The roof is one of your home’s largest elements. It’s therefore also one of the most expensive parts of your home. That said, you need to keep it in good shape by performing regular maintenance to it. All the same, even the roof that has the best care taken of it will need replacement at some point because every roof has an expiry date. If you’re having a hard time telling whether you need to repair or replace your roof, there are a few signs that you can use to help you make the right decision. Read on to see 10 reasons that you ought to get expert roof replacement done rather than simply repairing it.
1. There’s Algae Growing on Your Roof
Algae thrive in moist, humid conditions, and their spores are typically dispersed into the air so that they can find a favorable place to grow. This means that if there’s algae growing on your roof, it’s a sign that your roof has more humidity than it should realistically have. The excessive humidity may be a result of surface damage or age of the roof, and while it’s possible to clean it off if there’s only a patch or two, more algae means that there’s excessive damage. The most logical solution for this is to do a roof replacement so that you take care of the issue for good.
You need to look into expert roof replacement if there’s a lot of algae on the roof because failure to do this may lead to damage to other parts of your house. For instance, if the roof allows a lot of water to leak through it and reach deeper into your home, you may end up having to look into professional garage door repair and other projects like these. The more algae grow on top of your roof, the more pressure it may exert on the roof tiles. As a result, the roof tiles may be forced apart, allowing a lot more water to end up inside your house and lead to even more damage.
2. The Roof Is at the end of Its Lifespan
As mentioned, no roof is immortal, so if yours has served your home for its set lifespan, it’s important that you talk to local roofing contractors about a replacement. If you can find a copy of the roof’s warranty or other details of its installation, then you’ll know exactly how old your roof is. This will be the best way for you to tell whether you need a roof replacement done without any doubts. If you can’t find any of these documents and simply have no idea about how old the roof might be, call local roofing contractors to inspect it. Depending on the status of the roof, they’ll know the right steps to take.
If your roof has already lived out its lifespan, hesitating to get expert roof replacement done is simply going to place your property and family at risk of experiencing a roof failure. This can lead to other issues that will bring about a number of additional expenses for you to deal with. Avoid this scenario by looking for a roofing material that meets your needs and getting it installed correctly as soon as possible.
3. You Want to Sell Your Home
Another reason why you may need to seek the services of residential roofing experts is if you want to sell your home. The roof is one of the main elements that people looking for a home to buy will be interested in. This is because they know how expensive and intensive a roof repair can be. If you put your home on the market with a roof that looks less than stellar, you can be sure that it will attract low-price quotes. Most buyers don’t want to take the risk of buying a home at a premium price only to have to pay for a roof replacement a short time later.
That said, expert roof replacement is one of the projects that offers the best return on investment. This is especially the case if the roof is of good material and has been installed correctly. Letting potential home buyers know how recently the roof has been replaced can win them over a lot faster than most other incentives you could think of. They’ll be willing to pay you an amount that will cover and possibly surpass the cost of the expert roof replacement you’ve done.
4. Your Roof Needs Increasingly Frequent Repairs
If you seem to be calling a residential roofer every other week for repairs that range in seriousness from minor to major, then it’s a good idea for you to consider expert roof replacement. This is going to put an end to your woes, and it might end up being more affordable in terms of both finances and peace of mind. The average roof may not need an expert’s intervention more than once every few months, especially if the climate where it’s been installed is not extreme. As such, talk to the next roofer that you hire to inspect the roof thoroughly.
They might discover that there’s an issue beneath the surface that’s causing the recurrent roofing issues. Most of the time, if damage has reached the internal structure of your roof, your best bet is to do a complete overhaul of the roof. Another problem that may be causing the issues may be a number of small damages on various levels of your roof. These may be as a result of natural wear and tear, or improper installation of the roof. Whatever the case is, it’s best that you consult with a professional or two and follow their advice.
5. The Roof Line Is Sagging
You might have to get expert roof replacement services for your roof if its line is visibly sagging. The top of a roof that’s in good shape should follow the ridge in a straight line. Any sagging or saddlebacks in the middle may point to structural damage to the roof. As mentioned, structural damage to the roof is not to be taken lightly since it may lead to sudden failure of the roof.
