When Should You Get A New Roof
Do you have a roof leak? Are you wondering if you need a full roof replacement? If so, you need to know when you should get a new roof.
Thats why you need to look for the signs that its the right time for a roof replacement. But what are they? Luckily, weve broken it down for you.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services to the residents of Nashville since 1990. Whether you need repairs or a full roof replacement, you can count on our workmanship to maximize your investment. When you work with us, youll never worry about your roof again.
So, when should you get a new roof? Always eager to help you understand your roof, Im going to answer that and more.
Your Attic Has Great Natural Light
If your roof is approaching the end of its expected lifespan, or you have other reason to suspect that you might need a new roof, the first place to check is the attic or crawlspace.
Its often much easier to tell if there are holes, cracks, or leaks in the roof from underneath than from above.
One reason for this is that accessing the crawlspace is usually safer and more straightforward than accessing the roof, especially if you have a sloped roof.
Its also easier to detect sunlight streaming in through a hole or crack in the ceiling of your attic than to try and find small defects in the roof beneath your feet.
The first giveaway that you need a new roof will often be a leak in within the attic or top floor or your home. But keep in mind that a leak does not always mean you need an entirely new roof.
Take steps to manage leaks as well as you can before professional help arrives, and have the damage analyzed by a licensed contractor before more extensive damage occurs.
Sign #: Debris In Gutters
Check your gutters for pieces of asphalt shingles or sand-like granules that are used as a top coat this material protects your tiles, and if granules are falling from your tiles and into your gutters, then it could be a sign that your shingles are deteriorating. Of course, a few loose granules are normal, but if you notice an increase in residue, this may be a warning sign.
The protective coating of a roof tends to slough off due to atmospheric changes, constant exposure to weather, long-term usage and moisture, which causes the asphalt to weaken. Therefore, you should aim to repair tiles and replace their protective coating on a regular basis.
You should also check for debris falling from trees nesting on your roof, as this can cause the coating of your roof to weaken. Therefore, regular garden maintenance is important.
Make sure that you inspect your roof regularly in broad daylight, and if you notice deformed, distorted, curled areas, or tiles bald from their protective coating, then you may need to make some roof repairs. And, if you live in North Yorkshire, give us a call. Wed be happy to have our Harrogate roofers take a look at your property and recommend repairs.
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Schedule Your Free Quote Today
Dont make the call to repair or replace on your own. Fields Roof Service is an experienced roofer with over 60 years of experience. Well ensure that you make the right decision, and well guide you through every step of the phase. Call us at , or you can fill out our .
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First Consider The Age Of Your Roof
Roofs dont last forever, even though some have a lifespan of nearly a lifetime. Before you dive into replacing your roof or passing it off as a worry for next year, take into account its age. Not just the time youve had your home, but how long the roof has been on your home since before you bought it.
If you cant remember or simply dont know heres what you should do:
- Ask the previous owners if you have their contact information .
- Track down the building permit by contacting your countys building department. Youll want to look for when the roofing permit was awarded.
- Get an estimate from a pro, either a roofing company or a home inspector.
Once you know how old your roof is, compare the age to the average lifespan for your type of roof. This will give you an idea of when you should start considering a roof replacement.
- Asphalt Shingles
Replace Every 15 to 30 Years
- Architectural Shingles
Replace Every 25 to 30 Years
- Metal
Replace Every 70 Years
Roof age and life expectancy is a guide rather than a rule. Younger roofs, under certain circumstances, will need to be replaced sooner. If your roof was put to the test by a major storm, hurricane, or a harsher-than-expected winter you may want to consider having it inspected by a roofing professional. Regular inspections are not only good cautionary measures, they can catch small problems before they become large ones.
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Need A New Roof Get One Today
If you need a new roof on your home, you should start looking around for one that you like now. A roof is arguably the most important part of a home, so you should spend your time choosing one thats right for your house.
You should also look for other simple ways that you can improve your home. You dont always have to spend thousands of dollars to make your home look significantly better.
