Despite your best efforts, your home’s roofing system won’t last forever. Eventually, it’ll be less expensive to replace your entire roof than to keep replacing shingles or tiles, fixing or replacing flashing, replacing insulation due to leaks and making other repairs.
By knowing and recognizing the signs that your roof has reached an advanced age, you can save yourself the costs of further damage to your home. Here are four of the most common signs your roof is reaching the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
- There are signs of moisture. Some of the telltale signs that you have a leak include water stains on the ceiling, a damp smell in certain parts of the home and water-drip marks on the walls. While signs of moisture can sometimes be caused by water getting past a broken shingle, missing tiles or damaged flashing systems, it can also be caused by an aging roof. Leaking water can necessitate new insulation, can cause harmful and/or toxic mold to develop, can damage electrical wiring and cause structural damage to your home.
- The roof is sagging. Your home’s roof should never sag, as weight should be distributed evenly down to the roof joints. It’s designed specifically to bear weight in case of ice and snow loads or other debris. Ice dams that have trapped snow and water on your roof can prove disastrous for roof integrity. Installing new roofing material over older roofing material can also lead to bowing or sagging, especially when the rest of the roofing structure ages. Examine the underside of your roof from the attic in addition to looking at the outside line of your roof to determine if your roof is sagging.
- There are areas of failed flashing. Your roof’s flashing system plays an important role in sealing off areas where your roof is joined to other structures. Damaged flashing means your roof is no longer effectively weatherproofed, so that water can seep through the gaps. It can be hard to tell whether your roof’s flashing is aging or if they’ve been pulled free by wind or debris. Have a roofing contractor take a look at your flashing periodically to ensure the system is in good shape.
- You have more expensive energy bills. Sometimes poor insulation isn’t the cause of your high energy bills. An aging roof will have a hard time keeping moisture and cold air from creeping into your home, causing your HVAC system to work overtime to keep your home warm. If you know your roof is getting older and your energy bills have been steadily on the rise, it might be time to have professional roofers come to take a look at your roof.
If your roof is nearing the end of its life, you’re not alone. Approximately one in four homeowners admit that they never inspect their roof or have it inspected unless they suspect roof damage, but not servicing your roof can cause it to age more rapidly.
Looking for a trusted residential roof replacement company?
The good news is that Select Construction has the new residential roof construction services you need to protect your home. For more information about our residential roof replacement experience and services, contact Select Construction today.