Do you Need a New Roof? 10 Ways to tell

How often do you look at your roof? Probably, the answer is not too often… However, inspecting your roof regularly and making some fixes as soon as there is an issue detected, can prevent you some costly repairs in the long run. Also, if you keep your roof in good shape, will be beneficial for you, if you decide to sell your house.

First things first…

So, what should you look for when inspecting your roof? The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you do a roof inspection at least twice a year; spring and fall. The best place to start is inside the house. Go to the attic and look for these four things:

1. Places where the roof deck is uneven

2. Leaks or water damage

3. Spots or trails

4. Outside light showing through the roof

Exterior Check

When you take a look at the exterior of the roof, pay attention to missing shingles, damaged flashing, rotting, algae growth, etc. Some tips of things to look for on the outside are:

5. Visually inspect your roof for cracked, torn or missing shingles.

6. Scan the roof for loose material or wear around chimneys, vents, pipes, etc.

7. Watch out for an excessive amount of shingle granules in the gutters.

8. Check for signs of moisture or mold.

9. Examine the drainage, and make sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached. Also, make sure all drains are open and allow water to exit, and all gutters and downspouts are free of debris.

10. Check that all bath, kitchen and dryer vents go entirely outside of your home, not just into the attic space.

Do I need a new roof? 

Determining if you need a new roof it also depends on the roofing material as well as the type of weather of the country you live in.

• Cedar: A cedar roof in need of repair or replacement will get mossy in moist climates. The lifespan of a cedar roof is about 20 years.
• Tile: Look for broken or cracked tiles, but do not walk on them. Tile roofs can last up to 100 years, but individual tiles can break. They can be replaced but it should be done by a specialist.
• Concrete: should never need replacing.

If you have a roof with wooden shakes, you should also watch out for damage from termites, carpenter ants and/or other wood-boring pests.

Check the simplest solutions first
If your roof has water damage, don’t freak out and assume you need a brand new roof. Contact a licensed roofing contractor — or a couple — to find out what they think needs to be done and to get an estimate.

Starting over
If you do decide to go ahead and replace the whole roof, when choosing materials, keep in mind the type of weather and other issues specific to the area you live in.

DO IT NOW!
Don’t wait until the problem becomes a major issue. Your home is your patrimony, so look after it and start protecting your home by using some simple observation skills. If you find problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your roof. Many repairs can be made before a major rebuild is necessary.

If you do need a new roof, bring a specialist and don’t try to change it yourself. It can be dangerous.

Your roof is what keeps you and your family safe from the sun and snow, lightning and rain. Take care of it!