How to Tell When You Need a Roof Replacement
How to Tell When You Need a Roof Replacement on your Mandeville, LA home. How do you know if it is time for a roof replacement? Sometimes, the red flags that call for a new roof are present, but they are not evident to homeowners.
Let’s look at what your roof may be trying to tell you.
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Understanding the whole roof system
Before performing a roofing project, it is a good idea to know the elements of a roofing system as well as the related jargon.
- Deck: The wooden surface of the roof
- Drip edge: Material affixed along the edge of the roof to guide water off the eaves
- Underlayment: A barrier installed on the roof deck to protect it from water damage
- Flashing: Material that seals and protects joints, such as where the roof meets the chimney
- Shingles: The outermost layer of your roof, which repels water and protects the structure
- Soffit: The underside of a roof overhang
- Fascia: The horizontal board on the end of your roof’s rafters that may hold the gutters
- Vents: Features that allow air flowing in the attic to keep your roof dry
Besides, roofing systems like the Sure Start PLUS roof include materials such as:
- Winterguard and either Roofer’s Select or Diamond Deck underlayment
- Starter shingles,
- Specific CertainTeed asphalt shingles,
- Ridge vents
- Hip and ridge caps.
With these high-quality products, customers also get a 50-year warranty.
6 signs you need a roof replacement
Now, you know what goes into your roof. So, to determine if you need to replace it, keep an eye out for these signs:
- You have an old roof.
On average, an asphalt shingle roof lasts about 12 to 15 years. The useful life of metal or tile roofs tends to be longer. Thus, if your roof is arriving at the end of its lifespan, start thinking about a roof replacement.
- Curling or missing shingles are visible.
Your roof receives constantly the effect of weather elements, which cause its components to wear down over time. In the long –term, this process causes broken, missing, buckling, or curling shingles.
Also, finding debris or shingles granules in your gutter system is a revealing sign of roof decay.
- You can see broken or damaged flashing.
Damaged, or missing flashing means your roof is vulnerable to water damage since flashing void water filtering through the joints in your roof. It may be made of roof cement, tar, or metal, depending on the quality and your roof age.
- Ice damming.
The appearance of ice dams is a sign of roof ventilation issues. The added ice pressure can pull apart your roofing materials, allowing the water back up to seep into the inner layers of your roof.
Once the water starts to soak those inner materials, it’s only a matter of time before you need a roof replacement.
- Discolored ceilings and walls.
Did you find water stains on your walls, ceilings, and even on the exterior of your home? Do you hear a dripping sound coming from your ceiling? Then, you may have a roof leak. In this case, your roof may have significant water damage and needs a replacement.
- You have unwanted animal occupants in your home.
Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and birds, will try to nest in your warm home. So, they will take advantage of any damage to your roof. If you have these kinds of visitors at home, likely, you have a missing or rotting section in the eaves or another part of your roof.
Hire a professional roofing contractor to determine whether your roof needs repairs or a total replacement.
Tips to keep your roof in top shape
Have you already decided that you need a new roof? So, follow these steps to maximize your new roof lifespan:
- Get a warranty – When purchasing a warranty, you obtain a higher-quality roof and ensuring that future repairs are covered.
- Trim trees near your home – they can fall, hit your roof during a storm, and become ways for animals to access your roof.
- Inspect your roof for damage after a storm – Don’t assume everything is OK after a strong weather event.
- Make sure you know the terms of the warranty so when you need it, you can use it.
Do You Need a New Roof?
Is it time to replace your roof?
Call Louisiana Roof Crafters at 985-241-8045 today or contact us online to request an estimate for a roof replacement in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Mandeville, or the Northshore of Louisiana.
We build trust and peace of mind into every Roof Crafters’ Roof.