How often do you look at your roof? I don’t mean just a glance when you’re backing out of the driveway to shuttle the kids to baseball practice. I mean how often do you really inspect your roof for damage or the potential for leaks. Not often? Well, that makes you like so many other people we speak with on a daily basis!
Did you know that the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) recommends that homeowners do an inspection of their roof twice a year, fall and spring? We also like to add after any severe weather such as high wind or hail.
Well don’t fret because the following 5 tips will help you determine whether or not you need a roof repair or a full replacement:
1. Roof Age—Most experts suggest that the average roof will last anywhere from 20-25 years but that depends on a few factors like if there is more than one layer of shingles and whether or not the installation was ventilated properly. If you have more than one layer of shingles, you will need to replace sooner than if there is a single layer.
2. Shingle appearance—Go on outside and just take a look. At first glance, do any of your shingles appear curved, buckled, rotted or blistered? Are there damaged areas on the roof or areas where shingles are missing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should have your roof evaluated by a pro to determine whether or not you need a repair or a replacement. Making small repairs to your roof along the way can save you BIG by avoiding costly repairs (not just to your roof) down the road.
3. Moss or Algae growth—Since you just did a thorough inspection of your shingles (right??) 🙂 then you could have noticed some moss or algae growth. This can often be a cosmetic issue—especially if you live in a cool or moist climate—but unfortunately they hold moisture and can lead to damage to the shingle surface.
4. Check your gutters—Are there shingle granules in the gutters (they look like large granules of sand)? If the roof is shedding granules, then the roof may be getting close to the end of its life span. Granules give your shingles added weight and help protect your roof from ultraviolet rays. If the color on the roof is inconsistent or darker in some places, this is a sign that the granules are wearing away.
5. Lastly, let’s head to the attic (grab a flashlight)—You are looking for places where the roof deck is sagging, signs of water damage or leaking, dark spots or trails and any outside light showing through the roof. If you see any of those it could indicate that your roof needs an inspection by a pro.
Don’t be overwhelmed if you did see some of these things on your roof, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a repair or a replacement right away but I do advise you to call an expert. We can provide you with an evaluation and inspection of the current condition of your roof and offer affordable solutions if work needs to be done. We also have great financing options and can help you apply for assistance from your insurance company if the damage is weather related. Give us a call today and let us know if this article was helpful to you!
Thanks for reading
Sources: NRCA, Owens Corning