Roofs do not last indefinitely. Between hostile weather conditions and aging, your roof is usually not expected to last more than 20 years. If you aren't sure how old your current roof is, there are some telltale signs that let you know that your roof needs to be replaced. If you spot any of these signs, it is wise to call a roofing contractor and have your roof checked out. If the roofer confirms that your roof needs replacing, you can start planning and hiring to have it done. The following issues are just some of the main and typical signs that your roof needs to be torn off and replaced.
Physical Issues With Your Roof
Most homeowners can't see any physical issues with their roofs until they begin experiencing leaks inside the home or they notice water damage. By then, the problem on top of the house is so severe that more than just the shingles may need to be torn off. There are ways to see roof damage, and it starts with standing on the opposite side of the street or as far back on your property as you can stand.
Spotting the Sagging Roof
Some sagging roofs will require you to stand a little ways away from your house outside to see the areas of the roof that don't look right. Other sagging roofs can't be spotted until you climb a ladder to look or until you actually get up onto the roof to look around. A sagging roof is a major indicator that roofing supports and plywood covering the trusses has rotted out and needs to be removed and replaced to restore the roof to its original appearance.
Missing Shingles
Sometimes you can see the missing shingles from the ground because they have literally peeled away and are flapping in the wind. Sometimes the shingles come off and land on the ground around the foundation of your home. Not all missing shingles are that obvious though. That is why it's so important to climb up and take a look around, or have a professional roofer look for you.
Exposed Fiberglass on Shingles
Some modern shingles are made with a fiberglass base mat. There are two additional layers on top of the fiberglass layer. If the shingles are beaten down by hurricanes, hail, etc., the fiberglass is exposed. This is bad news because it means that the shingles are down to the last layer and the most permeable layer. While most fiberglass shingles are strong and able to last a longer time than standard asphalt shingles, you don't want to let exposed fiberglass on fiberglass shingles be the only thing between bad weather and the interior of your home. Again, there's no way to see this from the ground, which is why a roofer has to check out all the shingles while on the roof.
Bald Spots With Granules Missing
Equally as bad as exposed fiberglass on shingles are bald spots with granules missing. Fiberglass shingles are fiberglass, asphalt, and finally ceramic granules to help resist UV effects, which is key on roofs in Texas. Bald spots mean that there are no ceramic granules, and that the asphalt below may be worn away as well. Something has worn off the granules, leaving the shingles without that UV protection that is desperately needed in very hot, sun drenched cities like Houston. These defective shingles that are missing parts and bits all over have to be torn off and replaced right away.
Several Leaks and Repeated Repairs
It's common for people who are living on a tight budget to just repair a leak in their ceilings or attics and ignore a bigger problem on the roof. If you have spent hundreds, even thousands of dollars on leak repair in the last year, you've wasted a lot of money. A repair on the roof could have saved you all the money you spent fixing the leak in the ceiling or attic, and the roof repair or roof replacement would have lasted for years to come.
Other Issues That Result in a Roof Replacement
Perhaps your roof doesn't have any of the above problems. It may, however, be time to replace the roof anyway. There are a couple of other non-damage-related signs that you should put a new roof on your home.
Aging
An aging roof just looks tired or worn. It can also have algae or moss on the shingles because the shingles are so old that they have allowed these green growing things to take root. Sometimes old shingles will curl up around the edges, or chip at the corners.
The best rule of thumb is to know how long you have lived in your home and gauge when you think the roof was last replaced. If you bought your home from another owner and you have lived in the house for at least 15 years without replacing a shingle, there's a pretty good chance that the roof is too old. (The only exception to this rule, of course, are metal roofs, which are typically guaranteed for decades.)
Everyone Else in the Neighborhood Is Replacing Their Roofs
It's actually pretty common to have multiple neighbors replace their roofs at the same time. It helps remind neighbors that the last time roofs were replaced occurred when they were all replaced a long time ago. If you're not sure how old your roof is, but your neighbors are replacing theirs, it might be a good time and a good idea to replace your roof as well.
Getting Your Roof Replaced or Repaired in Houston, TX
Now that you know how to spot a roof issue, and you know why it's so vital to have it fixed sooner than later, you can look at hiring a roofing contractor. Don't hire just any contractor either. Hire certified and insured professionals who will do an excellent job to ensure that your home or your building is well-protected by your new roof. If your home or other building that needs roofing is in the Houston, TX area, you won't have to look very far to find a roofing contractor. In fact, you can start by getting in touch with one of the city's premier roofers.
If you have decided to get your roof repaired or replaced, and you live in Houston, TX, Top Roofing, LLC., wants to help you out. They will climb up on your roof, look around, take pictures to show you, and then provide you with a reasonable estimate to make repairs or replace your roof entirely. They do commercial roofs, residential roofs, flat roofs, gutters, downspouts, and more. If you are worried about paying for your new roof, Top Roofing offers special financing programs that can help. Contact Top Roofing, LLC., today for a free quote on your roofing project.
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