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How Can I Check to See If I Need a New Roof

At some point in life, your roof will need a replacement. Many homeowners often wait until they see water oozing from the ceiling to call a roofing contractor. While the thumb rule of a high-quality roof lifespan is 30 years, some structures may deteriorate before this period. Factors that may shorten your roof’s lifespan include harsh weather conditions like rain, intense heat, strong winds, and tornados.

Timely replacement can save you time and money. But how do you tell if you need a new roof? What are some of the earliest signs to watch out for? Here is everything you need to know about checking to see if you need a roof replacement.

Do the Brittle Test

The easiest way of telling whether you need a roof replacement is by doing the brittle test. Raise the flap and bend it towards the upper surface, then lay it back. If the roof snaps, you need a replacement as soon as possible. This roof fails the brittle test, and it signals more problems up there.

If the roof doesn’t snap, regular maintenance and repair could still push its lifespan. Even so, you might still need replacement even if the roof doesn’t show any signs of serious damages, especially if you reside in Texas State. For instance, 30 year-architectural dimensional shingles last for about 15 to 20 years. The varying expansion and contraction rates in Texas cause the roof to lose its elasticity.

In the case of a metal roof, this test signals an upcoming replacement. Fasten the loose surfaces and start saving for another roof.

Do You Need a Flat Roof?

What do you do if your flat roof is signaling signs of extensive damage? You can watch out for hiked energy bills and how the roof drains rainwater. After raining, all water on the roof should drain or evaporate within two days. If this fails to happen, then your roofing system needs some pitching.

Get in touch with your trusted roofing contractor who understands how to install a tapered ISO system. Some experts can also recommend various types of tapering systems. Either way, installing a new tapering system under a flat roof allows the trapped water to shed itself in a couple of days. This move will prolong your roofing structure’s lifespan.

You can do a simple DIY for modified vitamin Georgetown Down. It comes with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, but you can start noticing damages after a decade. You can tahj down any modified roof and leave it for at least six months for aeration. During this period, the roof expunges all the gas and chemicals used during modification. Afterward, coat it with a Karnik, Karnac, or AK Karnac coating and enjoy your modified roof.

Aging Roof

Most roofing materials are durable and of high-quality to withstand the test of time and harsh weather conditions. However, these materials wear off and rot if they exhaust their lifespan. Some of the factors that determine how quickly your roof ages include the quality of installation, types of materials, and maintenance.

What’s the average lifespan of an ordinary roof? With proper care and maintenance, high-quality roofing materials can last up to 30 years. If you continue using your roof past this period, you’ll be running the risk of experiencing more severe damages. An aged roof needs a replacement.

Watch Out for Mold and Moss

Mold and Moss thrive in a moist environment. Due to wear or harsh weather conditions, your tiles’ coating may peel off, exposing the surface to rainwater. Some tile materials like clay will absorb water and remain moist even during sunny days. In that case, mold patches and moss may start to develop. A larger infestation signals a deteriorating roof that needs replacement.

A roof infested with mold and moss is dangerous. Besides triggering allergic reactions by polluting the air, it can reduce the tiles' cohesive forces, causing them to spread apart. Before long, water will start sipping through the gaps and cause damages to your walls and furniture.

Sagging Roof

A sagging roof is dangerous as it can easily collapse on the house structure if undetected in time. Your roof can sag due to the accumulation of heavy debris. During winters, accumulated ice and snow can also cause the roof to sag. Other factors that may make the roof structures bend unwillingly include poor installation, faulty roofing materials, and excess moisture buildup beneath the roof structure.

It is essential to note that a sagging roof signals serious structural damage and needs a replacement. You can prevent your roof from sagging by knowing its weight limit. That way, you can always clear debris, ice, and snow before they overwhelm its strength.

Debris Buildup in the Gutter

Besides tree leaves and branches, the rotten roofing materials can also accumulate in the gutter as debris. Watch out for sand granules that make up the topcoat of the roof. Sand granules protect tiles from heavy rain and direct solar intensity. If they end up in the gutter, it is a sign that your roof is outliving its lifespan. Hence, you need a new one.

Other roofing materials that may end up at the gutter when worn out include asphalt shingles. Your roof coating may wear out due to harsh weather conditions and long-term usage. However, don’t climb up on a roof when inspecting debris in the gutter. Instead, use a tall ladder because you can easily fall from an old or damaged roof.

Damaged Flashing

If your roof structure features protruding structures like vents and chimneys, you have flashings installed in place. Flashings prevent rainwater from running into the roof through the openings by averting its path. Most flashings have a lightweight aluminum or galvanized steel construction to prevent rusting.

You can notice damaged flashing in many ways. If water streams through the vents and chimneys, then the caulking material is out of shape and cannot hold water runoff. It can result from oxidation or other harsh weather conditions that cause the flashing to rot or fall off. Prevalent signs of loose flashings include water stains in walls and the ceiling, rotten wood, and mildew growth. If you experience these signs, you need a roof replacement.

Loose Roofing Tiles

How often do you hire contractors to do a professional inspection on your roof? In the course of routine inspections, you may learn that you either have loose or missing tiles. You can fix a few missing or loose tiles by repairing them. However, if the number goes up, you need another roof as soon as possible. Loose tiles pose a danger and may all end up crashing into the ceiling, especially in strong winds.

Rays of Light through the Roof

You can know whether your roof needs a repair or replacement by watching out for light rays from the top into the upper rooms. Switch off the lights during sunset or sunrise and make your observations. Make this practice a habit every three months. If you notice some light, then you have holes or cracks on the roof.

Contact a professional roof contractor to discern whether the damage requires some repair patches or new roof Austin installation. However, if the lights persist even after repair, you only have the latter option as it signals an old roof.

Water Damage

Prevalent signs of water damage like ice dams in the attic and stained walls either signal a roof repair or replacement. It is crucial to note that even the ceiling's smallest watermarks may signal a severe problem in the roof. Once you notice these signs, call a roofing contractor for a professional inspection. If the signs persist even after a successful repair, it’s time to have a new roof Austin installation.

Loose or Missing Shingles

Lastly, you can tell if you need a roof replacement by checking the shingles. Missing or loose shingles are a sign that your roof is aging or badly damaged. Some of the factors that may affect shingle lifespan include heavy rain, wind, and hails storms. Your shingles can also loosen due to accumulated debris such as falling trees, ice, or snow.

Other factors include poor maintenance, such as walking up on a roof. Missing shingles can result in expensive water damages. Contact your roofing contractor once you notice this sign to mitigate the risk of losing your property to weather damage.

The Bottom Line

If you see any of the above signs, it might be time to start saving for a new roof. If your roof is as old as your neighbors’ and they’re replacing theirs, you also need to follow suit. Replacing a roof comes with many benefits, like improving the aesthetic looks of your home. You also get to sleep comfortably knowing that your loved ones and valuables are safe from weather damage. Get in touch with a reputable contractor who has access to various roofing materials at wholesale price. That way, the budget can always be flexible.

Why We're the Right Team for Your Roofing Job

We've always believed that good roofers don't cut corners but rather add them. Our commitment to honesty, superb customer service and unimpeachable workmanship are the keys to our long-running success. Backed by our $1 million insurance coverage, there aren't many projects our loyal team of experienced roofers can't tackle. When you hire us to roof your home, we will treat you like you are family.