventually need to be replaced. Roof repairs is not something that can really be ignored. If it goes unattended it could lead to more severe damage later on. Here’s how you can figure out when you need a new roof:
The Shingles: Shingles are there to keep the water flowing and moving away from the roof. Missing and damaged shingles will end up letting the water into the layers of the roof, which will add to more problems down the road. A sagging roof is a sign that the wood under the roof has rotted away and can lead to it collapsing if it goes unattended.
The Gutters: When rainwater or melted snow travels down the roof it needs to go into the gutters. Without the gutters, the water will either flow down over everything under the edge of the roof or it will go inside the house creating more problems down the road.
The Flashing: The flash is added as an extra layer of protection for the shingles. If it’s in need of repair you may notice the flashing missing from around vent pipes, the chimney, and other parts of the roof. In more severe cases there may be water seeping into the attic in small increments.
Seeing Double: In some cases, you might see your shingles doubled up. This is probably the worst way for your roof to be repaired, and should be looked at immediately. Usually, this second layer is placed over a rotting or damaged layer of shingles. It’s a bandage at best and it will lead to more problems in the long run, instead of fixing the solution in the first place.
The Age of the Roof: Most roofs can last a good 12 to 15 years of normal weather in the area. There are exceptions if the roof has been subjected to extreme weather. If your roof is reaching that 12 to 15-year mark, it’s recommended to get the roof replaced, whether you see damage or not. There’s a good chance there might be damage underneath because of the age.
