Essential Tips for Replacing a Roof

How To Spot a Roof Repair Before It Becomes Necessary

Being able to spot a roof repair before it becomes too serious is something all homeowners can benefit from. Not thinking about your roof until it comes crashing down is going to end up costing you a lot more than routine repairs. When a roof replacement or repair is due, familiarize yourself with the options available. It's important to research online for different companies to ensure you don't get scammed.

Knowing what a damaged roof looks like is essential knowledge. Spotting the tell-tale signs and then acting quickly to make the necessary repairs is the best way to ensure peace of mind when the weather gets bad.

Below are a few of the most telling ways of determining your roof needs repairs or replacement.

Check Your Attic for Leaks

Before even bothering to check the condition of your roof from the outside, one of the easiest and most obvious ways of checking on your roof’s condition is from the inside. By going up into your attic and inspecting the ceilings and eaves, you can sometimes easily spot light shining through, or signs of a leak such as water stains or streaking.

Spotting and patching up a leaking roof as soon as it occurs is one of the best things you can do to save yourself money in the long run as it avoids potential water damage, rot, or mold.

Verify the Age of Your Roof

It is a good idea to get familiar with the home improvement records for your home, especially if you were not the one that made the last roof replacement to your house.

Different types of roofs can have vastly different lifespans. Average roof lifespans can range from only 10 years for Bitumen and Rubber roofs, where a concrete tile or metal roof can last upwards of 45 years.

Knowing that your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan enables you to plan ahead for a replacement. Getting someone to estimate the cost of a new roof before an emergency is a great way to ensure you can budget ahead and shop around for the best prices available.

Check the Shingle Condition

Keeping up on and replacing any damaged shingles on your roof as it occurs is an excellent way to extend your roof’s lifespan. Typical signs of damage are easy to spot from the ground, but it doesn’t hurt to go up and get a closer look once in a while to make sure nothing is missed.

Signs of shingle damage include:

• Cracks
• Curled edges
• Moss
• Dark streaks
• Bald spots or missing granules
• Buckling

Spotting these tell-tale signs and making repairs will help avoid leaks, extend your roof's lifespan, and avoid the risk of having to do a full replacement sooner than later.

A Droopy Roof Needs Repairs

If you notice your roof has started to droop or is sagging, it is a good sign that you are going to have to replace the whole roof. If possible, get an estimate for the cost of a new roof as soon as you can before significant leaking or water damage occurs. This will likely necessitate an emergency repair or replacement. This would be a good time to get familiar with the different types of roofs available, and think about making an upgrade to one of the more longer lasting roofs such as concrete, tile, or a metal roof.

By simply following the above advice, you can save yourself a chunk of change. Avoiding a roof replacement for as long as possible is one of the best things you can do in order to save yourself money over the course of your lifetime in your home.