blog image

6 Signs That You Might Need to Replace Your Roof

The value of a reliable, well-installed roof cannot be overstated. A roof protects you and your loved ones from the world outside, helps to keep you warm at night, and protects you from snow and rain. Regular roof inspections are vital for recognizing signs of failure early on. If you notice roof problems early and take action immediately, you may avoid costly repairs in the future. Our roofers in Longwood offer these signs that it is time to get a new roof: Leaks. One of the most obvious signs that your roof needs to be replaced is roof leaks. Finding leaks in a roof requires you to visit your attic regularly, especially after rainfall, and look for any signs of water intrusion. Your home may not require a complete roof replacement if leaks are confined to a specific area of the roof. However, you should not wait to call a roofing professional to inspect your roof if you have noticed a leak. Your roof may require extensive and costly repairs if you put off repairs until a problem becomes more severe. Professional roofers often provide affordable roof inspections to give you peace of mind in knowing your roof is doing its job. Cracks. Wind damage is the number one cause of cracked shingles. Replacing damaged shingles is the best solution if roof cracks are limited to a small area, but roof replacement is necessary if cracks are found randomly across the whole area of your roof. It is vital to replace a roof within three to five years of finding widespread shingle cracks. Looking up at your roof with the lights off from your attic can help you discover any cracks in your roofing. You should contract contact a roofing professional as soon as possible if you notice light coming in through the attic because it means there are cracks and holes in your roof. A roofing professional may find that they can fix your roof with minor repairs, but often complete replacement is necessary. Signs of growth. The growth of mold and mildew on your ceiling or walls could be a sign of a leaking roof, a plumbing problem, or condensation issues. Before replacing your roof, use the process of elimination to make sure that your house is ventilated adequately, your insulation is dry, and your bathroom fixtures and plumbing lines aren’t leaking. Repairs for problems like these are much less costly than replacing a roof. Growth on your roof can include moss, mold, mildew, and algae. Damp environments are a common cause of all of these types of growth. A roof without adequate drainage can be especially susceptible to growth in rainy regions. Roof rot. A house can experience serious structural issues because of a rotting roof. When exposed to moisture for long periods, wood is susceptible to rotting, allowing fungus growth that can deteriorate the structure. However, you can often minimize damage by identifying a rotting roof quickly. Signs of a rotting roof include missing shingles, torn flashing, mold growth in your attic, a sunken roof deck, excessive moss or algae growth, and ceiling water damage. Energy efficiency problems. If you have noticed that your utility bills keep getting bigger every winter, it might be the result of a poorly insulated roof. Insulating windows and doors to lower energy bills are often the focus of most homeowners, but sometimes the roof is really the problem. During the coldest months of the year, high energy bills can be caused by a poorly insulated roof allowing air to come and go more easily. Outdated roofing materials. It is time to replace your roof if your asphalt shingles are more than 20 years old. Under ideal conditions, three-tab shingles only last about 25 years. On the other hand, 30 years is the life expectancy of architectural shingles. Therefore, closely monitor your roof and prepare for roof replacement if your roof is nearing the end of its expected lifespan, even when you haven’t noticed any of the other warning signs. Roof problems can cause expensive repair and replacement bills. However, noticing issues early may help you avoid a total roof replacement. Contact us today if you are having any problems with your roof. Our roofers in Longwood have the experience and expertise to identify roof issues and determine the need for roof repairs or replacement.
Share: