By: Tom Ingram – Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Since I have been in this business I have heard people say they want to squeeze another year or two out of their roof. Even when I was completely new and did not know much about the industry I knew that this was not a wise idea. I never understood why people would put off their roof replacement for a year or two.
Homeowners that own gorgeous $300,000-$600,000+ homes were fretting over replacing their roof which did not even cost 10% of their home’s total cost. This is the investment that protects the entire house! Think of everything that your roof protects – the entire interior of your home (bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, furniture, art, etc.), your valuables, your pets and your family. In addition, if you hold off on your roof, the general outcome is that the roof will cost more money in the future do to added damage! Save your home and your wallet by getting your roof replaced as soon as it’s needed.
Here are 7 warning signs that you should look for annually to assess the health and life of your roofing system. If you have 4 or more of these characteristics, it’s more likely than not that your roof is well past its prime.
1. Curled or Buckled Shingles – Curled or Buckled shingles are a clear sign that your roof has some age on it. If this happens on a relatively new roof, it clearly indicates your previous roofer made significant application errors. Typically, buckled shingles happen when attic moisture causes nails to push up and out of the roof’s decking. Consequently, this issue leaves your home vulnerable to weather damage and increases the risk of shingles blowing off during storms.
2. Tar Streaking or Algae Growth – Tar Streaking and Algae growth is caused by bacteria eating away at the shingles weatherproofing properties. Many companies try to stay competitive with cost by cutting corners. In roofing, this is certainly no exception. Cheap shingle manufacturing companies use fillers like limestone to keep the cost of shingle production low. However, if trees surround your home, algae from them can eat limestone, causing black streaks by exposing asphalt on shingles. Basically, what streaking and growth tells a homeowner is that the shingles themselves are losing their weatherproofing properties.
3. Missing Granules – Just like with streaking and algae growth, missing granules are a sure way to tell that your roof is dramatically losing its weatherproofing properties. But how can you check for missing granules? What you can do as a homeowner is annually check your gutters for granule build up. Alternatively, if heights aren’t your thing in a triple decker, you can still check your granules without leaving the ground. Check the splash pan in front of your downspout for an unusual amount of granules. If you have a plastic-extension attachment on your downspout, give it a quick shake. If it sounds like granules are shaking around, it may be time to get that roof inspected.
4. It’s All About Maintenance — Once a year, you should clean the cobwebs and dust from your ventilation system and exhaust vents. Then, caulk with a high grade sealant around pipes and vents and paint any exposed metal to prevent rust. Also, remove leaves and other debris from your gutters so they don’t dam up and overflow. If this hasn’t been done over the years, you might want to get a thorough inspection on your roof.
5. Check the Attic Space for Moisture and Mold — When attics are not vented properly and warm moist air rises through the building, it gets trapped in the attic. During the winter, condensation develops on the underside of the roof, causing rusty nails and, eventually, mold growth. Left long enough, the plywood rots out and you’ll need a new roof. This is not fun. Generally, this occurs in homes built between 1950 and 1990; however, over-insulating in newer homes can also block vents.
A home must have an appropriate intake and exhaust just like a car. Soffit vents are perfect for intake and a true eve-eve ridge vent is the perfect exhaust. The reason this is so important is that obviously mold and mildew are an extremely intense health hazard. However, the biggest pain is the additional cost for the homeowners. If this occurs, a professional roofer will have to replace every piece of damaged wood (usually after mold remediation) adding thousands of dollars to the cost of the roof.
6. Missing Shingles – Missing shingles are an open pathway for water to enter into your home. It’s as simple as that!
7. Daylight Coming Through Roof Boards – This is also an obvious warning sign that your roof needs replacing, however, most people don’t know about it. For example, if you enter your attic during daylight and notice light streaming through the roof decking, serious issues may be present. Typically, this indicates nails have fallen out or that corrosive materials like flashing and collars have lost their weatherproofing properties. Obviously exposed light shows open pathways for moisture to enter your home.
Indeed, you can easily assess your roof’s condition by doing a simple visual inspection and following a few key tips. A common misconception is that a roof is good for twenty or more years. However, while a new roof should last for decades, poor installation or low-quality materials can make its age irrelevant. Use these tips and help protect your home, family and peace of mind. Nevertheless, roofing issues can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare—proving that an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
So, if you suspect your roof is aging, call us today for a free inspection to assess its remaining lifespan. We pride ourselves in offering the best roofing products, installation and warranties in the industry! Contact us today at (888) 812-2783.
