Start By Learning Your Roofs History
Gauge whether youre closing in on your roofs expiration date by determining its installation date. If you purchased a new build or owned your home during the last roof replacement, then this should be fairly straightforward. Otherwise, dig a little deeper by reaching out to one of these sources:
- Ask the previous owners: Give good old-fashioned communication a try and talk to the person who sold you the house. Even if they dont know the exact date, they can provide you with a ballpark estimate. If you no longer have their contact details, your real estate agent can look into their records and provide them to you, so long as it would not violate any existing non-disclosure agreements.
- Find the building permit: A roof replacement typically mandates a building permit from the local county. Head to your local municipalitys code enforcement office and request records of building permits for your address. A code or zoning officer will pull up any documents submitted for the project, including scope and building timeline.
- Contact the roof installation company: If you know which company installed the roof, call and ask if they still have a record of the project in their database.
During your research, keep an eye out for any warranties included. A shingle warranty lasts 20 to 50 years, protecting you against manufacturing defects a workmanship warranty covers issues that may occur due to improper installation.
Something Damaged The Painted Finish On The Metal Roof Panels
Remember, the Kynar 500 painted finish protects your metal panels from the elements and keeps the color you choose from fading. Anything that damages, dents, or scratches the painted finish will shorten your standing seam metal roofs lifespan.
This could be from falling limbs or heavy hail damage. It could also be from other tradesmen walking on your roof or painters spilling paint and using chemicals to clean the paint off the panels.
Whatever the reason, if the Kynar 500 finish on your metal panels is damaged, then your standing seam metal roof will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
New Roof Versus Overlay
In the construction industry, a new roof indicates the tear-off of the old shingles and felt paper, and the installation of new felt paper and new shingles. An overlay features a new layer of shingles installed directly on top of an existing layer. While an overlay saves a little on labor and waste-disposal costs, it adds unwanted weight to the roof structure, and because the new shingles dont have a quality base, they wont last as long as a new roof installation. In many cases, the shingle manufacturer will not stand behind their product if its installed as an overlay.
References
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What Are The Two Types Of Metal Roof Systems
Before we get to the signs that its time to replace your standing seam metal roof, you need to know the difference between the two metal roof systems.
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels that are locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. This allows for panels to expand and contract freely when the metal heats up.
A screw down panel metal roof is just what it’s called it’s screwed down with the fasteners exposed. The panels are fastened down using screws and washers screwed through the face of the metal. This method of screwing the metal down doesnt allow the metal to expand and contract naturally.
Due to a lack of expansion capabilities on a screw down panel roof system, I do not recommend that you use this type of roof system over any heated living or workspace.
To learn more about the two types of metal roof systems, check out this article on standing seam vs. screw down panels.
Increase In Heating/cooling Bills
An increase in heating/cooling costs could mean many different roofing issues. For starters, moisture in your attic from a leak can quickly ruin your insulation. The destruction of insulation causes heat loss during the winter or cold air to escape during the summer. This disruption is sure to skyrocket your energy bill if left unchecked. Also, it could mean your home has attic ventilation or a damaged/leaky roof that lets bad air in and good air out.
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Daylight Coming Through Roof Boards
This is also an obvious warning sign that your roof needs replacing as this opens pathways for moisture to enter the home.
If you see light streaking from the roofs decking, you may have a big problem as this means the nails have fallen through or corrosive materials used have lost their weatherproofing properties as well .
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Curled Or Buckled Shingles
Curled or Buckled shingles are a clear sign that your roof has some age on it.
Buckled shingles can occur because of moisture in the attic space forcing nails to push up and out of the roofs decking.
This mishap can leave your home exposed to outside elements as well as being prone to shingle blow-offs during a storm.
Take Note Of Signs Of Wear
Climb back up that ladder and inspect these areas for deterioration:
- Shingles: Curling or missing shingles equates to holes in your roofs armor, leaving your home more vulnerable to the elements. Uneven discoloration, black streaks, and moss signal that this layer is past its prime.
- Storm gutters:Clogged storm gutters trap water along your roofs edges which may lead to mold and decay. Granules of your shingle material in the gutter are another telltale sign that its time for a swap out.
- Chimney flashing:Chimney flashing is the lining at the bottom of your chimney where it meets the roof. If your flashing is slathered with cracked cement or tar, youll want to upgrade to quality, water-tight fitting to prevent leaks. Note a red flag for rusty flashing, as well rusted flashing invites leaks and further structural damage.
- Wall and roof intersections: See decay where your roof meets the exterior walls? Damaged or missing step flashing allows water to settle into this meeting point, inducing corrosion.
- Attic ceiling: Your roof is leaking if you see any stains, streaks, or light beams underneath it. A sagging ceiling in the attic or top floor also suggests leakage.
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How To Tell If You Need A New Roof
A Guide To DIY Roof Inspection & 14 Signs You Need A New Roof
As a homeowner of an old or aging house, you are probably wondering how to tell if you need a new roof.
You likely also want to know when your roof needs to be replaced and how often your roof should be replaced. Finding answers to these questions can be tricky sometimes and, often, the answers you need arent all in one place.
We want to change that.
In this how to tell if you need a new roof guide, we will cover three main topics:
How to perform an interior roof check
How to perform an exterior roof check
What to do if you identify roof damage
Do You Need A Roof Replacement
The best way to know for sure whether you need a new roof is to hire an experienced roof inspector, but there are some signs you can look for:
- Your roof is more than 20 years old.
- The roof shingles have curled edges or are cracked.
