Roof Replacement and The Signs You Need to Know

Most people know that they need to replace their roofs eventually. The average lifespan of a roof is around 20 years, and most roofs last considerably less than that. For those living in colder or wetter climates, roofs will need to be replaced more frequently. However, many homeowners never get around to replacing their roofs because they do not realize that there are specific signs of damage that indicate a roof replacement is necessary as soon as possible.

Roof Replacement When The Roof Is Old

For most people, when they think about when they should replace their roof, the first thing that comes to mind is how old the existing roof is. There’s no denying that age is one of the big factors when it comes to deciding whether or not you should invest in new shingles right away or save your pennies for something better later on down the road. If you discover (or suspect) that your roof is over 20 years old, you should start looking into roof replacement companies in your area.

You Have Noticed Small Roof Leaks

Another sign of a potentially damaged roof is small leaks. These leaks may be anywhere on the roof and can sometimes go undetected for months or even years before they lead to bigger problems like mold and wet ceilings. Mold growth and wet ceilings are not only expensive to clean up (but possible health hazards as well), but they also indicate that it’s time for a new rooftop if you want to avoid further water damage down the road.

The Roof Is Warping

The most obvious signs that you need a new roof are when shingles begin to warp from sun exposure, wind, ice accumulation, etc. As the other layers of your roof continue to age, they may begin to warp or curl up, which can allow water into the home. This not only damages the inside of your home but also makes it even more likely for you to develop mold growth in your house if left unaddressed.

Shingles Are Missing

Missing shingles could indicate several problems with your roof. It might be time for a replacement if there are too many missing shingles and/or you have noticed areas where water is getting through easily. In some cases, shingles might simply blow off during particularly harsh weather conditions (like high winds), but even this is a problem that should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

The Roof Is Leaking Inside

Roof leaks are some of the most common problems that homeowners face, which may explain why so many homeowners neglect their roofs until it is almost too late. One of the most obvious signs that your roof needs replaced is when you start noticing leaks inside your home during rainstorms. These are typically found around chimneys, skylights, vents, or dormers. If you notice water spots on ceilings or walls near these areas after rainfall or snowfall, then you should get in touch with a professional for an evaluation right away. And leaks can cause serious damage to your home, which will necessitate a total roof replacement. If you see water coming through your ceiling, call an emergency roofing contractor immediately.

Curling shingles

Asphalt shingles are made out of fiberglass or organic material reinforced with asphalt to seal the seams between the pieces. This means that when they get old, they become brittle and break down easily, especially if they’re exposed to high winds. When this happens, the shingles curl up at the edges, allowing moisture under your roof tiles. This can lead to leaks and other damage to your roof structure that may only increase in severity over time if it isn’t fixed right away.

Sagging shingles

Asphalt shingles will sag if they’re old enough, or if their underlying roof structure is damaged or deteriorated. If your shingles are sagging noticeably, it’s a good sign that the rest of the structural elements have been worn down as well and may not be far from needing to be replaced. If you notice cracks running through your roof tiles at a diagonal angle instead of straight across them, this means that there’s a significant pressure pushing them apart from opposite directions. While this can happen even when your roof is structurally sound, it usually indicates that something else has gone wrong — either there’s too much weight on for how old the structure below is, or the structure itself is deteriorating.

Siamese or “double” shingles

When you notice that your asphalt shingles are joined together at the edges, it’s a sign that there’s not enough support beneath them to hold their weight properly. This can be another indication of structural damage beneath the tiles, which only poses further problems if it isn’t taken care of immediately. Additionally, this problem makes the roof more likely to leak because there won’t be proper airflow between different areas on top of it. If your roof has Siamese shingles, have an expert come take a look and recommend what sort of plan for fixing them will work best.

Damage to ventilation equipment

Ventilation equipment is essential to the health and well-being of your home. Roof vents, ridge vents, and soffit vents work to reduce pressure inside your attic by allowing hot air to escape through the roof during the summer and warm air to escape through the eaves in winter. When these vents become clogged or damaged by high winds, however, they allow heat and moisture to build up in your attic. This can lead to a variety of problems including ice damming on your roof in winter, mildew growth in humid weather, and attics that are much hotter than the outside air during warm weather.

Shingle granules have all been washed away

One of the major indicators that it’s time for a new roof installation is when all the shingle granules on your roof have washed away. Asphalt shingles are coated with rubberized asphalt to protect them from UV rays and weathering, which means that once all the granules are gone, nothing is protecting your roof anymore. And this means that your roof is likely to start breaking apart at any time, which will necessitate a full roof replacement.

If you notice any of these problems with your current roof, it’s time to call an emergency roofing contractor immediately. Make sure that you protect your home and family by getting the new roof installation that they need before it’s too late! Keep us in mind the next time you’re looking for an excellent contractor! We are experts at our trade and are thrilled to help with whatever projects you have going on at your property. Contact Galveston County Roofing today so we can improve both the safety and look of your home or commercial space.