If you’ve seen advertisements for roofing services in the mail, you may be wondering if it’s time for your roof to get redone. If your roof isn’t obviously leaking, it can be hard to tell whether you need to redo it, or whether you can save some money by simply getting repairs done as necessary. Here are a few things to consider before you call up a roofer.
How old is the roof?
A roof should last between 20 and 25 years. If a new roof was installed on top of an old roof, it’ll probably have a shorter lifespan than on a fresh foundation. If your roof is relatively new, you can probably just get repairs done as needed, but if it is between 20 and 25, you should probably just get a new roof.
What is the condition of the shingles?
You can tell a lot about a roof from how the shingles themselves look. Of course, you probably know if the shingles are falling off in chunks or missing entirely in places, your roof is past it’s prime, but there are a few other things to look at too.
If the shingles are curling or fraying, call a GAF certified roofing contractors as soon as possible because it’s a clear sign that the roof needs to be fully replaced. I say GAF because they have the highest quality shingles in the USA.
Shingle granules in the gutters
When you clean out the gutters, did you notice tiny pieces of your shingles in there? If you’re finding large amounts of these in the gutter, even if your roof isn’t leaking yet, you need to replace your roof soon. When lots of these are coming off the roof, it’s a classic sign that your roof is coming to the end of its useful lifespan.
The roof feels spongy when you walk on it
If you get up on the roof and it feels squishy when you walk around, it’s a sign that moisture is getting down to the decking underneath the shingles. This is a significant sign that your roof needs repairs and probably a total replacement.
You can see daylight when you go in the attic
If you can see light shining through the roof boards, this is a sure sign that your roofing needs replaced. Call a roofer immediately if this sign occurs. If light can get through, so can water, and water damage can cause significant problems to the integrity of your home.
If you’re not sure whether your roof needs replaced or not, you can always call a roofer and ask them to do an inspection. A roofing inspection can save you money if the roof doesn’t need to be replaced. If it does need to be replaced, knowing before there is significant structural damage can help you avoid having to do repairs beyond just the roof itself.
It never hurts to call and ask for more information. Most roofers are happy to listen to your concerns and help address whether or not you can use one of their roofing services to protect your home from damage.