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Signs You Need a New Roof
Signs You Need a New Roof
Owning a home is exciting, but some responsibilities come along with owning a home. Not only do bills need to be paid associated with the home, like a mortgage and utilities, but repairs and upkeep are necessary. There are always little jobs that need to be done around the house, but then there are those big-ticket repairs that eventually demand attention. One of those repairs is the roof. The roof protects from the outside and keeps your home dry. However, they are also constantly being subjected to the weather, regardless of if it is cold, wet, hot, or just a sunny day. In addition to damage, the homeowner should know how many years a roof lasts. So, here are Warning Signs You Need a New Roof.
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How To Tell You Need a New Roof
Missing or damaged shingles
If the homeowner notices that there are missing or damaged shingles, it might be time to get a professional to evaluate the roof. They will be able to give you a roof repair cost and the homeowner can compare this against the cost of a new roof. Sometimes, the shingles can be fixed or replaced, if the homeowner has some extra shingles (or they can be ordered). Addressing missing or damaged shingles is important to prevent further damage. If the homeowner ignores obvious signs of roof damage, they may be looking at paying for a new roof as opposed to just getting a roof repair.
Leaks
When a homeowner finds a leak, it is time to inspect the roof. Leaks can show up anywhere in the home. The homeowner might find a leak in the ceiling in the middle of the room. Or, a leak can show up through windows or doors. Whatever the case, if there is a leak, it will certainly get worse if the source is not identified and fixed. If there are multiple leaks throughout the house, the roof might need to be replaced. Furthermore, if the roof plywood is worn at the ends, it can cause damage to the gutters.
If the gutters have torn from the roof, it can cause leaking as well. It is important to get the leak investigated by a professional roofer. Make sure to get multiple assessments because it is important to know the range in price of a repair or replacement. Or, you might even need new gutters or replacements.
Age
Most roofs last approximately 25 years and the homeowner should understand how long does a roof last. A homeowner should be cognizant of the age of their roof. As the roof approaches its expiration, it should be evaluated. From the ground, it might look like everything is good with the roof. However, upon closer inspection, the roof might be showing signs of wear.
The roofer will be able to answer your questions, “Do I have roof damage”? This answer can help the homeowner make an educated decision. Furthermore, homeowners should get an estimate from multiple roofing companies. It is important to make sure they are giving an accurate assessment and a corresponding price.
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Warning Signs You Need a New Roof
Moss, algae, or granules
A home may suffer from moss and algae. While these are not damaging to the roof, the homeowner might not like the way the home looks. If this happens, the homeowner should get an assessment by a professional. In this case, they should get a price for a new roof from a roofer and another price to have someone wash the roof and remove the algae. However, depending on how old the roof is, cleaning it might not be a viable option. Washing it could cause damage that would necessitate replacing part, if not all, of the roof.
The homeowner needs to take great care when having it washed. Perhaps the homeowner might get an assessment from a roofer before having the roof washed. The last thing they want to do is cause damage where there is not any. Because the worst thing about algae and moss is the aesthetic of it, not any damaging nature. A telltale sign that the roof might need replacing is if the granules from the shingles start showing up in the gutters or downspouts. This is a problem because the granules protect the shingles. When they are stripped off, the shingles start to bake. This means that the roof is about halfway through its lifespan. This is a reason that the homeowner might consider a whole new roof, instead of a repair.
Storm damage
After a storm, an inspection of the roof should be done. Storms can cause a lot of roof damage. Depending on the storm, the damage could be catastrophic. Storms can tear parts of the roof or even the whole roof of a home. They can lift shingles and allow water to penetrate the home, causing both roof damage and damage inside the home. If there appears to be damage, a professional should be brought in to do an inspection. This way, the homeowner can find out if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. They will also find out how much a new roof costs, so they can potentially submit the repairs under their homeowner’s policy. Additionally, the homeowner might need additional professionals to assess damage inside the home.
Sagging
If the homeowner notices a sagging in the roof, it is a serious issue. It means that there is a structural issue that needs to be addressed. It is important to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. What starts as a small problem can easily turn into a large problem that can be very expensive to fix. The homeowner needs to find a professional to assess the roof and any structural defects that are causing the sagging.
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Warning Signs You Need a New Roof
So, when asking, “Do I need a new roof”, you need to consider all these situations and which ones apply to your roof. Additionally, doing research will provide information on different companies that will be able to address the roof problems. Furthermore, the companies can provide the cost of a new roof. It is important to know that if the roof only has one layer of shingles, they do not need to be removed. Instead, a second layer of shingles can be put on the house and will serve as the new roof. This can only happen if there is no damage to the plywood underneath the shingles.
Many problems can happen to a roof. Some things lead to replacing the roof or putting a second layer of shingles. Other problems can be fixed by repairing the roof. If the homeowner ignores the problems, what might have been a small problem can lead to a larger problem. The bigger the problem, the more damage it is going to cause, and the more it is going to cost. We hope that you find this Warning Signs You Need a New Roof post valuable. Good luck!
