Some say owning a house is a one-time investment, and the hard part is over once you buy it. However, homes, no matter how big or small, need maintenance to ensure your home remains safe and secure throughout the year. Now, while all of us are always worried about the curb appeal of the house, we take a lot of time to think that the backyard is green and has a good barbeque place. Similarly, the front yard has a good garden or is always appealing to the eyes.
Amidst all of these, the roof is one such part of the house that is often neglected. Nobody thinks of taking care of the roofs unless the occasional cleaning and replacement in case of damage due to a storm or any other natural disaster.
The roof is one of the most critical components of your house, and it needs to be replaced or repaired more frequently. Over time, even the best roofs can show signs of wear and tear. Knowing when to replace your roof can prevent you from potential hazards and save you from costly repairs later. In this blog, we are going to list 10 signs that may indicate you need a new roof.
Top 10 Signs You May Need a New Roof
You have a 20-year-old roof.
It is admirable how your roof has protected your home for twenty years — shows how strong it is. But now, it needs to be replaced. Ideally, age alone isn’t enough to warrant a new roof, and it can vary based on the type of roof you have and the location you stay in. The best thing to do would be to check home improvement records or contact the contractor to find out the date the roof was last replaced.
Naturally, your question would be, even if the roof has aged, why change it if it is still perfect? In these 20 years, it has endured every possible hit at it and is now weakened. If you notice the following signs (occurring due to aging), it is high time you got a new roof!
- Rusting
- Cracks
- Saggy areas
- Moss growing on shingles (normal shingles only have a lifespan of only 20 years)
- Light coming through the attic
Shingles have started to cup, curl or claw
Seeing cracked or curled shingles on your roof is your direct sign to get your roof replaced. For this, you do not have to wait for your roof’s lifespan to reach 20 years or more. In some cases, you might just need to replace your roof’s shingles. However, if the shingles are curling, are missing, or are cracked due to the aging of the roof, there is nothing that can be done other than replacing the roof.
For those who don’t know how to tell the cupping, curling, and clawing of shingles, let us break it down for you. Cupping and curling almost look similar. The ends of the shingles start peeling away from the courses below them and start to point upwards. Clawing occurs when the center of the shingle starts to lift while the ends remain intact. Neither of the conditions is a good sign, and immediate action needs to be taken.
Your roof is leaking.
Leaking roofs can be an indication of needing a new roof. Before you take that step, it is important to know what is causing that leak because leaks can sometimes be caused by poor installation techniques. However, if the leak doesn’t go away and keeps coming back, you should replace your roof with a new one.
You notice dark streaks on the roof.
If you start noticing dark stains or stains on the underside of your roofs or running down your walls, it is a sign indicating you need to replace your roof. This is another sign that your roof is leaking and moisture is ruining both your roof and home interior. Another reason why dark stains are appearing on your roofs could be due to the growth of airborne algae, which shows that your roof has aged and needs replacement.
Your roof is sagging.
When your roof starts to appear bent or curved, it often points to sagging. Roof sagging is a common problem that appears in homes with roofs that haven’t been replaced in a long time. So what causes roof sagging? It may be because of water damage, an excessive amount of weight on the roof, or old age. However, although some roof sag is acceptable, it is important to know how roof sagging is not acceptable.
Visible signs of sun damage
Over time, exposure to the sun for a long time can cause the roof to be brittle and cracked. This is another sign that indicates your roof needs a replacement. Signs such as faded or cracked shingles are a sign that your roof should be changed. Some of the common signs of sun damage on your roof are mentioned below.
- The UV light emitted by the sun will damage not only your skin but also your roof, and discolored shingles are a sign to replace your roof.
- Finding parts of shingles in the gutters on your law is an indication that your shingles have taken all the sun damage they can
- Wrapping of shingles is another indication of sun damage on your roof.
Daylight coming out of the attic room.
Over time, if you go to your attic and notice that sunlight is coming into the attic through roofs, it indicates that it has cracks. And if sunlight comes in through the cracks, then rain will come in, too. In this case, it is mandatory to replace the roof immediately.
Apart from the attic, where else can you find sunlight coming in to identify the red flags of damaged roofs? First, identify where your pipe boots, roof vents, and other equipment are installed. Chimneys, stove pipes, plumbing or heating/air conditioning vents, and electrical vents are some areas where equipment is installed, and it is not normal to see sunlight coming through these areas.
Rotting or discoloration of the deck in your attic
Every roof needs a solid roof deck so that the roofing components or other components can be installed properly. Roof decking is the wooden foundation that makes the base of this roof system strong. When this roof deck starts to discolor and rot, it is a sign that your roof needs to be replaced. Because a weak roof deck will lead to major problems. However, spotting compromised decking without tearing off your old roof is impossible.
Damaged chimney flashing
If the chimney flashing is usually made of tar or cement, it gets damaged over time due to extensive rain or exposure to the sun. And once that deteriorates, your roof might start leaking, or daylight might enter. This is an indication that your roof needs to be replaced.
Your neighbors are replacing their old roofs.
The nailing of your neighbor’s roofs is a sign that you should inspect your roof for any damages. Most developments in the same subdivision is usually built in the same period, so when they are replacing the roof, it can be taken as an indication that your roof might also be aging or showing signs of damage.
Apart from the above-mentioned indications of roof damage, there are some other signs, such as finding shingles pieces in your garden or falling off, moisture in your attic, missing shingles, or grit in your gutters, etc. are some of the other signs indicating you need a roof replacement. Now, if you have noticed these signs, it is best to schedule a free roof inspection with the best roofing repair and services company in Portland. Call us to schedule your next roof inspection.