The decisions you make concerning your roof can impact your home’s comfort and energy efficiency for years. For many homeowners, just thinking about the cost of replacing your roof can make your stomach flip. Fortunately, if you catch the damage as soon as possible, you’ll only have to call for a quick patch or repair. Keep reading to learn how you can determine if your roof needs to be repaired or entirely replaced.
Signs You Need Repair
Not every roof issue means all of your shingles need to be changed. Particularly heavy storms can shake shingles loose and allow tree branches to crash into your home. You may only need a slight roof repair if the damage is contained in a small area and isn’t impacting the interior. Here are a few of the most common causes behind needing roof repairs.
Storm Damage
Wind, hail, and other storm damage can strip and scratch your shingles. Depending on how long the storm rages, you could have surface-level damage present across your roof. It only becomes a concern when it impacts your roof’s structural integrity. For example, if your shingles have come loose or are letting water into the home, you’ll need to call for repairs. A roofer will tell you the full extent of the damage and what sort of service you need. If your roof is relatively new, you’ll likely only require a small, inexpensive patch job.
Small Leaks
Any water leaks in the home can have a huge impact on your walls, floors, and foundation. These leaks often start around the chimney flashing, but they can also start around your eaves or in bare spots. Any water leak has the potential to cause house-wide issues like fungus growth, water stains, structural damage, and more. Modern roofs utilize building materials like tar and rubber, which tend to degrade faster than the shingles themselves. If the leak is contained in areas with these fragile materials, a quick repair can limit the spread of any water in the home. However, if there are several leaks across the roof, a replacement may be the safer option.
Installation Issues
No one wants to pay an exorbitant amount for a roofing installation only to find it was completed poorly. Inexperienced or untrained roofers often use excessive amounts of tar when installing the flashing and other small corner pieces. If your new roof immediately has a leak or doesn’t quite look right, call our team to come out for an inspection. With a few repairs and adjustments, you shouldn’t have any problems with your home’s new roof for the foreseeable future.
Ventilations Concerns
Your roof has a direct impact on your home’s internal temperature and comfort. Your home needs proper ventilation and air circulation to keep the air fresh and of a higher quality. Improperly installed roofs will impede your home’s natural ventilation, leading to condensation on the roof deck. If the deck’s plywood is consistently damp, it can cause fungus growth and rotting. It will also make it harder to keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer. If your roofer accidentally covered the ridge vent or other necessary ventilation components, we can easily fix the issue and restore your home’s temperature control.
Signs You Need Replacement
Some residential roofing issues can’t be repaired easily. When the damage is too extreme or extensive, it’s most cost-efficient to get a fresh start with new shingles. Leaving an old roof in place will only rack up your costs and start to affect other parts of your home, like your walls and foundation. These symptoms may mean it’s time to consider a professional roofing replacement.
Age
Not every roofing material has the same projected lifespan. For example, asphalt shingles need replacing every 15 to 20 years. Premium architectural asphalt shingles have the potential to last up to 30 years with proper roofing care. Other roofs like metal and clay can stay strong for upwards of 50 years. Once your roof reaches the end of its lifespan, it’s more susceptible to issues like cracking, blistering, and curling. At this point, repairing a new leak will only provide security for a few months at best. Rather than risk more damage and repair costs in the near future, it’s better to go with a new roof that guarantees security for decades.
Missing Shingles
It’s normal for a shingle or two to come off after a heavy storm. However, your shingles shouldn’t be coming loose and leaving bare roof spots at random. Missing shingles often point to a serious underlying issue. The roof deck may be compromised or the roof itself could have been installed improperly. Loose or absent shingles allow water to seep into the attic and eaves, increasing your risk of rot, growth, and interior home damage.
Sagging
If you notice your roof is sagging in places, immediately call for roofing service. Roof sagging is often caused by water damage, heavy windstorms or snowfall, or foundation problems. It’s also possible your roofing deck or shingles were made of inferior, low-quality materials. When your roof begins to sag, it means it’s losing structural integrity. At some point in the future, it may develop holes or collapse completely inward. The only way to fix this problem is to pull up the shingles and roof deck and completely replace them.
Degenerated Shingles
You should regularly be checking your roof and gutters for any visible exterior damage or changes. Older shingles can begin to crumble and loose granules that then clog up the gutters. You may find your shingles shrinking, blistering, or holding a lot of algae and moss. Extensive growth often points to moisture issues that can compromise the strength and lifespan of your roof deck. These problems are likely to be present across your roof, which makes a replacement a necessity.
Chimney Flashing Damage
The chimney flashing is the metal protective layer that connects your roof to your chimney. This component stops moisture from entering your chimney and damaging your home’s vital structural elements. The flashing is often the first part to have issues when your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan. The flashing in older roofs in particular was usually installed with copious amounts of materials like plastic or tar, which aren’t able to withstand decades of extreme sunlight and precipitation. If you notice your flashing is rusting, missing pieces, or looks damaged, you may be due for a roof replacement soon.
Quality Alabama and Florida Roofing
Quality Roofing has been delivering top-notch residential and commercial roofing services in Pensacola, FL, and the surrounding areas for more than 16 years. We value your complete satisfaction, which is why we always provide honest and prompt communication. Our team is highly skilled and certified to handle any type of roofing material, from architectural shingles to concrete tile to metal. Let us repair, replace or maintain your residential, commercial, or multi-family building. We also offer thorough and cost-free roof inspections that help you determine the best service for your unique home. Call Quality Roofing today to schedule your next roofing appointment along the Gulf Coast.
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