4 Signs You Need Roof Replacement
by William Gerard
Your home is only as waterproof as your roof. Leaks and problems with the integrity of the roof will result in water getting into your living space, especially if you procrastinate checking out potential problems. In many cases, your problems can be fixed with simple solutions like replacing shingles, tiles, flashing, or fixing ventilation problems. But in some cases, the only way to keep your home watertight is to replace the roof. Here are a few of the telltale signs of real roof trouble that might necessitate a roof replacement.
Buckling/Bulging
When you look at a roof, what you want to see is a flat surface with uniform lines of shingles or tile. What you don't want to see is an area that slopes inward or bulges outward. Both of these problems are signs that the surface underneath the shingles — the decking — is compromised. When replacing shingles, if the old decking is in good shape, the roofers generally leave it in place. However, once the decking is compromised, you should probably consider a roof replacement.
Black Mold
The best way to determine if your roof has a slow leak is to get up into your attic and look at the underside of the decking or sheathing. The one thing you don't want to see is black mold. If it's there, you've probably had a slow leak that's been going on for quite some time. While mold remediation is sometimes possible, if the problem is big enough, you may be looking at roof replacement. Just getting rid of the mold won't fix the leak that caused it. Keep in mind that the cause of black mold is sometimes improper ventilation too, so you'll want to get the opinion of a roofing expert before deciding what to do next and how to solve the problem.
Age
The most common factor that determines whether or not you need a roof replacement is usually age. A roof that's only a few years old isn't going to have major issues unless the builders were incompetent. However, once your roof is past the 20 to 25-year mark and you begin to experience problems, you're going to have to get realistic about replacement.
Multiple Layers of Shingles
It's not uncommon for roofers to re-shingle a home by simply installing over the existing layer of shingles, especially if the homeowner needs to save money but still needs to get new shingles. However, if you start to have problems with roof and your home already has multiple layers of shingles, you'll need to have the roof replaced.
To learn more about roofing, contact a roof replacement company today.
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About Me
Do you know how to tell if you have problems with your flashing, loose shingles, or damaged tar pitch? Well, I didn't either until I experienced some of those issues on my own. One day, I realized that my roof was leaking and that I needed to find a solution fast. After contacting a professional roofing company, they were able to solve my troubles and teach me the signs of trouble. I want you to avoid the same types of hassles, which is why my blog is filled to the brim with information about roofing and home ownership. You never know, these tips could really come in handy!