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Are you considering a roof replacement? Would you know if you did? In many situations, the signs can be rather evident, but other times, they aren’t. A solid roof above your head is pretty crucial if you’ve become accustomed to having a warm, cozy, and leak-free home. Here’s how to see and address potential headaches before they spiral out of control.
If you’ve conducted just a little investigating into this question, you’ve more than likely crossed the” 20″ year rule for a roof’s lifespan. That number is utilized as a benchmark. A great many residential roofs in Boynton Beach, FL need a replacement during that timeframe. But, there are quite a few factors at play and not any roof is the same.
Roofing systems take a tremendous amount of external wear and tear with every year that flies by. Persistent sunlight, strong winds, tree damage, vermin, hurricanes, rain, or destructive weather conditions – all of these have an impact on a roof’s lifetime. How often your roof needs to be replaced depends on many factors:
- What kind of weather is experienced.
- Yearly maintenance and preservation.
- How old the materials are.
- Quality of the materials.
- How well it was installed in the first place.
- Were repairs addressed when needed?
- If wildlife was kept away.
- External debris accumulation.
You Have An Old Roof
An important initial factor to consider before inspecting your roof for cracks, breaks, and other problems is how old it is. A roofing system that is 15-20 years or older may require a complete replacement, even if the roof itself appears in quality shape from the naked eye.
Older roofs were many times created with roofing materials that are no longer useful or considered strong today. If your roof is 10, 15, or 20 years old, it might be time for a complete inspection, potentially investing in a whole new roof altogether, and definitely if your roof has overlayed a previously installed roof.
Start By Inspecting Your Roof From the Inside Out
The first and simplest way to gauge your roof’s condition is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a powerful beam to ensure no damage is overlooked and always take proper safety protocols as you go through these kinds of inspections.
Upon arriving in your attic, see if you can identify one or more of these four signs that you need to replace the roof:
1) Daylight Through The Roof Boards
Prior to turning your flashlight on, try and locate any beams of light coming through cracks or holes in your roof. If you do spot any light coming through your roof, fix it, or replace your roof immediately. If light is shining through your roof, then water is getting through your roof.
2) Dark Streaks & Stains
This one is also extremely easy to find. If you see dark stains or dark streaks on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is likely leaking, and moisture is causing damage to both your roof, as well as your home’s interior structure.
3) Sagging Areas
In the same way that water will make a piece of cardboard soggy and weak, water can also make your roof structure begin to sag. If you notice sagging portions of your roof, use your hand or a stick to lightly prod at the sagging spot. If the spot is wet or bends easily with the prod of your stick, you know you have moisture damage.
4) Water Damage
In addition to checking for dark streaks and sagging areas, make sure to look for any obvious indications of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you find any clear signs of water damage, it’s advisable to contact a roofing company to immediately inspect your roof.
Curling Or Missing Shingles Are Visible
Checking out your roof’s shingles is another way to figure out whether or not your roof needs further attention or a possible roof replacement entirely. While examining the exterior shingles of your home’s roof, try to spot any cracks, dilapidated shingles, or shingles that have curled or bent upwards.
Asphalt that is curled, cracked, or misshapen may require a deeper inspection to determine whether or not they must be replaced individually or if you are better off investing in a re-roof.
Locating shingle granules all over your roof or building up in your gutter can also be an indicator that the moment is here for a complete and thorough roof replacement. Large amounts of shingle granule loss are a major sign that the roof’s condition is not where it needs to provide your roof can hold up to a large hurricane.
Excessive Growths On Your Roof
Dark spots (or generally grimy-looking shingles) are caused by moss and algae growth. These might not be directly tied to when you have to replace your roof (or that it needs repair), but these problems can spread out and cause damage.
Is there moss or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? If so, don’t worry. Our natural environment tends to grow over any man-made building in its path if it is not adequately tended to and maintained.
When examining your roof and the fungus you have spotted, be sure to do so by examining both the interior and exterior of your roof. While most algae growths are likely to be seen from the outside of your roof, when there’s a bigger problem on-deck, nature could also be thriving on its own indoors without your knowledge.
Most of the time, eliminating the algae from a roof helps remedy the problem without considering a re-roof. But, if you notice substantial growths on your roof or even inside your home, the recommendation is to call a professional to identify the root cause and reason for the growths.
When natural growths have completely overtaken a roof, you may need to replace the roof in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks.
Fortunately, algae growth and accumulation are not usually indicators that you need to repair or replace your roof. Rather, algae are more of just an eyesore on your roof and one that is quite common in humid areas like Florida.
In the event your roof is indeed needing a full roof replacement, there then becomes a number of decisions to be made. Such as which roofing material to use. Which roofing contractor to work with? In South Florida many work with Boynton Beach Roofing Experts. If you perhaps have a valid insurance damage claim.
For many people having access to the money to get a new roof may not be viable. There is financing available for qualified homeowners offered by most reputable companies. Ensure to do due diligence prior to making your choice of contractor.