The roof is the cornerstone of your home. It keeps you safe and dry–with the proper maintenance. After a while, you may notice that your roof is just not holding its own as well as it did years ago. Knowing the major red flags regarding your roof’s help is the first step in determining if it’s time to replace it. Here are ten signs that it might be time to replace your roof.
1) Leakage
If your roof has been consistently leaking, from minor leaks to significant puddles, it’s time to get a new roof as soon as possible. Take a look around the openings of your roof after a rainstorm such as your ceiling, any skylights you may have, or your attic to see if any water has infiltrated your home. If you see any water spots it is best to address this issue as soon as possible and call an expert in to inspect your roof. Not addressing this issue can lead to costly structural damage to your home.
If you’re considering installing new shingles on your roof, it’s essential to know how to measure a roof for shingles accurately. This measurement process involves calculating the roof’s area and accounting for factors such as pitch and overhangs. Consulting a roofing professional or referring to a reliable guide can provide you with the necessary steps to ensure proper measurement and avoid any material shortages during the installation process.
2) Curling
Grab the ladder and take a good look at your shingles. If you discover that your shingles are curling, that is a big red flag of more significant issues–like leaking. Shingles will sometimes curl when they are at the end of their lifespan, if you have poor ventilation in your home or if they were improperly installed. When you see this happening to your home be sure to take care of it immediately as your roof is no longer functioning properly and excessive damage to the structure of your home may occur.
3) Exposed Nails
Another sign of roof wear to observe is exposed nails. They can lead to a leaky, damaged roof and rust. Count how many nails are exposed. Look at their condition. Are they extremely old and rusty? The more exposed nails you see, the more critical it is to call a roof replacement contractor in Long Island. Exposed nails are a sign of an improper install and create openings in your roof for water, insects, and debris to enter through. This will cause damage to your roof, attic, and structure of your home if not taken care of properly.
4) Wind Damage
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Wind damage on a roof may be a tough sign to spot–especially if the shingles are lifted. When shingles lift due to heavy winds, the sealant that holds it all together can loosen and make shingles fall off. When this happens the raw wood of your home is exposed and structural damage will occur. Whenever you are missing shingles on your roof or shingles are ripped off they must be replaced as soon as possible. A tarp fasted to your roof over the exposed areas will be good enough until you are able to call a professional roofer to replace the shingles.
5) Cracking Shingles
It is definitely time to replace your shingles if you notice cracks. Replacing the shingles could be an option, but depending on how many shingles and how long they’ve been cracked–a complete roof replacement maybe your best option in the long run. Whenever your roof has been exposed to the elements for a long period of time a complete roof replacement is essential. Without ripping up the whole roof there will be no way of knowing if there is any structural damage or underlying damage to the plywood under the shingles.
6) Missing Granules
Granules will fall off here and there during the lifespan of your roof. More often than not you can see some inside of your gutters from erosion due to the elements. Research the age of your roof and take a look at how many are missing. If you need an expert opinion, reach out to us, and we’ll give you a hand.
7) Missing or Damaged Flashing
If you have a roof that meets a wall, kick-out flashing is critical for stopping water from going into your home. Without it, runoff from your roof will flow down the side of the house and possibly into your walls. This isn’t good for the doors and windows below because water can seep behind the trim causing mold, rot, and other structural problems for your house. You might not notice the problem for years, but eventually, the rot will destroy the sheathing and framing of your home making your house weak, leaky, and not structurally sound. Replacing flashing around any penetrations on your roof is very important. Many times flashing can be seen around chimneys.
8) Your Roof is Ancient
Roofs in Long Island are definitely produced and installed for durability. A properly maintained roof should last about 15-20 years. Remember when you bought or built your house? How old was the roof then? Take that into consideration into determining whether it’s time to replace your roof. The older the roof you have the more problems it may cause you in the long run. When selling your house, making an addition to the house, or just maintaining the overall insulation and functionality of your home may be compromised if your roof is ancient.
9) Your Roof is Saggy
A roof with soft, saggy spots is a significant sign that your roof needs to be replaced. With the amount of snow and rain that the Long Island area receives, it would be a disaster for your roof to buckle under the weight of 5 inches of snow or during a heavy downpour. This is also dangerous if you get on your roof for inspection and maintenance. If you step on certain areas of your roof and it seems like you’re walking on a sponge–get off and call a roofing contractor ASAP. This means there is water damage to your roof and there are weak points of your roof that may collapse from weather damage.
10) You Hate The Way It Looks
Did you use a home remodeling contractor to replace your home’s siding? If you’ve recently given your house an exterior facelift, then your roof could look out of place. Maybe the roof colors don’t match. Perhaps your roof just has unsightly streaks or mixed-colored shingles from one-off repair jobs. Whatever the reason, call Unified, a professional roofing contractor on Long Island with a wide selection of roofing styles to match your home’s exterior and upgrade your home accordingly.
Ready to Replace Your Roof? Choose Unified Home Remodeling
We say it a lot, but we’ll say it again–don’t wait until it’s too late to replace your roof. These are just some of the signs that can inform you that it’s time to get a new roof. Our team here at Unified Home Remodeling is here for you if getting on a ladder to look for these signs is challenging or if you simply need a professional’s opinion.
