When You Need a Roof Replacement

When Is It Time to Get a Roof Replacement?

Roof replacement is nothing new. A good roof will last a long time, but through the years, all things age, and unfortunately, the extreme weather that nature has thrown at us in recent years has sped up that aging process. Your roof has been taking a beating from the weather and sun. If your roof is 10 or more years old, it’s time for a thorough inspection to assess its ability to protect the largest and most valued investment you’ve ever made. 

This article will show you how to know when you need a roof replacement based on the signs of roof damage you discover during your inspection. 

Before breaking out the 12-foot ladder, start easy and first inspect the attic for obvious signs of roof damage: 

• Light seeping through from above
• Water stains in the wood around pipes and vents
• Water streaks on the attic walls
• Signs of rot, mold, or algae growth
• Indications of animal intrusions

If all that checks out, remain on the easy path and just walk across the street to make a visual inspection of your roof. Again, look for obvious signs:

• The roof sags or displays sunken areas
• Shingles are missing
• Tree limbs rest on the roof

Roof Replacement Signs Can Be Elusive

Hopefully, all that checks out, but even if it does, it’s time to get out the ladder. You don’t want to take the risk of living beneath a roof that can longer protect your home.

Be sure you can maneuver across your roof with a sure footing. When you feel safe, begin to comb the roof for anything that might be wrong:

• Curled, cracked, or worn shingles
• Damaged or missing flashing
• Rotted or damaged gutters or fascia
• Spots where the roof seems to give underfoot
• Areas that have been damaged by trees
• Patches of mold, moss, or algae growth

One not-so-obvious way to know when your roof should be replaced is your energy bill. Older roofs were not made with the products we have today that are intended to conserve energy. Heat rises, and in most homes, the roof is the biggest source of heat loss. It is also one of the main sources of water leaks, and water damage can destroy your home in more ways than one.

We hope this article helped you know if or when you need a roof replacement. Don’t let roof damage get out of hand. Protect your home and your family. 

If you don’t feel comfortable making an assessment of the condition of your roof or would rather not climb all the way up there, contact a local roofing professional in Lexington, SC, like Sands Roofing & Construction for a free inspection and estimate.

A damaged roof means a damaged home, and you don’t want to risk losing the one investment that protects your family and everything you own!