Depending on what kind of roof you have, the specific region where you live, and how well you take care of it, the covering on your home should last you 15 to 20 years. If you’re in the first decade of that timeframe, then you don’t really need to worry about getting your home re-roofed. On the other hand, if it’s more than that, how do you know if it’s 15 years instead of 20?
How to Tell If Your Home Needs Re-Roofing
Fortunately, your roof can tell you if you watch out for certain signs your home needs re-roofing.
Start on the Inside
The first place you need to check your roof isn’t actually on the outside of your home or the top. Start in your attic. Many residential roofing services will tell you to get a flashlight and climb up underneath the eaves. If you see stains or streaks, your roof might be leaking. Beams of light that are coming from above are also a bad sign.
Check the Shingles
The best time to check out the shingles is after a heavy storm, but once there is enough time for it to dry so you can be up there safely. Your shingles need to be lying flat against your roof. Patches that have buckled, cracked or been damaged need repairs. Downspouts and gutters that have lots of shingle granules might indicate a roof nearing its end.
Look It Up
Check your home improvement records to see when the roof was last re-shingled or replaced. Knowing this date gives you a baseline to estimate the remaining life cycle it has left.
Cracked Flashing
Flashing seals your roof seams around chimneys, skylights, and vents. Breaks and cracks might result in leaking. Metal flashing is a good upgrade.
Roof Sagging
Any roof that is sagging and droopy is probably in need of replacement. Rotting boards and trapped moisture are risks at the lowest points of the whole roof.
Plants
Moss might be appealing in a shaded corner of your backyard, but seeing it or any other plant growing on or in your roof is something that can ruin it for good.
In conclusion, seeing issues with your roof is one thing, and they usually mean your home’s roof needs attention. Sometimes, repairs are possible to extend the functional life of your current roof. However, these particular signs usually indicate that re-roofing is necessary, lest the incessant repairs keep growing in price and frequency.
About the Writer: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
