A roof that is in bad shape can cause a lot of problems for the rest of your home. If you don’t replace a bad roof, you’re going to end up with a large list of problems that are going to cost a lot of money to take care of.
Yet if you don’t know much about roofs, it’s not easy to figure out when, or even how often should you replace your roof. Thankfully, there are some clear signs you can pay attention to that will help you decide when you should start the process of replacing your roof.
In fact, keep reading, and you’ll discover 5 signs that’ll highlight when you need to think about spending money on a replacement roof. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll know how to tell a ‘good’ roof from a ‘bad’ one.
Let’s begin!
1. The Shingles Are in Bad Shape
Shingles can tell you a lot about the state of a roof. If the shingles are in a bad way, you will often need to consider replacing your roof.
One of the things you will want to look out for is curling shingles.
The shingles on a roof can curl outwards or inwards. Either way, it doesn’t matter which way the shingles are curling. You will need to replace them if you want to prevent further damage to your home.
That is because curling shingles can allow for leaks to happen.
When there are leaks, this can cause water damage. Depending on what the water gets to, the repair bills can be quite high. If you address the problem quickly, you might be able to get away with replacing just the shingles. But if the water has had time to seep through the roof, the job might cost a lot more than you might have budgeted for.
You should also look out for sections where there are shingles missing. If there are shingles missing, then it is extremely easy for water to seep through the roof. Again, this can cause some of the problems we have highlighted earlier.
It’s also important that you look out for shingles that are ‘loose.’
These loose shingles can also allow for water to get into the roof. But loose shingles can also represent a hazard in the sense that they can fall on you. If you live in a location that experiences high winds, this problem can be magnified even more.
2. The Roof Is Sagging
If there are sections of the roof that are ‘sagging’ you need to think about replacing your roof.
A sagging roof can be an extremely dangerous situation. That is because there is a chance the entire roof might collapse. This, of course, is a major safety concern. But if the roof collapses, it can also mean a lot of large expenses for the rest of the home, as there will be collateral damage.
Sagging generally occurs after sections of the roof have been exposed to water damage, for extended periods of time.
But it can also be caused by the use of improper building materials, of which were used during the construction of the roof. If the roof is not built the right way, sagging will happen a lot sooner than it ought to. This is especially the case in regions that experience a lot of rain and snow.
If you are going to have your roof replaced, make sure you are working with a professional company that will use quality materials when building your roof.
You also want to use a company that uses the proper building techniques, so that your roof is going to last a long time. In doing so, you will be able to prevent this issue from happening. At the very least you should be able to stop it from happening prematurely.
If you find a roofing company is providing you with a quote that seems too good to be true, there’s a chance it might be. The low quote might be possible because the company is using low-quality materials. They might also be using labor that does not have the skills needed to produce work of a high standard.
It also helps to hire a company that specializes in the kind of roof you need help with. For instance, if you are replacing a commercial roof, think about hiring a commercial roof contractor. They will know the best way to go about replacing your kind of roof.
3. There Are Issues in Your Attic
One of the key ways to identify if there is a problem with your roof is by taking a look at your attic.
If you find that there are signs of moisture in your attic, there is a chance your roof is not in a good condition. That is because there might be sections of your roof that are letting moisture to pass through. This is a problem because it means that there will eventually be damp problems within your home.
Aside from damaging your attic, these damp problems can lead to a number of health issues too. This is especially the case if the damp leads to a situation where there is also mold growing in your attic. If this is the case then you will need to get a specialist in to treat this mold. You will want to think about doing this after the roof has been replaced.
If you find damp in your attic, it is important that you are able to attribute the damp to your roof. Sometimes you might find you have a damp attic, even though the roof is in good condition.
If you find isolated sections of your attic, where there seems to be a collection water, it is generally a sign that your roof needs replacing. However, if the entire attic seems to be damp, you may just need to improve the ventilation levels of your attic.
4. Your Roof Is over 25 Years Old
You will generally find that a roof that is older than 25 years will need to be replaced. This is due to the general wear and tear that you will experience with a roof that is so old.
If you live in a region that experiences a lot of extreme weather, you might need to think about replacing your roof even sooner. If you find that your roof looks good and isn’t presenting you with any problems, you might still want to get it checked out.
It helps to find someone who can take a look at the structural integrity of your roof. They will be able to tell you how safe your roof is and whether it poses any problems.
5. There Is Moss Growing on the Shingles
If you notice that there is moss growing on the shingles, it can be a sign that your roof will potentially need to be replaced. Moss tends to grow on a roof if there are sections of the roof that collect water. As we’ve mentioned throughout this post, if there is water collecting on your roof it is a bad sign.
But it’s also worth mentioning that if moss is growing on your roof, the moss itself can cause problems. That is because the moss can become quite heavy. If it rains, the moss can collect a lot of water.
If the weather drops below 0, this water can freeze. The frozen water can cause the shingles on your roof to crack. This can create even more problems associated with water damage. That is because the cracks can allow even more water in.
Sometimes, you might have moss growing on your roof, even though it is in good condition. In situations like this, it helps to take steps to tackle the moss. You might want to hire someone who can ‘treat’ your roof so that the moss is removed and will no longer grow.
Though you might be tempted to tackle the moss yourself, it is better to hire an expert. That is because working on a roof can be dangerous. If you do not know what you are doing, it does not take much to experience a serious injury.
Do You Know How Often Should You Replace Your Roof?
A lot of people do not know how often should you replace your roof. Which makes sense, as it’s not always easy to identify a ‘bad roof.’
In this post, we’ve taken a look at 5 signs you need to look out for if you want to work out whether the time has come to replace your roof. You need to pay attention to the state of the shingles on your roof. You also want to look out for any signs of damp in the attic.
Moss is also a sign that your roof might need replacing. Sometimes, though, the moss can just be removed from your roof to prevent further damage. But if you want moss to be removed from your roof, make sure you hire an expert as doing this work on your own can be dangerous.
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