When it comes to protecting your home, your roof is quite literally at the top of the list. It’s the first line of defense against rain, snow, ice, and everything else Mother Nature can throw at it. Here are four signs your roof needs replaced and how to get it done.
1. Shabby Shingles
Do your shingles look like they have bald spots? It could be due to a lack of reflective granules. After many years of an onslaught of harsh sun rays, rain, hail, and maybe even snow, these granules tend to wear out and fall off.
Also, there’s a lack of proper insulation. You’re probably letting excess heat into your home or even out of it in colder weather. This also means a higher air conditioning and heating bill.
You might not be struggling with moisture issues…yet. However, without proper protection, shabby shingles will eventually lead to leaks.
2. Cracked and Curled
Are your shingles sporting cracks, or look like you’ve taken a curling iron to the edges? This not only looks terrible, it means you’re more prone to leaks. And where there’s moisture build-up, you can be sure mold and rot will follow, leading to a weakened roof structure.
Cracked and curled shingles can also lead to poor water drainage, sending water away from your gutters and onto the ground. Here, water can pool up and possibly lead to foundation damage.
3. Leaks and Drips
If you’ve been looking for signs your roof needs replaced, a leak is probably the biggest hint. Leaks can look different, depending on the damage. You may notice brown water spots showing up on your ceiling or possibly have literal water drops coming down. Sometimes, it’s even just a smell — leaks can be surprisingly sneaky (and stinky). Either way, you’ll definitely want to call your contractor soon the moment you find a leak spring up.
4. Keeping Up with the Joneses
Notice your neighbor replacing their roof? If your homes were built around the same time, it’s probably a sign that your roof may need to be replaced, too. It will also allow you to keep up with the home values for your area.
But don’t think you need to go at it alone. If you’re friendly with your neighbors, consider asking them for roofer references and why they chose the material they went with. They may have some good advice!
Some Other Roofing Tips
So, your roof is definitely displaying some (or all) of these signs that it needs to be replaced. Getting your roof replaced is no small undertaking, though. Here are some tips to get you started.
- Get multiple roofing quotes: Along with recommendations from friends and family, scout out some other local roofers in your area and contact them for quotes. Then you can compare quotes and pick the one that offers the best bang for your buck.
- Get a roof inspection: your roof may look like it needs to be replaced, but you still don’t know the extent of the damage. Get a roof inspection to be sure of all that needs to be done.
- Consider upgrading the roof materials: Composite shingles are probably the most affordable roofing materials, but they aren’t necessarily the most durable. Other roofing materials, like metal roofing, last much longer, making them a more cost-effective investment.
- Check your gutters: While you’re getting your roof redone, your gutters could probably stand to be replaced, too. It wouldn’t do to fix a leaky roof but not leaky gutters. See if your roofer has any recommendations for gutter subcontractors.
Ready for a New Roof?
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