- Some areas of your roof materials are visibly darker than others.
- Most of your asphalt shingles are missing granules, or you notice a lot of particles from your shingles building up in the gutters.
- You can see daylight coming through cracks or holes in the roof when you stand in your attic, or you can see holes in your roof shingles or material.
- Your roof has areas that are visibly sagging.
- There are signs of water damage to your attic or the ceilings just below the roof.
Of course, sometimes your roof material just looks like it’s clearly beyond its lifespan. Again, the best course of action is to ask a professional roofing inspector or call a roofing company to get a thorough assessment of how much longer your roof could last — if at all.
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Here’s Everything Else You Should Know Before Replacing Your Roof
1. When Your Roof Was Installed or Repaired Last
Does your home have the original roof, or were repairs made within the past few years? Depending on the type of shingles you have and the age of your roof, you may need to keep an eye out for leaks or even schedule a replacement. When your roof needs to be replaced will depend on the existing structure and shingle type. Asphalt shingles will hold up for 20 years, while wood shake roofs can last up to 30.
2. How Your Roof is Ventilated
Proper ventilation is important for a healthy roof system. If your roof lacks air flow it may be susceptible to mold and mildew. In addition to a main vent in your roof, there are a few other factors that affect how air moves through your attic to the roof.
Do a quick run through your attic to check for the following:
- A gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor to protect the house from heat gain and loss.
- A vapor barrier under the insulation and next to the ceiling to stop moisture from rising into the attic.
- Enough open, vented spaces to allow air to pass in and out freely. Typically, a roof should have 1 foot of vent space for every 150 square feet of attic space. Calculate how many vents your roof needs here.
- A minimum of 1 inch between the insulation and roof sheathing.
3. What Type of Shingles You Have
4. The Fire Rating of Your Roof
5. Pitch, or Slope, of Your Roof
Pitch will determine what type of shingles are best suited for your roof.
| Pitch |
Disclose Your Roofs Condition To Buyers At Resale
Whether you replace, repair, or leave your roof as is, detail your roofs condition in your sellers disclosure form. This provides buyers with full transparency and indicates that your listing price accounts for the required replacement or repairs.
If you replace your roof or handle all necessary repairs, provide your buyer with a roof certification verifying your roofs condition and lifespan for added confidence. Your roof inspector can provide this document for an added $75 to $200 the letter remains valid for 2 to 5 years after the inspection.
Alternatively, if you go without a pre-listing roof inspection and subsequent disclosure, you bite your teeth waiting on findings from the buyers home inspection. If the report reveals your roof is on the brink, it opens the floodgates for renegotiations mid-contract. Jennifer Oldham explains:
If you dont have these reports up front, somebody can do their inspection, their due diligence, and then when they put in an offer, later come back and say, well we didnt know theres $10,000 worth of damage on the roof. We want those credits or you need to repair the roof.
Now youre on the hook for making repairs or conceding to lower the sale price to close the deal not worth the gamble.
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Main Signs Its Time To Replace The Roof
When your roofs age is starting to show, reach out to experts for a reliable assessment. Youll know its time to replace your roof if the following apply:
- Your roof shows signs of wear and is reaching the end of its average life expectancy.
- A roof inspector recommends that you replace the roof after a detailed inspection.
- Your real estate agent advises that a new roof will help your property sell, recouping a significant portion of your investment.
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Potential Signs That Your Roof May Need To Be Replaced:
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When To Replace Your Roof: How To Tell If Its Time
Last time you climbed up a ladder and cleaned out your gutters, you got a magnified view of your roof. A few turned up shingles, moss, some rust action are these blemishes normal, or are they signs that you need a new roof?
When you start noticing your roofs age, bring in the experts to determine if its time for a replacement. Roof damage can lead to leaks and cause significant structural damage. Plus, beyond protecting your home, your roof plays a key role in curb appeal when its time to sell.
We want our houses to look as good as possible from the curb and from the photographs. And now that we use a lot of aerial shots and drone shots, the roof is much more visible. So its just that much more important that the roof looks good, shares top real estate agent Andrew Oldham, who, along with his partner Jennifer Oldham, sells 70% more single-family homes in San Jose than the average agent.
Dont let a roof in disrepair bring down your homes value. Follow these six steps to determine if you need to replace your roof.
How To Know When You Need A New Roof
High-quality shingles, when correctly installed, will provide 10 to 20 years of service, barring potential damage from storms or falling tree limbs. Because new roofs are expensive, most homeowners want to get the most out of their existing roof before shelling out a chunk of change for a new one. The age of your existing roof is less important than its condition. Some older roofs are still going strong at 15 years, while others need replacing a couple of years after installation. Youll save money by knowing what signs indicate the need for a new roof.
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Sign #1: Gutters On The Ground
Roof shingles rely on an overlapping system to be fully functional, and these tiles are kept in place by sealants that act as glue. If you notice parts of tiles or excessive amounts of granular material on the floor or in the gutters, your roof might be telling you something.
Tiles are made to last for years, but these tiles tend to get exposed to constant and extreme changes in the atmosphere, which most likely be the cause of sealants losing strength that eventually will cause tiles to weaken, crack and chip off parts. It is important to check your roof if the weather permits. If not, you might evidently notice parts or granules of your tiles on the floor or in the gutter, and it might be time to call your roof repairman, or for you to change or repair your roof before those chipped off parts hurt someone.
Get in touch with Findley Roofing & Building Yorkshire to arrange a free, no obligation roof health check today.
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