Signs That it’s Time to Replace Your Roof
Many homeowners don’t know where to begin when looking for potential concerns for the health of their roof. 1845RM wants you to be aware of some of the top things to watch out for that are usually firm indicators that it’s time to replace your roof.
- Streaks and Stains
This is usually an indicator of potential water damage. - Leaks and Water Damages
You will see most water damage in the form of dark spots, stains, rot, or sagging spots. This is not to be ignored, and will worsen over time. - Rotting Material
Rotting is often found in the wood, however it can be found on asphalt roofs as well. When you see this, often most homeowners can tell that they have roof rot of some fashion. - Moss and Heavy Algae
A presence of moss or heavy algae is not a sign that you need to replace your roof, but can be a very common issue in regions that have high humidity. Simple spray it away with your outdoor hose. - Decayed Shingles
This is a common notation of a roof repair or replacement. Inspect your roof and look for the common signs of decaying shingles. Such as; missing shingles, cracked or broken shingles, or buckling in your roof (this appears as a sunken spot). - Granules from the Shingle(s) inside Gutters
When cleaning out your gutters, be sure to thoroughly inspect them for shingle granules. If found, it’s important to take action sooner, than later. If left unresolved you may be putting your roof at risk for heavy water damage, and eventually, roof decay. - Damage to your Flashing
Not really sure what flashing is? That’s okay! Most homeowners do not know. That’s why our expert team here at 1845RM is here to help educate and empower our homeowners. Flashing is a protective barrier made of highly water resistant materials. The main purpose of your flashing is to redirect water from your roofs joint and instead direct it to the gutters along your roofline. Curious about what might happen without flashing, or having damaged flashing? Over time your roof would begin to develop leaks. This happens because the water sits on the surface of your roof instead of being redirected as stated above. Flashing is very important to the health and longevity of your roof. - Damage in the “Roof Valley” area
Firstly, what is a ‘roof valley’? The term, roof valley refers to the spot in your roof where two sloping parts of the roof connect. This area is common for damages due to the effects of natural weathering. Rain, snow, wind, and other elemental components flow through this area of the roof. Routine inspections of this area can save you a total roof replacement, vs just a minor repair. - Age of Roof
The average lifespan of a roof is around 20 years varying depending on the geographic conditions of the home’s location. If you live in an area with heavy natural storms, winds, or disasters, expect to have repairs at minimum before that timespan. - Poor workmanship/installation
Like most homeowners, you may not be the first owner of your home. That being said, little control is had when it comes to what is already there. And more times than not, a bad roof is easy to spot, even to the untrained eye. Patches, tiles, unmatched shingles, layovers, cut corners are all strong indicators of a poor roofing installation. Always research your options, look at experience, customer service, as well as before and after work they have done.
It’s important that you inspect the inside of your roof (through your attic) as well as performing an exterior inspection. If you are in able-bodied condition and are able to safely climb a ladder to look at your roof from the outside, this is beneficial to catching issues before they arise. Otherwise, inspect from the ground what you are able to see, and call us! If you are looking for a professional to help, and are local to the East Texas area, 1845RM would love to be your go to company.