Your house’s roof keeps your family safe and dry. A vital component of any home, a roof keeps out the rain, hail, heavy winds and provides a barrier to the sun. It is also necessary for maintaining the structural integrity of your home and protecting the walls, floors, and other areas of your house.
However, roofs sometimes need replacing, and the following are four reasons you may need a new one.
Look Out for These Symptoms
Your home’s roof is exposed to all of nature’s elements, and it takes a lot of abuse. Eventually, parts of the roof will wear out, and you need to consider the following when determining whether your roof needs to be replaced:
Exterior damage – Obviously, a strong storm can damage your roof with wind and hail, and sometimes, that will require immediate roof replacement. But roofs also experience damage due to long-term exposure to the elements. The following are things you need to look out for to determine whether it’s time to replace your roof:
Curled, buckled, or cracked shingles or tiles
Missing shingles or tiles
Cracks in the roofing material
Heavy rust or corrosion of metal
Dented and worn pieces
If you can see damage in one area of your roof from the ground, chances are you have damage elsewhere, and you need to get a full inspection.
Drooping or sagging – A roof that is sagging or drooping may be showing clear signs of damaged supports and decking. If the roof feels spongy when you walk on it, this is another danger sign.
Damage to the decking and joists can come from moisture, rodents, and other factors, and it can lead to catastrophic structural issues. If you see or experience any of these issues, you need to get your roof checked out right away.
Granules or particles – Asphalt shingles are made of little ceramic granules embedded in a tough, fibrous backing. Over time, these granules break down or release from the backing.
If you see a lot of granules or shingle dust in your gutters or on the ground under your eaves, it may be that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
Leaks and holes – Along with the things you can see on the outside, you may notice signs inside your home that you need a new roof. The roof is supposed to keep the elements from entering your home, and if you notice any of the following, it’s almost a sure sign there’s a leak in the roof somewhere:
Water stains on the ceiling
Water dripping inside during a rain shower
Cracking, peeling, or bubbling in the ceiling paint
Cracks or holes that allow daylight to come through
Consider Your Roof’s Age
In addition to these four signs, another strong indicator that you need a new roof is your roof’s age. Like most other components in a house, such as the furnace and air conditioning, roofs wear down and need replacing after a certain time.
All roof coverings have a lifespan, but depending on the material, some roofs last longer than others. Here is a list of expected lifespans of the most common roofing materials, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors:
Asphalt shingles – 20 to 30 years
Metal and copper – 40 to 80 years
Clay and concrete – 100+ years
Slate – 60 to 150 years
Although you may not notice any obvious signs of roof damage, and your roof doesn’t seem to be leaking, you should still consider the age of your roof and start making plans for replacement if it’s nearing the end of its projected lifespan.
Don’t wait for problems to appear before taking action. Simply replacing your shingles proactively, for instance, is far cheaper and easier than having to repair water damage or other structural issues caused by prolonged exposure to the elements.
Contact Elite Roofing LLC for Help
If you are seeing obvious signs of damage to your roof, or if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, get a full inspection of your roof from a certified roofing professional as soon as possible.
For over a decade Elite Roofing LLC has helped thousands of residential and commercial property owners across Texas with their roofing projects. We have received consistent recognition as one of the top roofing companies in the country, and we offer emergency repairs as well as FREE full inspections and roof replacement. We’re here for you when you need us, and you can request an inspection and quote by calling us at (713) 804-7663.