Check out our blog to find out more useful tips that you can use in your everyday life.
Curling Or Buckling Shingles
When shingles start to curl or buckle, its a sign that theyre not longer properly attached and have likely already sustained damage. The curved surface can be caught by a strong wind, leading to further damage next time it storms. In some cases, a qualified roof repair company can replace specific shingles, but the problem can signal a larger problem.
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Check The Outside Of Your Roof
Interior roof checks only help determine if your roof has already suffered a breach. Checking the outside of your roof is how you identify and mitigate any problems before they affect the interior structure of your roof as well. Here are the most important things to pay attention to when performing an exterior roof check:
- Rotting A rotting roof cannot adequately protect your home from water damage. Rotten tiles can easily be broken off during a strong storm. Since Florida is prone to hurricanes, a rotting roof structure can compromise your entire home.
- Moss and Algae Build-up Moss and algae growth is common on many Florida rooftops, mainly because of the regions hot and humid climate. Although moss and algae build-up is more of an eyesore than a direct sign of rood decay, excessive growth can lead to rapid roof deterioration due to humidity.
- Missing or Decaying Shingles If you notice any spots with missing shingles, your roof is due for a repair and likely a complete replacement. If there are any places on your roof with several cracked, curling, or buckling shingles, you should consider installing a new roof.
- Granules in your Gutters Regardless of your roofs age, you should regularly check your gutters to make sure theyre draining correctly. While inspecting your gutters, pay attention to any shingle granules. A chipping roof means that a replacement is due, as shingles tend to lose more granules toward the end of their life cycle.
Signs You Need A New Roof
When trying to determine if you need a new roof, ask yourself the following: How old is your roof? Does it look worn or have stains? When was the last time it was inspected? Did you just get hit with severe weather? Have you noticed a leak or water stains on your ceiling? Proactively answering these questions will help you decide whether you should repair or replace your roof.
Here are some major signs that its time to replace your roof:
During this self-inspection look for:
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Mold Airborne Algae And Moss
Do you think the stains on your clothes are bad? While they may look bad, roof stains are not only an eyesore, they are actually a sign that your roof is starting to attract organic buildup.
Getting your roof cleaned might seem a bit funny, but when moss, algae, and mold starts to grow on your roof, this is a bad thing that will need to be addressed!
Often apparent signs of roof leaks and exposed parts of your roof to moisture can be found in the spawning of mold, algae, and moss.
Generally, loose, damaged, or missing shingles can actually trap moisture giving life to these three to spawn. If left untreated, roof leaks can accumulate and begin eating at your roofs structural components like roof boards, causing it to rot and further damage your roof.
Also make your roof have lousy curb appeal, as algae can cause dark streaks and so on. Very important! While removing moss and algae and treating the mold may be viable, no need for costly repairs when you can plan ahead!
Holes Drilled On Purpose
Tiny holes in shingles are sneaky because they can cause rot and other damage for years before you notice the obvious signs of a leak. You might find holes left over from satellite dish or antenna mounting brackets or just about anything. And exposed, misplaced roofing nails should be pulled and the holes patched. Small holes are simple to fix, but the fix isnt to inject caulk in the hole. Youll fix this one with flashing and spot replace the roof.
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Your Shingles Are Cupping Clawing Or Curling
Cupping, clawing, and curling are some tell-tale signs that you need another roof. They often follow when you spot cracked shingles and notice disappearing shingle granules.
Cupping and curling shingles will peel away from the roof bed, pointing upwards. In clawing shingles, the ends of the asphalt roofing shingles will stay on the roof while the center parts lift upwards.
All of them are signs that your roof has lost its efficiency and that you should talk to a qualified roofing contractor about installing a new roof.
Remember, you dont have to re-install asphalt roofing shingles you can consider another roofing material. For example, metal roofs dont exhibit curling.
Your Roofing Materials Fail Prematurely
Remember, your roofing materials should live as long as the manufacturer specifies. However, there are cases when your roof fails prematurely and leads to a roof replacement well before you should need one.
