Knowing When It’s Time To Replace Your Roof | Peter Palivos

Countless different tasks go into maintaining a home. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea and even easier to overlook critical elements year after year.

Homeowners tend not to think of the roof of their house. It’s an out of sight, out of mind thing. However, homeowners should know these signs that a new roof is necessary.

Look Inside First

A leaky roof might not be visible from just looking at the shingles. Damage can spread, and the homeowner might not see it. Go into the attic to check for water damage from rain and winter ice dams. Track the water stains to their point of origin. Additionally, make sure there’s no daylight coming through the roof into the attic. These signs mean you need a new roof.

Rot

Water damage causes the roof deck to rot as well as the timbers over the attic. Homeowners seeing signs of wood rot, mold, and mildew should call in the pros. A new roof will be in order before the rotted wood allows water to infiltrate the rest of the house.

Moss

Moss looks pretty in a garden, but roofs suffer moisture trapped beneath moss on a roof. This means rotted wood requiring a new roof. Homeowners spotting moss on their shingles should contact a professional roofer immediately.

Shingles

The life of a shingle roof is around twenty to twenty-five years. Homeowners perusing their shingles should not see missing, curled, cracked, or buckling shingles. Damaged or missing shingles aren’t protecting the wooden roof deck or the timbers beneath from water damages. If you see these things, call in a professional roofer immediately.

Age

Homeowners should consult their homeownership papers for the age of their roof. Roofs well within a twenty-year window might only require repairs. Those roofs nearing their expiration date, so to speak, need a professional roofer for roof replacement.

Flashing

Flashing seals the seams between the roof and appendages such as chimneys, skylights, and vents. Flashing that has come loose, or is otherwise damaged, will need to be repaired or replaced. Roof flashing is generally made of roof cement or tar. Newer products like metal flashing protect the seams and the roof much better. Homeowners are encouraged to call a roofing professional for flashing replacement.

Conclusion

Homeowners seeing signs that their roof needs replacing shouldn’t panic. They should simply call in the roof experts before further damages to the house can occur. Then they’ll be good to go for another 20 years.

Article originally published on PeterPalivos.com