Is Your Roof In Need Of Replacement?

It is important to always thank the ‘roof over our heads’ that keeps us sheltered by making sure it gets maintenance when needed. The information below will help you spot the signs of roof deterioration so that you will know when your roof is in need of repair or maintenance.

When the time does come to replace your roof, it’s also important to know which style or colour will best-suit the weather in your area. Here in the Washington DMV area, where summers are humid, winters are fairly mild, and there’s plenty of rain, moisture and mold are likely culprits of roof damage.

Warning signs

Here are some telltale signs that it might be time to get a new roof:

1. Curled up shingles

If shingles are curling up, there is a risk that the wind could pick up and rip them off. If this is the case, replace them quickly before water starts to leak in.

2. Other houses in the neighbourhood are getting their roofs done.

If the subdivision was built around a similar time, it may indicate that it is time to get the roof replaced.

3. Missing shingles or worn out shingles (i.e. granules missing)

While missing a few shingles doesn’t always indicate that the entire roof is in need of replacement, it often can suggest when damage has been done to the structure of the roof.

4. Sagging roof

One of the most obvious signs that your roof is in need of immediate replacement is a sagging roof. If your roof is beginning to sag, it could mean that water is getting through the shingles and damaging the plywood that comprises the roof structure.

5. The roof is twenty years old or older

As a general guideline, if the roof has not been replaced in twenty years, it should be on the top of the to-do list as a preventative measure.

6. Mold in the attic

This may indicate that there might not be enough ventilation to move the warm air that rises causing condensation and eventually mold in the attic.

7. Expensive energy bills

A great indicator that there is something going on with ventilation and insulation in your home could be soaring energy bills. If your house has proper ventilation and insulation it would protect and maintain a regular temperature in the home. The expensive energy bill indicates that either the air conditioning or heating is working at a higher capacity to heat or cool the home, which could signal that the roof is not performing optimally.

Now that you have identified that your roof needs to be replaced, here are three things to consider as you go through the shopping process. Remember that these choices are important because your new roof investment could last for the next 20 years or even longer!

Three Things to Consider

1. Color and Style Coordination

The first thing to do when considering what colours to select for your new roof is to look around the neighbourhood. There may be a consistent colour scheme in the area or particular colour selections that will match the exterior of your home.

Tip: Sometimes dark colours can make homes appear smaller, meanwhile light colours make a home look bigger.

2. Weather and energy conservation

When shopping around for a new roof, an important factor to consider is energy conservation. Depending on the type of weather in your area, roof temperatures in certain cities can reach higher than 150 degrees! Having this kind of temperature in the roof forces the air conditioning to work harder to be able to cool down the house, raising the energy bills. Just like wearing white keeps you cool during the hot summer months, light shingles keep temperatures down in hotter climates, while dark shingles absorb heat and warms up homes in colder climates.

3. Roof Life-Span

Depending on your budget and your long-term plans, there are different types of shingles that can be used. According to U.S. News, “Slate, copper and tile roofs can last more than fifty years. Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about thirty years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about twenty years, the NAHB found. Climate and weather conditions, such as snow, hail and hurricanes, can cut the lifespan of all types of roofs.” There are options for every budget and commitment to the house whether you plan to be there for five years or fifty years in your home.

We hope this helps you to identify the condition of your roof, and what to consider as you shop for a new one. If you have any more questions or have noticed that your roof is in need of repair or replacement, contact Smart Home Improvement by phone or book an online consultation through the contact form.