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Originally Posted On: 10 Signs Your Home Needs a Roof Replacement (activerain.com)
Did you know that the average price of a home in 2020 was $355,900? Buying a home is expensive and keeping up with maintenance can also get expensive.
Knowing what to look for when practicing regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs or it can help you find issues before they get worse. Make sure you know what signs to look for when roof replacement is necessary.
This guide will provide the most important signs to look for. Keep reading to learn what they are.
1. A Leak Is an Obvious Sign
One of the most obvious signs of a damaged roof is leaking when it rains. A small leak can turn bigger quickly and cause water damage that can lead to mold and other issues. A leak can also damage your belongings.
If a leak becomes too big you might need a total roof replacement to fix the issue. Water damage is serious and should get fixed right away.
2. The Age of the Roof
Even if you don’t notice any apparent issues or damage to your roof, you might need replacing if it’s a certain age. The last time the roof was replaced and the material used will indicate when it needs replacing again.
Most roof types require replacement after 20 or 25 years. If your roof hasn’t been repaired or replaced in that long and you don’t have any apparent issues, expect to start seeing them soon.
3. If You’re Missing Shingles
You might also need a new roof if you’re missing shingles or if shingles on your roof are cracked or damaged. Time and elements of nature can tear shingles off your roof. This can make it easier to suffer water damage.
Heat can also cause the shingles on your roof to start curling. This normal wear and tear should get repaired right away. If it’s too extensive you might need an entire roof replacement.
4. If You See Light in the Attic
Another way to check for damage and determine if your roof needs to be replaced is to go into your attic. If your roof doesn’t seem to have any damage when first inspected, your attic can show you issues you haven’t found yet.
If you go up to your dark attic and notice sunlight this means you have holes in your roof. These holes can cause more damage when exposed to rain.
You’ll start seeing water falling through your home. Get your roof replaced before you suffer more damage.
5. A Sagging Ceiling
A sagging ceiling is a typical indication of damage that needs urgent repair. Sagging is an early sign of a leak in your roof. As the moisture collects in the area it creates a soggy-like buildup.
If you touch the area of the roof that’s sagging and it feels soft or wet then you have a leak that needs immediate attention. Sagging in one area might mean you need a small repair. If you have more extensive sagging then you’ll need to contact a roof installation service to get your roof replaced.
6. Breaks in the Flashing
Cracks in your flashing are a surefire sign that you need work completed on your roof. The flashing around the vents and chimney on your roof creates a seal that prevents water damage from rain.
Cracks in this flashing can lead to leaks and damage your entire roof, requiring you to get it replaced. Make sure to inspect your roof regularly to check for these cracks and get them repaired as soon as you notice them.
7. A Double Layered Roof
A double-layered roof will require you to call residential roofing sooner than you’d like. Double layering happens when a roofing material is placed over the old one.
This quick-fix will cause more damage to your roof and require you to replace it in a shorter time period. If you got your home’s roof double-layered before or if this work was completed before you moved in, you’ll need to get the entire roof replaced.
8. Severe Weather
While your roof is supposed to protect you and your family from severe weather, this weather can cause damage to your roof as well. Even if you don’t notice any immediate damage, your roof should always be inspected after recent snowstorms or severe rain and winds.
This type of weather can crack shingles or tear them right off. It can create moisture causing leaks and damage to your roof and home.
9. If You Find Streaks on Your Ceiling
You can find damage simply by looking up at your roof when you’re inside your home. If you see stains or streaks on your ceiling these are a clear sign of moisture buildup caused by a leak in your roof.
These stains can transfer to entire walls and cause structural damage. You might not see a leak but stains do indicate there is one. It might be small but it should be checked to see if you need a repair or replacement.
Calculate a new roof cost so you can be prepared when you contact roofing services to replace your roof.
10. Moss Growth
Moss growth, like the appearance of mold inside your home, indicates that you have moisture in your roof. Moisture can indicate you have a leak and damage to your roof.
This damage might require getting a complete roof replacement. You won’t know until you get it inspected by a professional.
Look For These Signs That You Need Roof Replacement
The signs in the list above are some common indicators that you need a roof replacement. Leaks and damaged shingles often require you to get a new roof.
Did you find this article informative? Check out the other home-related blogs on our site if you did.