5 Signs That Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

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Looking up and seeing a sturdy roof over your property gives you reassurance that your home or commercial building can weather any storm. Yet, you might suddenly get a sinking feeling in your heart if you notice that something seems to be amiss. Watching out for these five signs that a roof is reaching the end of its life span helps you to replace it before you get stuck dealing with water damage.

Look for Damaged or Missing Shingles

Typically, a roofing professional can replace a shingle or two that flies off during a storm. However, there reaches a point where you need to consider a full replacement. Seeing lots of missing shingles or panels is a sign that you might as well replace the full roof. The same goes for noticing large amounts of damage such as missing granules on asphalt shingles or major dents or cracks on other types of materials. Moldy shingles are another sign that you need to plan for a replacement, since they often indicate that a large amount of moisture is building up on the roof.

Read the Inspection Report

Professional inspections take the guesswork out of what you need to do to secure the roof. You will want to find the best roofing contractors in Harrisonburg VA and call for an inspection. They will provide you with either an oral or written report of their findings. Ideally, you should arrange for a roof inspection every year, but you might need to do an extra one if a major storm rolls through. If the inspection reveals significant damage, then you can talk to the contractor about your options for replacement or repairs.

Watch for Sagging or Droopy Spots

A soggy roof is never a good sign. This means that moisture has somehow made its way to the sublayers of the roof. Usually, this occurs when a property owner ignores the need to replace or repair the shingles on the roof. Severe sagging might be noticeable from the ground. Or, you might feel the roof moving beneath your feet as you perform an on-roof inspection. Keep in mind that sagging roofs could place your safety at risk since they can cave in if the damage is severe enough. If you see droopy spots from the ground, then let the professionals decide how to handle the next steps for planning the replacement.

Head Into the Attic

Sunlight beaming through the windows is always great for creating a cheery atmosphere, but you don’t want to see it bursting into the attic. Since the attic is the closet part of your property to the roof, you can typically find signs of serious damage there. During your visit to the attic, check for obvious holes or cracks in the roof that allow light to get inside. You can also check for water damage that could cause discoloration along the top of the attic and down the walls. If you find signs of a pest infestation, then you can also safely assume that there could be a hole in the roof that bugs or rodents are using as an entry point.

Check the Installation Date

One of the fastest ways to determine the status of your roof is to find out when it was installed. Roofing materials have a life span that can range from 15 to 25 years for asphalt shingles to around 50 years for metal panels. Keep in mind that a roof that is installed over an existing one typically has a shorter life span. Roofs that are exposed to high winds and heavy precipitation may also need to be replaced sooner than ones that aren’t in harsh climates. If you aren’t sure of when the roof was installed, then look at any paperwork from when you bought the property. You may even find a warranty that you can use to cover the replacement if the roof still falls within the designated time period.

Conclusion

A sturdy roof not only protects your property, but it also boosts the curb appeal. During your roof replacement, make sure to ask about your options for materials so that you can pick out a type and color that enhances your property’s overall appearance. Often, just switching to a different color for the shingles is all it takes to make you smile as you pull into the driveway.