It’s easy to ignore the signs that your roof is aged and worn and, even more, that it’s time for your roof to be replaced. Roof replacement is definitely an expense that many of us don’t want to face at any time, costing as much as $20,000, but the importance of it should not be overlooked. Therefore, the warning signs should be looked out for at all times.
So, when considering the value of energy efficiency in your home, the safety of your family, and much more, the warning signs that your roof needs to be replaced should always be noticed. Some of these signs include the following:
- Simple age of your roof. It is important to keep track of the age of your roof, and depending on the type of roofing material you have, note when it should be replaced. Asphalt shingles can last about 20-50 years, metal roofs about 40-80 years, wood shakes and shingles about 25-30 years or up to 50, clay and concrete tile from 50-100 years, and slate roofs from 60-175 years. Keep the date of your roof’s installation on record and when it’s getting old, it’s time to call a local roofer for evaluation to see when it may be due for replacement or at least any necessary repairs.
- There may be exterior damage or even some saggy or droopy spots around your roof that could cause problems. These are definitely things that you can find with some visual inspections of your roof once every year or two on your own. Some of these may be areas that receive more direct sunlight than others or perhaps areas that receive more water that falls off of trees or other areas. That can wear hard on your roofing and lead to issues like leaking and other damage.
- Another area to inspect annually is the chimney flashing that seals the various penetrations around your roof from water runoffs. If it’s been a very rainy or wet year, these areas have dealt with a lot of water and may need to be resealed to help keep them from weakening and letting leaks into the house. If you are worried about any of these areas local roofers may be the experts to call.
- You may have some small plants growing on your roof. While this doesn’t automatically indicate the need for a roof replacement it could mean it’s time for a cleaning and inspection to check the value of your roofing materials and make sure if there is need for repair or replacement of any small pieces anywhere. There may just be areas that are building up too much water or moisture and could be better sealed to prevent future leaks.
These are only a few essential tips. While there are many different things to look for when considering the quality and safety of your roof, if you are ever concerned at all your local roofers are always the best experts when it comes to the weather in your region in relation to the risk it has on the roofs in your area. If you worry at any time about something you see on your roof, it is best to call a roofer in your area to have the area inspected and confirm whether there is a true issue or maybe just the need for a cleaning or sealing on your roof. Good luck!
