Homeowners often neglect their roofing system until it begins to leak or other serious damage occurs. In most cases, roofing issues can be discovered way before major (and expensive) problems happen. If you notice cracked, warped or missing shingles, broken flashing, loose seams, or large amounts of shingle granules in the gutter, it’s time to call a roofing contractor. Cracked paint, peeling wallpaper or wall coverings, and discolored plasterboard can also indicate roof damage. Periodic inspections can help uncover potential problems and allow you to address them before they become a major investment.
There are a few ways to determine if it’s time to replace your roofing system.
Age: Roofing systems generally last around 2 decades. If your roof is approaching 20 years of age, it’s near the end of its useful life.
Leaks: If you see evidence of water leaking inside to your home, it probably has been leaking for quite a while. Water can damage rafters, plywood sheathing, ceilings, walls and more. Extensive structural damage can create a huge problem for homeowners. It’s often cheaper and less involved to simply replace the roof before it begins to leak.
Appearance: Shingles that have begun to curl, break, or warp are a good indication that it’s time for a reroofing service.
Although it may seem advantageous to install new shingles on top of your old roof because it’s cheaper, faster, and requires less labor, you could be setting yourself up for future costs (and headaches). Unless your current roofing system is completely problem free and only features a single layer of functioning shingles, your new roofing system may fail way too soon.
Many roofing contractors may be willing to simply nail new shingles on top of old shingles, but we always advises stripping the old materials complete off, all the way down to the deck, and then adding the new materials. Any defects, vulnerabilities, and potential problems in the plywood deck or truss system will go unnoticed unless you de-nail & re-nail.
How can I tell if my roof is in need of repair or maintenance?
Homeowners often neglect their roofing system until it begins to leak or other serious damage occurs. In most cases, roofing issues can be discovered way before major (and expensive) problems happen. If you notice cracked, warped or missing shingles, broken flashing, loose seams, or large amounts of shingle granules in the gutter, it’s time to call a roofing contractor. Cracked paint, peeling wallpaper or wall coverings, and discolored plasterboard can also indicate roof damage. Periodic inspections can help uncover potential problems and allow you to address them before they become a major investment.
How will I know when it’s time to replace my roof?
There are a few ways to determine if it’s time to replace your roofing system.
Age: Roofing systems generally last around 2 decades. If your roof is approaching 20 years of age, it’s near the end of its useful life.
Leaks: If you see evidence of water leaking inside to your home, it probably has been leaking for quite a while. Water can damage rafters, plywood sheathing, ceilings, walls and more. Extensive structural damage can create a huge problem for homeowners. It’s often cheaper and less involved to simply replace the roof before it begins to leak.
Appearance: Shingles that have begun to curl, break, or warp are a good indication that it’s time for a reroofing service.
Can a new roof be installed on top of my old roof?
Although it may seem advantageous to install new shingles on top of your old roof because it’s cheaper, faster, and requires less labor, you could be setting yourself up for future costs (and headaches). Unless your current roofing system is completely problem free and only features a single layer of functioning shingles, your new roofing system may fail way too soon.
Many roofing contractors may be willing to simply nail new shingles on top of old shingles, but we always advises stripping the old materials complete off, all the way down to the deck, and then adding the new materials. Any defects, vulnerabilities, and potential problems in the plywood deck or truss system will go unnoticed unless you de-nail & re-nail.