Roofs are one of the most important elements of a home. Without a roof, your home isn’t even a shelter. Unfortunately, roofs, like almost anything else, can wear out. They can become damaged over time from the elements or simply the aging of the components. When this happens, it’s important that your roof is either repaired or replaced entirely by professionals.
How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Roof
There are a number of signs you should look out for as a homeowner that indicate it’s time to replace your roof. These include:
- many damaged shingles or tiles
many missing shingles or tiles
the roof is very old
the roof is sagging
the roof is leaking
At some point, it may come time to replace your roof instead of attempting minor repair jobs. For example, if a storm comes by and blows off a quarter of your shingles, it’s a much better idea to redo the entire roof instead of attempting to replace those shingles one by one. You should also keep in mind that every roof has an expiration date. If your roof is nearing 20 years in age, it may be a better idea to replace it at that point instead of waiting for it to fail.
How to Inspect Your Roof for Problems
Knowing when it is time to replace your roof, however, requires being able to spot problems as they develop. This requires making routine inspections of both your roof and the inside of your home. On the roof, you should try to spot issues like missing, broken, or damaged shingles or tiles. Make sure to use the proper safety equipment while doing so, such as a safety harness or strain rope. Be careful. Loose or broken roof tiles could give way if stepped on. Inside your home, inspect your roof for things like sunlight exposure, sagging, and water damage like wood rot.
Benefits of Roof Inspections and Roof Replacement
Regular roof inspections can allow you to catch problems as they develop. This means being able to solve problems before they turn into larger issues that can do far more damage. A simple roof leak, for example, can do thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars of damage if not caught and fixed. It could even threaten the entire structure of your home and make it unlivable through the growth of things like black mold.
Roof replacement also has its own benefits, such as:
- it increases your home’s value
it can maintain insurance coverage for older homes
it can lower your insurance policy’s premiums
it can increase your home’s value
it can help your home sell faster
it can protect your home’s structure for years
When to Install a New Roof
Anytime you witness serious problems with your roof, it is a good time to consider a roof replacement from a company like Eagle Eye Roofing. However, certain seasons have drawbacks for taking on such a project. Replacing a roof during the winter can be very difficult or even dangerous in many parts of the country. Even during the summer and spring, rain, wind, and humidity can be a big concern. The best time to install a new roof is actually during the fall due to mild weather and temperatures.
Overall, the roof is one of the most important parts of your home. Make sure to take care of it by performing routine inspections to find problems and replacing your roof when the time comes.