Most people don't give their home's roof much thought until there is a problem, such as a leak or obvious damage from a storm. Minor damage may simply necessitate repair, but unless your roof is assuredly young, the savvy homeowner recognizes the wisdom of replacing their roof before it becomes problematic. But how do you know when it's time?
A Roofing Contractor Tells You
Ideally, you have an ongoing relationship with a roofing contractor. You should call a contractor to conduct a thorough annual inspection. Your roof is just too important to the health of the rest of your home to ignore this necessity.
The best time to schedule an annual inspection is early autumn, especially if you live in a climate that receives a lot of ice and snow. If roof repairs or replacement are deemed necessary, a contractor can still complete the job before winter arrives and it becomes too cold for the materials or too dangerous for the crew.
In areas with extreme winter conditions, you may want to schedule semi-annual inspections, once in fall and then again in early spring. Heavy snow and ice loads can cause a lot of damage over winter, and you want reassurance that your roof is in good shape before the rainy season begins.
In addition to a regular annual or semi-annual inspection, you should contact a roofing contractor anytime a major storm rolls through, especially one with high winds. Regular inspections and roofing repairs can extend the life of your roof.
The Calendar Tells You So
You likely keep records when you change the oil in your vehicle or have a mechanic service it for another matter, such as brake replacement. As such, every homeowner should also keep a manual for their house as well, and if you don't currently maintain one, now is the time to start.
This manual should include detailed records regarding home maintenance tasks as well as information about the mechanical and structural components of the house. Any information given to you by the previous homeowner, if applicable, should also be included in this manual, along with owner's manuals, purchase orders and receipts, and warranty information.
Check through your compendium to see what information you have on the health, maintenance, and age of your roof. You can expect a typical single-layer shingle roof to last 20-25 years while a roof overlay — a roof that was put over an existing roof — needs to be replaced at 20 years.
Your House Tells You
You don't want to get to the point where your house is the one to tell you it's time for a new roof because this is often indicative you have bigger problems. Perform your own mini inspection if you suspect a problem. Begin with the interior of your home, starting in the attic. Grab a flashlight and head up to your attic during the day.
If you can see beams of sunlight coming through in any area, you have a problem. Look closer for any signs of previous water damage. If you see matted insulation, rot, or streaks running down, it's likely the leak isn't new. If you find signs of a leak in your attic, check the areas directly below. Carefully inspect the ceilings for any discoloration, obvious water damage, or sagging.
In addition, move outdoors and visually inspect your roof from the ground. Do you see any missing shingles? Are your shingles fade, dried up, and curling? Is the roofline sagging? Are there shingles on the ground? If so, and you know your roof is in its golden years, it's probably time for a new roof. For more information, contact a roofing company.