Some of the issues that may lead to a sagged roof line are exposure to frequent moisture, incorrect installation, use of faulty roofing materials, and excessive weight on the roof which is caused by ice and snow. Whatever the case is, work with a good roofer to learn how much weight your roof can handle. Come up with measures to ensure that this is adhered to, including the necessary maintenance that needs to be done. With professional installation, you can safeguard the roof from damage shortly after it’s been installed.
6. There Are Many Damaged or Missing Shingles
If your roof is made of shingles or tiles, and you realize that many of them are either damaged or completely missing, this should motivate you to replace the roof. An inspection by a professional to check the state of the remaining tiles may inform you of the best call to make. Since the tiles and shingles prevent excessive damage from reaching deep into your roofing structure, a roof with many of them missing is likely to be very undermined and likely to collapse.
Since damaged and missing shingles negatively impact your roof’s ability to shed water, it’s best that you seek expert roof replacement as soon as possible. If a large number of the roof tiles are missing or damaged, there’s a good chance that the rest are also on their way out. Replacing the ones that are damaged or missing may not do much to prevent the deterioration of the roof.
7. You Can See Sunlight Through the Roof Boards
If you can see sunlight coming into your attic when you get into the space, this points to damage to the roof board. You can make the most accurate assessment by going up into the attic at sunset since it will be dark enough inside the attic. Holes and cracks in your roof should have you call a professional to do an inspection as soon as possible. If the damage is severe enough, then they’ll advise you to get an expert roof replacement done.
This is one of the easiest roofing issues for you to stay on top of without having to call a professional. You simply have to go into the attic regularly and look up at the roof. Keep in mind that this damage may not be easy to spot by looking at the roof from the outside. It may also not be accompanied by most of the other signs that call for the intervention of a roofing expert.
8. Your Home’s Energy Efficiency Has Deteriorated
A good roof helps secure your home and seal in the treated air, keeping your energy bills reasonable over time. If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are on an upward climb and you can’t think of any other possible reason for this, turn to the roof. Call a professional to inspect the roof and check for gaps and spaces that may lead to leakage of air from your home. These may cause the interior of your home to get colder, forcing you to turn your air conditioner higher and keep it running for longer to keep your home comfortable.
In this case, if the roof is damaged enough to cause considerable temperature reduction indoors, the best solution is typically to replace it. In this case, you should think about installing a roof that’s energy-efficient, such as a metal roof. Talk to a good metal roof contractor in your area to find out whether a metal roof would be a good fit for your home. You can also talk to a local solar shingles contractor and learn about the benefits of this roofing material. This way, you can choose a roof that will help make your home more sustainable, lowering your energy bills in the process.
9. There’s Severe Water Damage to the Roof
If there has recently been a serious storm or other event in your area that might have weakened the roof, check for water damage. If you find any, it’s a good idea to consider expert roof replacement. This can save you a number of other issues that your home will be open to when the roof is in a compromised state. For instance, you may end up with more than a broken garage door spring if the water getting through your roof reaches your home’s beam and the elements that it supports. If your roof has lost its ability to secure your home against water, then it’s crucial that you replace it as soon as possible.
Some of the signs that your home is experiencing water damage include finding water inside your property and seeing dark streaks or other leaks in the attic. You may also spot circular stains on the ceiling or the walls, which indicate that water has gained access. You might even actually hear water dripping inside your home’s walls and see flat surfaces start to blister and bubble. Call a roofer as soon as you notice any of these so that you can curtail that damage and replace your roof.
10. You’re Working on a Major Remodel
Finally, if you’re making a major renovation to your home, it may be a good idea to pair it with an expert roof replacement. For instance, if you’re remodeling or extending your garage, you’ll need to not just call local garage door repair services, but also roof installation services. This way, you’re going to get the job finalized and can forget about it. While it may be possible to extend the roof in certain cases, this may not always be a possibility.
When you get a new roof installed over the additional space you’ve created in your home, you’ll avoid the issues that come about as a result of improper roof installation. That’s because it’s easier to do a thorough job by replacing than by patching up. You’re also going to make the space considerably more valuable by doing this.
If you notice any of these issues with your roof, it’s important that you engage a professional immediately. If you don’t know any, you can search online using a term like ‘roofer near me‘ and take a look at the results. Hire the most qualified professional that you can find so that you get the best results from the process.