- By Richard Turner
- In Remodel
Is it Time to Replace My Roof?
Time flies, and before you know it, you’ll have lived in your house for a decade or two or three. If you want to remain comfortable in your home, proper maintenance is important – especially when it comes to your roof. We want to ensure you’re taking the best care of the roof over your head, so here are some things you should be keeping in mind:
Age
If your roof is over 20 years old, there’s a good chance it needs to be replaced. Some things will influence this, such as past roofing and ventilation, but most experts will say a common roof lasts about 20-25 years.
Shingles
Paying attention to the shingles is one of the best ways to monitor the condition of your roof, and there are a number of ways to determine if it’s time for a replacement.
- Buckled, curling, cracked, or missing shingles indicate weakness and wear.
- Keep an eye on roof valleys. If the shingles are missing or falling apart, this can cause big problems. Once it rains or snows, your roof will start to leak.
- Check your gutters for excessive amounts of shingle granules, which are meant to provide a protective covering to the shingle. Granule loss is a sign of wearing and can cause bald spots on your roof.
- Be sure to survey the condition of your shingles after storms roll through – you don’t want to deal with potential water leaks due to a storm-damaged roof.
Check Your Roof Boards
If you’re walking on your roof and notice a sponge-like bounce, it needs to be replaced. Moisture has damaged the roof boards – you might also notice (if you have an accessible attic) that light seeps in through your roof.
Algae and Moss
Algae growth is most common in humid environments, and it will appear as dark staining across your roof. Not only is it an eyesore, but it also damages the shingles. Moss will do the same thing. It grows on roofs which aren’t exposed to a lot of sunlight, and it can potentially strip your shingles of their protective covering.
Above all, give your roof the attention it deserves. If it looks shabby and worn out, don’t ignore it. Not taking care of these problems while they’re still in their early stages will just lead to worse problems later on, like water damage, mold, and plenty of other safety concerns. You don’t want that, your bank account doesn’t want that, and we’re sure your family won’t either.
It feels good to maintain a nice-looking, reliable house, and it’ll save you money in the long run, so be sure to make roof maintenance a part of your routine!
