Why You Might Need a New Roof

The Most Common Reasons for a New Roof

If you find yourself saying, “I think I need a new roof,” but aren’t sure if that is the case, this article shares the most common reasons homeowners replace their roofs. The life of your roof is dependent on the kind of materials used, the weather conditions in your geographic area and even the micro-climate that can age a roof. Oh, and don’t forget, you may need to factor in the amount of vegetation that regularly lands on your roof and how you maintain it. Do you need a new roof?

What Are the Signs to Look for?

Most professionals will tell you that a roof will last 20 to 25 years from the time of installation, when maintained properly.  So the first step is to ask yourself, “How old is my roof?” The second step is to actually take a look. If you can safely observe the surface of your roof from a ladder, here are the most common problems to look for:

  1. Cracked tiles or buckled, curling shingles
  2. Dark mossy patches where moisture pools
  3. Bald spots where shingles are missing graduals
  4. Tiles or shingles that are missing altogether
  5. Overall look of the roof is worn and dried out

Some of these conditions may point to simple problem spots that a repair can address. However, when the majority of your roof is looking close to its end date, making plans for a new roof is a wise idea. A roof in a weakened state is more likely to incur serious damage even during a moderate storm, putting the interior of your home at risk.

Now, during this fine fall weather, is a great time to take a look at your roof and see how well it is aging. This is also a good time to take a look at the roofs on other homes, to get an idea of what colors and materials you might like to consider for your own new roof. Not all roofing materials are right for every style roof, so keep that in mind. In fact, there are some great resources available online to help you think through this process and find out what to consider when choosing a new roof.  But before you go that far, you can get some real live advice.

What to Do Next?

Now that you know the reasons why you might need to replace your roof, you can set up an appointment to have a qualified roofing specialist take a look. That’s the next step in really determining if you need a new roof or not. Contact us today.