If you are a homeowner, it is important to know when it is time to replace your roof. Sometimes your roof only needs maintenance; however, there are other times when you are probably in need of a complete roof replacement.
There are many factors that determine the right time to replace your roof. Whether a roof needs to be totally replaced or can be fixed may be hard for a layperson to assess. Replacing a roof can be costly, but failing to see an urgent problem can cause even more long-term damage.
Are you considering fixing or replacing your roof? In that case, there are many things to consider, such as the type of material you want to use, whether you need any permits, and if you want to add underlayment or other features. Keep reading to discover how to know when it is time to replace your roof!
When Should You Replace Your Roof?
If you have begun to notice wear and tear on your roof, it may be time to consider making some repairs or doing a total replacement. However, how will you know when it is time to replace your roof?
For starters, the dry, warmer months are better for inspecting your roof or attempting to perform maintenance, as you can work more safely. It’s important to take advantage when you can safely inspect your roof, as you want to catch issues before they become major problems. Some possible things to look out for when inspecting your roof are:
- Debris such as moss, leaves, or branches built up on your roof
- Shingles that are curling, damaged, or missing
- Water damage or areas that are excessively wet
- Inside of the attic for any leaks or obvious damage
- At least once every year, particularly after storms
You’ll want to consider replacing your roof every 20 years, although metal roofs last longer. Since the roof is one of the biggest investments you will make in your home, it is important to thoroughly consider all of your options before getting started.
The Importance of Replacing Your Roof
You should regularly inspect your roof so you can properly identify when it is time to replace it. Replacing your roof proactively can have great long-term benefits:
- Prevent costly and dangerous accidents before they happen
- Improve the look of your house and possibly the value of your home
- Reduce maintenance costs for your new roof versus maintaining an old one
You might also want to consider re-roofing your house after a major storm. Storms can easily cause damage to your roof, slight or major, and that damage will only get worse with time and additional inclement weather.
Re-roofing your house is a major undertaking, but the long-term benefits make it an important consideration for every responsible homeowner. Knowing when it’s time to replace your roof and getting it done promptly can prepare your house for many coming seasons for years to come.
Signs Indicating The Need To Replace Your Roof
By now, you’re likely in the habit of inspecting your roof at least once a year for damage. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your roof? Some things to check for are:
- Water damage, particularly in your attic
- Curling, damage, or missing shingles
- Excessive moss or algae, which could carry mold
- Exterior damage from wildlife, falling branches, and storms
- Places where gaps have opened or nails are bulging
These are only a few things to check for when considering replacing your roof. You should also consider how old the roof is – a good rule of thumb is you should consider replacing the roof on your house about every 20 years.
Keep in mind that doing work on your roof can be dangerous. Therefore, you should always work carefully, try to avoid inspecting your roof in excessive heat or wind, and avoid working on your roof whenever it’s raining.
When in doubt, always consider contacting a professional, as your roof is arguably the most important part of your house!
What Could Happen if You Don’t Replace Your Roof on Time?
Your roof protects you from many hazards, so it makes sense many things can go wrong if you don’t replace your roof in time. Some of these things are hard to spot, and others are visible immediately.
Less-obvious dangers from not having a well-maintained roof include water damage and other leaks. A leak in your attic can quickly become a major problem and cause mold and other bacteria buildup. Mold can also grow on excessive moss and algae on the exterior of your roof.
These less-obvious dangers can cause major problems down the line. Over time, water damage can damage your house’s structural stability, increasing the risk of a potential collapse or other damage. In addition, allowing small problems to worsen will inevitably lead to increased maintenance costs in the long term.
If you don’t act when it is time to replace your roof, you can cause major problems, so it is important to stay vigilant.
Carrying Out Proper Inspection on Your Home Roof
Now that you know about the options you have when it comes to replacing or fixing your roof, you may be considering doing these repairs yourself. While this can seem like a great idea at first and may save you money upfront, it is important to know what you are looking for, whether you can perform maintenance yourself, or if it is time to replace your roof altogether.
