Does Your Home Need A New Roof?

When you spot a leak in your ceiling, you’ll be sure you need a new roof, right? Learn more about factors that determine whether your house requires a whole new roof installed or the problem can be solved with a roof repair.

Typically, roof lasts between 20 and 25 years. But, in case the older roof was removed and now a properly ventilated single layer of shingles is all you’ve got – chances are you’ll get by with repair. On the other hand, if the roof was installed over another or several layers and it’s more than 20 years old, you’ll probably need a new roof.

Take a look at the slopes of your house that get direct sunlight to figure out whether there are curled shingles or losing granules. In case you notice anything buckling or curling, either the roof is defective or the shingles are older than they should be. In both cases, you should check if you’re eligible for reimbursement.

A definite sign a house needs a new roof is when roof shingles are missing in valleys or falling apart. Since they are the most important areas of any roof, compromised valleys are susceptible to roof leaks. Missing shingles, wherever they are (not) should be addressed immediately, so check to see whether all the tabs are intact. Chimney flashing is also an area you should be concerned about. In case it consists of tar or roof cement, it’s better to replace it with a metal flashing system which is water-tight fitting and long term solution. Take a peek into your gutters to check if they’re loaded up with any shingle granules, since roofs have a tendency of losing more granules toward the end of their life expectancy.

Finally, go to the attic to see whether any daylight comes through the roof boards and is there any moisture in the insulation.