When it comes to owning a home, we can all agree that roofs are one of the most overlooked things. It’s a part of your house that you don’t see on a day-to-day basis, so its wellbeing can easily slip your mind. Unfortunately, many people don’t begin to think about roof repair until it’s too late. Delaying roof replacement for too long can result in potentially bigger problems down the line, so it’s important to know the signs of when it’s time for a new roof.
Perform an interior roof check
When you perform a roof check, it’s best to start inside and then make your way out. On the inside part of your roof, see if you can spot things such as:
- Daylight breaking through the roof boards
- Leaks or water damage
- Sagging areas
- Dark stains or streaks
If you see any of these on the inside of your roof, it could be the beginning of something you really won’t want to deal with in the future.
Move outside for an exterior check
Many indicators of needing a roof repair can be seen more on the outside part of the roof. This is where the roof takes on the most damage from the outside elements, so the problems could possibly be easier to spot. Try to look for things like dark streaks, cracked shingles or missing shingles to know if your roof needs some attention.
Understand the lifespan of certain materials
The lifespan of your roof depends on your materials. While everything on your roof is specifically designed to last through all of the elements and weathering that your roof goes through, you have to understand that not everything lasts forever. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle is 20 years, but other versions that have better quality can last up to 50 years. Knowing the information like how old your shingles are could be a deciding factor in some situations.
Prepare for a roof replacement
Once you’ve done your interior and exterior check of your roof and gained a better understanding of the materials that your roof uses, it’s time to decide if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. Some smaller problems can be fixed with a simple repair, but it’s important to be able to know when your roof needs a little more than just a simple repair.
What’s Next?
In the most literal sense, our roofs are the parts of our homes that give us shelter over our heads. Many people don’t realize how much roofs actually take on, so knowing when to get a roof replacement instead of just making repairs can make all of the difference to your home. If you can’t or don’t want to check your roof yourself, contact Roof Fix to set up an appointment now!