Gutters
An obvious place to begin inspecting your roof is the gutters. Problems here are easier to spot and get out ahead of. This also allows you to get a close look at the condition of the roof’s underlayment if there is any.
Shingles
Replacing shingles is probably the best thing to consider when it comes to working on your own roof. When it comes to just a couple of shingles that may be damaged, it is easy to fix them up yourself. Replacing shingles only involves removing the nails that hold the shingle in place and breaking the seal. After that, you just have to replace the shingle with a fresh one, making it a relatively easy fix.
Flashing
Fixing the flashing is also relatively straightforward. For example, if you live in a home with a chimney, it has flashing, which is a thin metal material that directs water away from the entries of your house. If you are inspecting your shingles, consider checking on the flashing to see if there are leaks. If there are leaks, then you can fix them simply with caulk.
Ensuring a Successful Roof Replacement
Hiring a professional contractor is the best choice when it comes time to replace your roof. However, it is still important to know what the steps are ahead of time so that you know what to expect before your contractors get started.
Step 1
Before beginning the project, investing in a good roofing contractor is important. This will ensure that the project is done well, and the job is not taken lightly. Your contractor should have skills and experience. There are a couple of key features each roofing contractor should have:
- Reviews: Your roofing contractor should have good reviews. While they can still be beginning, if you are looking for a great job, finding a roofing contractor who you know has done a good job on other projects is important. You can find their reviews by searching for them online and reading what previous clients have written.
- Communication: Clear communication is key with any professional. However, when it comes to your home, you want those working on it to be open and honest. A roof replacement can be a long and difficult process, meaning clear communication is key. They should be able to answer all your questions and communicate with you throughout the replacement.
- Professionalism: Some companies are more professional than others. When hiring a contractor, make sure they can show you the licensing or insurance requirements they have for liability purposes.
Step 2
The next step in your roofing process is to choose the material you want your roof to be replaced with. There are several basic materials for you to choose from. There are also several things to consider while choosing your materials. The first is to make sure that the material will work well with the climate you are in. Also, think about how the material will work with the rest of your home.
Here are some of the most common materials:
- Shingles: These are affordable options that are super easy to find. However, for some homes, they are not visually appealing. However, they are the most common option for roofs.
- Wood Shakes: These are similar to general shingles, although they tend to have a more polished look. They do cost more, but they are incredibly durable. However, they are not great for areas that are prone to fires.
- Metal: This has been an increasingly popular roofing material. It is very durable and also happens to be fireproof. However, the cost for installation tends to be rather high.
- Slate: This is an option that is highly appealing for aesthetics. However, it is also particularly costly and tricky to repair.
Step 3
Once you have chosen your roofing material, it is time to remove the old roof. The contractor will remove old shingles, and new roofing materials are laid down. The new material is typically placed on this new base as opposed to being placed over the old material.
Removing old roofing may sound simple, but it requires a particular amount of power and materials. Your roofing contractors may need to bring in a lot of materials before installation just to remove the old roof parts.
Step 4
After the old roofing is gone, it is time to begin the installation of the new roofing materials. There are different time frames when it comes to roofing installation. Different contractors will not complete all projects in the same amount of time. Some factors that may affect time include the size of your roof, the team of contractors, and the type of roofing material being installed.
Step 5
Once the roof is installed, the team of installers will do one final cleanup and final inspection of the roof to ensure it is clean and clear. They will clear all leftover debris from your property, and they will make sure that no mistakes were made that could compromise the project.
What’s Next?
Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into roofing repairs or replacements, as well as the materials and cost, you also need to know when it is time to replace your roof. If you have noticed any roof damage, such as bends, cracks, or materials out of place, you should consider checking them out more closely. In addition, if your home has experienced any internal water damage or leaking, it may be due to issues with the roof.
If either of these issues is occurring, it may be time to consider replacing your roof. At this point, it is time to begin the search for the best roofing contractor in your area. Whether you are going through a roof replacement or just looking for an assessment, a roofing contractor is where you need to begin. Not only can they give you an estimate of cost, but they can also tell you what may be wrong with your roof.
If you are looking to begin your roof replacement, consider clicking here to get more information about roofing contractors!
