Every homeowner knows that maintaining your property demands time and effort. Add to this a decent amount of money as well.

This upkeep forms the foundation of safety and maximum comfort inside your home. After all, you do tend to invest more towards maintaining your house the longer you reside; in it.

One of the constraints concerning the structure of your home that requires detailed attention is the roof. The roof plays the role of a barrier, sheltering you, and protecting your privacy.

No building is complete with a roof. A roof adds grace, visibility, and dynamism to a structure and thus demands care and concern.

Before going ahead with the decision of entirely altering your roof, you must look at a few signs that determine whether it’s the correct time for a change.

When it Concerns Roofs, Age isn’t Just A Number

The primary factor to consider before you investigate your roof for signs of deterioration is its age. Many times, homeowners forget to consider the timeline of when the roof was installed and jump to conclusions. It results in extensive spending and loss of comfort.

A roof aging over thirty years old may need a complete replacement even if it appears decent on the outside. It may look in proper shape but tells a different story upon investigation.

Older and traditional roofs are generally of materials that aren’t in use today. They may not even be as strong as the ones currently available in the market. As a result, your thirty to forty-year-old roof becomes useless.

Once your roof crosses the thirty-year mark, it may be time for a thorough investigation to find out its potency and life expectancy. In most cases, you might have to replace the entire roof.

This sign is the first you should look out for when considering to replace your roof. You may save up on a lot of money and time if your roof is still in its prime age. It may even be so that your roof just needs minor work if the number works out for you!

Issues with the Shingles

Surveying the shingles of your roof is another way to ascertain whether it’s time to replace your roof. During the inspection of the shingles, be sure to look for cracks and bent or curled shingles. Curled shingles could be a strong indication that your roof has issues.

Misshapen or cracked shingles may need further investigation to determine whether they need an individual replacement or whether you’re better off replacing the roof altogether.

Another parameter to consider is the shingle granules on the roof. Excessive shingle granules indicate that your roof is in dire need of a replacement. It also exhibits that your roof can’t perform in terms of insulation and safety.

Hail Damage on the Roof

Guys, hail is a natural phenomenon, and you can’t do anything about it. That’s a fact. Sometimes a hailstone might hit the roof shingles and puncture them. In most cases, hailstones may knock off the layer of shingle granules.

Whenever shingles are devoid of their granules, they become more susceptible to UV rays. It may also result in the loss of more granules causing further damage.

Now, here’s where your smartness could come into use. The hail damage isn’t so evident initially. Look out for a spot you think might have some issues caused by the hail, and check if that spot is losing out on granules by the day. That’s your target.

The best way for you to investigate hail damage could be to hire a roofing contractor.

Mold and Moisture are Partners in Crime

Mold and moisture are two factors that seem to pose a threat to the efficiency of your roof. If your attic doesn’t have proper ventilation, the warm air could get trapped. It leads to condensation on the underside of the roof, causing corrosion on the nails.

The rust formation due to the corrosion is what gives rise to the unruly and damage-causing mold. If mold is not taken care of at the right time, the plywood might deteriorate, and you’ll require a brand-new roof.

The issue could happen with new as well as old roofs because of over-insulation. An efficient roof requires a relevant intake and exhaust system.

If you think that your ventilation system in the attic has a lapse, you could save on the extra cost of replacing the entire roof by a simple investigation. It may turn out that the intake and exhaust system need an upgrade.

Difference Between the Attic and the Outer Temperature

You must understand the temperature in your attic needs to be on par with the outside temperature. For this to work smoothly, the attic must have an appropriate ventilation system that circulates the air.

This ventilation is crucial to prevent the formation of ice dams. Any attic that’s warmer than the outside temperature is prone to ice dams. Poor ventilation in the attic also causes the peeling of paint or plaster.

Your roof should possess a ridge vent to eliminate the excess moisture and prevent damage to the paint. It could also save on your heating and cooling costs.

Exposed Nails

Exposed nails are a clear sign of a damaged roof. If you witness multiple exposed nails in the shingles on your roof, you may need to investigate some more.

Exceedingly exposed nails could symbolize cracks or a leak in your roofing system. It also indicates poor craftsmanship on behalf of your roofing contractors.

If this happens, you could bring in a roofing contractor to have a look and investigate further if your roof needs a replacement altogether or is salvageable.

Algae Growth

Bacteria that eat away at the weatherproofing layer of the roof shingles give rise to the growth of algae on it. Certain manufacturing companies make use of filler ingredients such as limestone to cut on production costs.

The algae will eat at this limestone and compromise the properties of the roof shingles. It’s something that you want to avoid at all costs. Algae function as a silent killer and eat away at the waterproofing layer of the roof if not taken care of. Read more about this problem here!

Right Type of Flashing

The flashing surrounding the chimneys, vents, and skylights will seal off the roof seam from the weather. You must examine these points to check there aren’t any cracks, which could result in unwanted leaks.

In traditional homes, flashing is generally made of cement, but it might be useful for you to upgrade to a metal brand for prolonged service life.

What’s Your Next Step?

Every homeowner invests their blood and sweat along with their earnings to build themselves a haven that’s their home. You’ll take every calculated step backed with research to increase the efficiency and service life of your home.

At any point in time, if you do find indications in the form of the mentioned issues to your roof, it’s serious.

But what are the steps to follow during this season of change?

• Consider a preliminary investigation yourself with all safety precautions such as a helmet, gloves, and a flashlight.
• Regulate your findings.
• Don’t be a handyman. Contact a roofing contractor for more convenience.
• Determine the notes from your contractor and understand if a change is necessary.

Alterations or replacing a roof can be quite daunting and may seem like work that demands a lot. Even though it requires much time, as long as your roofing contractor is on the right track, your work will turn out to be seamless.

When it comes to roofing alterations in New Jersey, you could find more information in the New Jersey Administrative Code. Alternatively, you can find other details such as roofing materials, reroofing, roof insulation, and much more here.

Relax

Just because you found a few damaged shingles on your roof isn’t the end of the world. You shouldn’t immediately assume that you need to replace the roof. If your roof was installed some fifteen to twenty years ago, it may just require few minor repairs.

Whenever in doubt about your roofing system, it’s advisable to get a professional opinion.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason that roofs are the topmost element of your house. The job of the roof is to protect the inhabitants of the house and add a graceful appearance.

But, what’s your job? You might think that building or purchasing a house is easy and that’s it. However, that’s where your job begins.

Your roof requires maintenance, care, and concern in terms of prolonging its life and performance. That’s what every homeowner wants, doesn’t it?

In conclusion, the possibilities are countless and your answer may lie with an architect in partnership with the general contractor. And what’s fun is that you to understand how the roof works.