Two of the common causes of premature roof failure are improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation. If your roof wasnt installed using correct roofing techniques, youre going to find shingles in your yard or even full sections sliding off your roof.
If your attic wasnt properly ventilated, then the damage from the trapped heat and cold will drastically shorten your roofs life. Be aware, when your roof isnt properly ventilated or properly installed the manufacturers warranty on your roofing materials will be voided.
This leaves you with only your contractors workmanship warranty to fall back on to replace your prematurely failed roof. To learn more about your warranty options, read this article on what roof warranties cover.
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Your Shingles Are Deteriorating Or Missing
Next to unwanted sunlight or moisture in the attic, the most noticeable sign of a roof that needs to be replaced is deteriorating shingles.
If you have a shingled, sloped roof, you can observe the most obvious damage to your shingles from the ground.
To detect more subtle shingle deterioration, youll need to climb up onto your roof.
Once youre there, check to make sure all of the shingles are lying flat. Look for patches that are cracked, lifted, bent, curled, or appear damaged. Smaller areas may be fixed with a quick repair. More extensive the shingle damage or aging will require a roof replacement.
Another sign that your shingles are at the end of their useful life is the shedding of granules. As shingles age, they begin shedding the granules which coat their surface, making them less effective.
To determine whether your shingles are shedding, look for bald patchesareas where the granules are missingand check your gutters for the sand-like grains.
The Roof Has Outlived Its Lifespan
How old is your existing roof? Depending on the material, the lifespan of a roof could be between 20 and 50 years, but it varies by the roofing material.
- Asphalt shingles tend to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years in Florida.
- Metal roofs are more expensive but require few repairs and last 30 to 50 years.
- Clay tiles also fare well in Florida and last 40 years on average.
You should know when your roof was installed so you can estimate the lifespan for your roof. If youre not sure exactly when your roof was installed, you can check home improvement records to find out. It also depends on whether the old roof was removed and you only have one layer of shingles, and if it is properly ventilated. If the roof was installed over another layer or several layers and it is older than 20 years, chances are you need a new roof.
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Life Expectancy Of The Roof
According to most roofing experts, a standard roof should last between 20-25 years, depending on the initial installation and upkeep. If your roof is reaching the end of its life expectancy or is in a bad state of repair, you must arrange to have it replaced to avoid any damage to the interior of your home.
Shingle Pieces In The Yard
Shingles dont always fall off in full strips. For deteriorating roofs, it can be just as typical to see small chunks of shingles in the yard, and its not always easy to see where theyre coming from. Homeowners that notice small pieces of shingles in their yards after a few different windstorms should consider getting a closer look at their roof or calling in a pro to inspect it.
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How To Install Blocking Between Trusses
A roof is one of the most delicate parts of a building, and you need to pay the most attention to it.
The roof is the protective shield of the building, and blockers play vital roles in maintaining the integrity of roofs.
Understanding the essentials and installation methods of truss blockers is crucial when constructing a roof.
Installing blockers between trusses have become integral to a buildings roofing. Most houses use the truss method of roofing blocking between trusses is part of the roofs framework. Blocking between trusses involves measuring, designing, and nailing to keep the trusses from sagging or sliding out of place. It also ensures that roof decks remain flat and in place.
In this article, I will educate you on various areas of blocking and how it applies to trusses.
Blocking also has other applications in rafters which are in some sense similar to that of trusses. You will also learn how to install blockers in between rafters.
What You Need To Consider Before Replacing Your Roof
You just learned that you should get a roof replacement when its the right time for one. You also learned the 3 signs that its the right time for a new roof.
Before calling a roofing contractor or jumping right into the roof replacement process, there are some things you need to consider. To help you even further, were going to give you the 5 main things every homeowner should think about before getting a new roof.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided the residents of Nashville and surrounding areas with high-quality roof replacements since 1990. We take pride in our reputation and are proud to provide you with a lifetime warranty to protect your roof investment. If youre local to Nashville, dont hesitate to contact us for a free no-obligation roof assessment from one of our experts today.
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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.
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