How to tell if your Roof needs replacement

As you were putting away some stuff in the attic, you realize that your roof has small cracks and holes with light shining through them. You, my friend, need a roof replacement.

The time after which you might need to replace your roof depends greatly on what kind of roofing you have installed. Most houses in America are installed with shingle roofing. Lightweight, cheap, easy to install and great insulation properties make it the perfect type of roofing. Shingles can be made out of a lot of different materials which include plastics, stale and composites, with asphalt being the most used one. Shingle roofing has an average life of about 20 years. But you might still need to contact your roofing repair company as there is a chance you might need to repair your roofing earlier than that.

The other type is Tile roofing and is a bit rare in North America. But is more popular worldwide. Tiles are heavier and have more strength than your typical shingle roofing which gives them extra endurance. Tile roofing can last for up to a century for it needs to be replaced and mostly have a warranty for up to 50 years.

So how do you know whether you need a replacement? The answer can be tricky sometimes but we aim to make it easier for you.

There are two main parts of checking your roof for signs of damage.

Interior roof checking

The first and the easiest part of checking whether your roof needs replacement is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic.

1.      Daylight through roof

Before turning your light on, examine the roof board for any cracks r holes from where light is shining through. If you can see light getting through your roof, which means water is getting through it too. In that case, you need to call a roofing repair company to replace your roof immediately.

2.      Water damage

Before going any deeper into your investigation, look for any obvious signs of water damage. If you see any sort of leaking or rotting of roof. You should immediately get your roof checked.

3.      Dark water stain marks or Streaks

The next thing you want to look for is any dark marks of stains or streaks on your roof and running down your walls. This is a sign of water leaking through your roof and damaging not only your roof but also your houses’ interior.

4.      Soft or saggy areas

Once the water starts penetrating your roof, it can make your roof soggy and weak. It can be identified by looking for any sagging in your roof. If you see something like that, use your hand or a stick to check if that spot is soft or not. If it is soft then it means your roof has moisture damage.

Exterior Roof checking

The next step here is to check the exterior, grab a ladder and examine your rooftop for any of these signs.

1.      Rot

Mostly common when it comes to Asphalt and wooden roofs. If you see missing or rotten tiles, or maybe mold buildup on a group of tiles. That means your roof is rotting and decaying and you need to contact your roofing repair company immediately.

2.      Granules in gutter

If you see pieces and granules of your roofing in the gutter. That is a clear sign that your roofing needs replacement.

3.      Roof valley

Where two parts of the roof meet is known as a roof valley. These are most susceptible to damage as water and snow flow through these into gutters. Pay special attention to these.