Roof Replacements - When It’s Time To Change Your Roof
In some cases, it is apparent that your roof may be in a poor condition but some things are not obvious at all times. Many homeowners can decide whether they have to do typical patchwork, a major roof repair, or even a full replacement of their roof. If you can recall when was the last time you have replaced your roof, this is a major starting point. Roofing components can be quite long-lasting provided they are well taken care of. Thus, considering how old your roof is, is a great spot to start.
The life cycle of roofing materials
Roofing components and shingles come with their own life expectancy or better, the timespan they’ll be in their best condition. Some environmental influences can decrease the life cycle of a roof. Especially if you live in a region exposed to fierce winter storms, winds, rainfall, or even hurricanes. All these environmental elements can greatly shrink the life cycle of a roof. Some rough estimates on the life cycle of each roof based on its building material are:
- Metal roofs (including tile and slate): 50+ years
- Wood shingled roofs: 30 years
- Fiber cement: 25 years
- Composition roofs & asphalt shingles: 20 years
Signs it’s time to get a roof replacement
If your residence is new and you have lived in your house for just a few years, it’s highly likely that you hadn't had a roof added. Seeking info on the age of your roof may be a quite tricky task. If this is the case, here are some signs to consider that you need to fix or fully replace your roof. During checking it, here are some telltale signs:
Dark algae streaks. If you notice black streaks appearing on the surface of your roof, this may be a sign that you have a build-up of algae that holds up humidity and may ruin your shingles.
Problematic chimney and step flashing. The metal-made flashing on the perimeter of a chimney and roof connection spots with walling can oxidize and ruin due to element exposure. This may cause leakage around the chimney and even cause problems to your house’s interior.
Unfilled holes. Roof drilling is sometimes necessary for a wide range of reasons e.g introduction of satellite platforms and antennas. However, if these holes remain unpatched once the units are taken away, water leakage may occur.
Shattered or ruined shingles. Do you notice some obvious damage from environmental elements e.g wind or ice? This is a sign to replace your shingles right-away. If the damage is obvious in the biggest part of the roof, you may need a complete roof replacement as well.
Shingle deterioration due to storm. A heavy storm can lead to roof damage in several ways. Big hailstones have the power to ruin shingles and leave apparent holes behind. Less aggressive hail elements can also deteriorate your shingle’s granules and leave them exposed to solar damage.
Concrete and roof tar patching. Up until recently, homeowners typically hired a contractor to carry out fast and simple fixing work on affected roof spots e.g walls or around the chimneys with the use of roof tar. This prevents water from entering temporarily, however, it may prove out to be wrong in the long-term. If you spot shattered patchwork across your roof, contact immediately a roofing expert to evaluate your case.
Curled/Bent shingles. Are your shingles rolled up around the tips? There are a few different explanations for this. For example, they may not have been set-up or arranged properly or they have passed their expiry period. If you notice curled shingles, contact an experienced roofing contractor.
Granules lost. Granules inside your shingles will probably wash away as time passes. If it’s obvious that many granules have eroded, this is a clear sign that you will have to get a new roof.
Revealed nails. Once shingles are past their life-cycle, they get deteriorated and nail heads are exposed to the surface. This is another sign that your roof’s life and performance have ended and you need a replacement.
Broken shingles. If you notice that shingles are broken, you should contact a roofing professional immediately to fix them. Expert regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of your roof and prevent water damage. However, if the damage is already major, a complete replacement may be needed.
Dark algae streaks. If you notice black streaks appearing on the surface of your roof, this may be a sign that you have a build-up of algae that holds up humidity and may ruin your shingles.
Problematic chimney and step flashing. The metal-made flashing on the perimeter of a chimney and roof connection spots with walling can oxidize and ruin due to element exposure. This may cause leakage around the chimney and even cause problems to your house’s interior.
Unfilled holes. Roof drilling is sometimes necessary for a wide range of reasons e.g introduction of satellite platforms and antennas. However, if these holes remain unpatched once the units are taken away, water leakage may occur.
Shattered or ruined shingles. Do you notice some obvious damage from environmental elements e.g wind or ice? This is a sign to replace your shingles right-away. If the damage is obvious in the biggest part of the roof, you may need a complete roof replacement as well.
Shingle deterioration due to storm. A heavy storm can lead to roof damage in several ways. Big hailstones have the power to ruin shingles and leave apparent holes behind. Less aggressive hail elements can also deteriorate your shingle’s granules and leave them exposed to solar damage.
Concrete and roof tar patching. Up until recently, homeowners typically hired a contractor to carry out fast and simple fixing work on affected roof spots e.g walls or around the chimneys with the use of roof tar. This prevents water from entering temporarily, however, it may prove out to be wrong in the long-term. If you spot shattered patchwork across your roof, contact immediately a roofing expert to evaluate your case.
Curled/Bent shingles. Are your shingles rolled up around the tips? There are a few different explanations for this. For example, they may not have been set-up or arranged properly or they have passed their expiry period. If you notice curled shingles, contact an experienced roofing contractor.
Granules lost. Granules inside your shingles will probably wash away as time passes. If it’s obvious that many granules have eroded, this is a clear sign that you will have to get a new roof.
Revealed nails. Once shingles are past their life-cycle, they get deteriorated and nail heads are exposed to the surface. This is another sign that your roof’s life and performance have ended and you need a replacement.
Broken shingles. If you notice that shingles are broken, you should contact a roofing professional immediately to fix them. Expert regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of your roof and prevent water damage. However, if the damage is already major, a complete replacement may be needed.
