Roofing is one of those home improvement tasks that strikes fear into the hearts of countless homeowners, and many wonders when the need for repairs has simply gotten too much, and when they should consider a complete residential reroof. This can be a tricky question because so many people have different ideas of how much is too much when it comes to repair and maintenance needs. Let’s take a look at how you might know that it’s time to get a complete residential reroof.
Common Signs You Need A Complete Residential Reroof
While there may be countless indicators that your roof needs to be replaced, these signs and symptoms are some of the most common and obvious ones. If you see any of the items on this list, you should contact a trusted local roofer for an immediate inspection.
Obvious Interior Water Damage
The biggest and most urgent sign that you need a new roof is evidence of water damage on your walls, ceilings, or floors. Discoloration in the space where your walls meet the ceiling is a good indicator that the area is staying moist. Wet drywall and plaster can eventually fall, and by then there may be mold in the walls as well.
Check That Your Roof Is Light Tight
One day when it’s nice and bright and sunny outside, go up into your attic or crawlspace and make sure you can’t see any indications of daylight through the roof. Any signs of light can mean water is coming through that same spot during storms.
If Your Roof Has Outlived Its Live Expectancy
If you have shingles and you haven’t replaced them for 30 years, the odds are good that you need a complete residential reroof relatively urgently. Shingles only have an expected lifespan of about 20 years, for example, so anything beyond that is likely already damaged. If your roof is outside of its projected lifespan, you should get an inspection soon.
Complete Residential Reroof: If Your Shingles Need More & More Attention Each Year
In the intermountain area, we get our fair share of severe weather. Replacing a few shingles every other year, or even annually, is often well within acceptable limits. If you find yourself replacing more and more shingles each year, and the problem seems to be growing, then it may be time to get your home reroofed.
Damage To Flashing In Different Areas Of The Roof
Flashing is the material that helps seal the roof at junctions and penetration points. For example, where your roof meets a vertical wall, there will be flashing, just as there will be flashing around a chimney or vent pipe. If you notice flashing is damaged in multiple places, it may be time for a complete reroof.
If You Need A Gardener For The Roof
Your roof is going to get wet, but retaining that water is not in its job description. One sign that your shingles are getting old, is that they retain water, which can often be seen in the appearance of moss, mildew, or mold growing on them. If you see this, you can try to clean it, but generally, it will need to be replaced.
Sagging Appearance
When looking at your roof from the outside, a roof that is sagging in the middle is in urgent need of replacement. This can lead to leaks, or it can lead to catastrophic roofing failure.
For A Quote On Your Complete Residential Reroof
There is a lot of consideration that goes into the decision to reroof instead of repair, and sometimes you need to talk to a professional. If you have questions, feel free to contact The Roofing Center and speak with a member of our roofing family.
