Your home is meant to keep you and your family safe, and to give you a sense of security and belonging. Nobody wants to feel like they belong out in the rain and cold, but that’s exactly how it’s going to feel if your roof is failing and springing leaks all over the house. If you have an old roof, and you’ve encountered problems with it in the past, it may be just about time for you to get a roof replacement for your home.
There are several warning signs you should watch out for if your roof is starting to age. And that’s the first question: how long do roofs last? If you have an asphalt shingle roof, you can expect its lifespan to be roughly 20 – 30 years, unless the manufacturer has specified greater longevity. On the other hand, clay and wood shake roofs can last 40-50 years (or more in some cases), and some kinds of metal roofs can last nearly 100 years! You’ll need to be familiar with what kind of roofing material you have so you know how long it’s supposed to last you.
If you need a replacement, you’ll also want to be familiar with the best types of roofing materials in Texas. An old roof is always going to need to be replaced at the end of its lifespan. Even if the roof seems to be in good condition, it’s worth getting it inspected and getting an estimate on a new roof. However, age isn’t the only thing to consider. Let’s take a look at some of the other signs that might mean you need to call our roofing company in North Richland Hills.
Damaged, Loose, or Missing Roofing Materials
One of the most clear signs that it’s time to get a roof replacement is obvious physical damage to the roofing materials themselves. Your shingle, shake, or slate roof is made of lots and lots of small pieces; as the roof takes on weathering and damage over time, these materials can crack, shatter, or completely detach. Small and isolated areas of your roof may be able to be repaired on their own with no harm done. However, if there is a pattern of damage all across your roof, it’s a good bet that your old roof is due for a replacement.
Curling Shingles
Cupping and curling shingles are a type of shingle damage often associated with incorrectly installed shingles, typically arising from poor roof layering, poor ventilation in the attic, or just plain poor workmanship. The edges of the shingles don’t adhere properly to the roof and begin to curl upwards. Curling shingles often mean that there’s been some sort of issue with the installation of your roof. If it’s related to the ventilation, sometimes the affected shingles can be simply replaced and the attic properly ventilated. Deeper problems, however, can mean a fresh start with a roof replacement.
Moss and Algae, and Growths
Growth on the roof can be a scary thing, but in most cases, it mostly on causes cosmetic unpleasantries that can be easily cleaned away. Mildew and algae will often cause black streaks and spots on the roof that can be unsightly, but they don’t cause any structural damage. Moss and mold, however, are a much more significant cause for concern. The presence of either can weaken the wooden materials in the roof deck below, and may call for serious repairs or a roof replacement. If you find masses of moss on your roof, do yourself a favor and schedule a roof inspection to see if there’s been any significant damage.
Sunbeams in the Attic
This is another one of the more obvious signs of roof damage, but it doesn’t always necessarily mean you need a roof replacement. If you’re seeing rays of sunshine in the attic under your old roof, it means you have a few holes that need repairing. Smaller openings can usually be patched to prevent any precipitation from getting into the home, but larger and more significant holes in the roof will often call for a roof replacement. This is another situation where you’ll want to call your friendly neighborhood roofing experts to check out the damage and get you a good estimate.
Gutter Grains
Your asphalt shingles, if you look closely, are covered all over their surface by tiny little granules that look like sand, giving them their rough texture and appearance. These grains actually serve a very important function, however: they help the shingles reflect the intense UV radiation from the sunlight off of the house. As your shingles age over a long period of time, they eventually begin to deteriorate, and finally rainfall will be strong enough to strip these grains from the shingle, causing them to run down and collect in the gutters below. This is one of the more surefire signs that your asphalt shingle roof is nearing the end of its expected lifespan. If you peer into your gutters and you see what looks like a buildup of sediment, then your shingles are starting to shed their protective outer coats. Get in touch with a roofing contractor to get an inspection and discuss your options.
Saggy Roofing
This is the most dire sign that your roof is in danger of failing, and that you need to get in touch with a roofer right away. If the roof is sagging down, it means something has weakened the core structure supporting the roof and it can no longer bear the load of your roofing materials. At this point, it’s only a matter of time before the roof begins to crumble. While you may not find yourself in peril right away, this is the kind of problem that gets more and more hazardous the longer you let it go. Don’t delay; schedule a roof repair today.
If you’ve observed any of these warning signs on your family’s roof, give us a call at Gotcha Covered Contracting today. We’ll give you a thorough inspection so you know exactly what’s going on with your roof, and a fair estimate so you know what kind of costs you can expect to face if you need to proceed with your roof replacement.
