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How To Figure Out If Its Time For A Roof Replacement
Stephen Bis • Nov 09, 2020
Do you need a roof replacement? Would you know if you did? Sometimes, the signs can be pretty noticeable, but other times they won't be. A sturdy roof above your head is pretty crucial if you've become acclimated to having a warm, comfortable, and leak-free home. Here's how to see and deal with potential issues before they become tough to manage.
If you've done just a little investigation into this question, you've probably come across the "25-30 year rule" for the longevity of most roofs. That figure is used as a benchmark. Most residential roofs need a replacement within that window. But, there are many variables to consider, and all roofs are unique.
Your roof takes a lot of external wear and tear with every year that goes by. Persistent sunlight, strong winds, debris, rodents, hurricanes, large amounts of rain, or chaotic weather conditions – all of these have a direct correlation with a roof's lifespan. How quickly your roof needs to be replaced depends on several factors:
- What kind of weather is experienced.
- Proper maintenance and care.
- Age of the materials.
- How good the materials used are.
- How well it was installed in the first place.
- Upkeep with minor repairs.
- If wildlife was kept away.
- External debris build-up.
You Have An Old Roof
An important initial factor to consider before inspecting your roof for cracks, breaks, and other problems is its age. A roof that is 25 to 30 years or older may necessitate a total re-roof, even if the roof itself appears in good shape to the naked eye. Roofs from decades ago were quite often created with materials that are no longer useful or considered strong today. If your roof is 10, 15, or 20 years old, it might be time for a thorough inspection and potentially investing in an entirely new roof altogether, especially if your roof has been laid over a previously installed roof.
Conduct An Interior Roof Check
The first step is to scoop up a flashlight and get to the attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a powerful beam, so you don't miss any damage and always be conscious of your safety as you go through these kinds of inspections.
Upon arriving in your attic, try to identify one or more of these four signs that you need a new roof:
1) Daylight Through The Roof Boards
Before you turn your flashlight on, see if you can notice any streams of sunlight coming through cracks or punctures in your roof. If the light is spotted coming through your roof, repair or replace your roof right away. If the light is getting through your roof, then water is getting through your roof.
2) Dark Streaks & Stains
This one is also rather easy to identify. If there are dark stains or dark streaks on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is probably leaking, and moisture is deteriorating both your roof, as well as your home's interior structure.
3) Sagging Areas
Much like how a soggy cardboard is weak, water can also make the structure of your roof start to sag. If you come across sagging areas in your roof, use your hand or a broom to prod at the sagging spot carefully. If the spot feels soft and wet or moves around easily with a touch of your broom, you know you have moisture damage.
4) Leaks
In addition to looking for dark streaks and sagging areas, be sure to check for any present indications of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you find any clear signs of water damage, it's advisable to contact a roofing company
to immediately inspect your roof.
Missing, Loose, Or Cracked Shingles
Examining your roof's shingles is another recommendation to determine whether or not your roof is in need of further attention or a possible roof replacement entirely. When inspecting the outdoor shingles of your home's roof, try to spot any cracks, dilapidated shingles, or shingles that have curled or angled upwards.
Asphalt that is curled, cracked, or misshapen may necessitate a further inspection to determine whether or not they can be replaced one by one or if you are better off investing in an entirely new roof.
Locating shingle granules on your roof or building up in your gutter can also be an indicator that the moment is here for a complete and thorough roof replacement. Excessive asphalt granule loss is a major sign that the roof's state is not where it should be to ensure your roof can hold up to a large hurricane.
Moss, Dark Spots, And Algae Growth
Dark spots (or generally dirty-looking shingles) are caused by moss and algae growth. These might not be directly tied to when you need to replace your roof (or get it repaired), but such fungus can spread out and begin damaging other parts of the roof.
Is there fungus or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? If so, don't worry. Our natural environment tends to grow over any human-made building in its path if it is not adequately looked after and maintained.
When looking over your roof and the new growths you have spotted, be sure to do so by examining both the inside and outside of your roof. While most plant growths are likely to be seen from the outside of your roof, if there is a bigger issue on-deck, nature may also be growing on its own indoors with you having zero clue.
In most scenarios, treating the algae from a roof is a way to rapidly fix the issue without even having to consider a re-roof. But, if there are substantial growths around your roof or even inside of your home, the recommendation is to find a roofing company to determine the root cause and reason for the growths.
When a roof has been completely covered in growths in nature, there's a strong probability the roof needs to be replaced in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks.
The good news is that algae growth and accumulation are not usually indicators that you need to fix or replace your roof. Rather, moss is more-so an eyesore on your roof and one that is quite common in hot places like Southern Florida.
If the situation calls for a full roof replacement, there then becomes some decisions to be made. Such as which roofing material to use. Which roofing contractor will you hire? Whether there's a valid insurance claim. For many people having the money required in the bank to get a new roof may not be a possibility; there is financing available for homeowners offered by certain roofing contractors. Be sure to do proper research before making your choice of contractor.
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Investing in a new commercial roof installation is a pretty big undertaking for any business owner or property manager responsible for overseeing the project. A commercial roofing project can be something that costs millions of dollars, so ensuring to hire a legitimate commercial roofing company for the job is paramount. Read more below to find out how to avoid inexperienced commercial roofers. Lacking Proper Industry Knowledge Many people think commercial and residential roofing is the same thing, which couldn't be further from the truth. Commercial roofing will require different tools and materials, different skill sets, and more in-depth knowledge. Trying To Bid Super Low Sure, price is an essential factor to consider when hiring a company to install a new commercial roof. However, it should not be the primary factor. Inexperienced roofers that have not worked on many commercial jobs will often bid quite low to give them a better chance at landing the project. There are numerous reasons this can be a problem, with one being that this leaves little room for error in budgeting, and if corners are cut, do you want that to happen on your dime, with your roof? Not Possessing The Correct Licenses & Insurance Securing proper licenses and insurance can be a complicated process, one that sketchy companies will forego in order to start securing work prematurely. As someone looking to hire a commercial roofer, you need to make sure they are licensed and insured. Experience Experience is a trump card when it comes to the primary factor in who to select for the job. Assuming the bid price isn't reasonable, then going with an experienced company usually works the best. You should see at least one if not more jobs similar to yours within the company's work portfolio. Do They Have A Good Reputation Due diligence is necessary when it comes to hiring a commercial roofing company. Be sure to see what people are saying online, are there negative reviews, if so how many? Does the company respond to complaints or ignore them? These are all significant things to consider before making a hiring decision. After your evaluation is complete, if all of the considerations mentioned above check out, there's a good chance the company you're selecting will be the correct choice. Ensure their reputation is clean, that they possess the correct licenses and insurance, and last but not least have adequate experience. With all things being equal between competing companies, then price should be considered.
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Installing a tile roof is very popular in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A tile roof elicits an alluring sense of romance for numerous people, as tile roofing has been used for thousands of years throughout the world. In Florida, the way houses are designed greatly complements the look of tile roofing. When you combine the look of a tile roof with its well-known protection against high winds, it's no surprise it's popularity is so high. Throughout the rest of this article, we will plunge into the top reasons why it's a good idea for homeowners to invest in tile roofing. Curb Appeal - No one can argue against how beautiful a tile roof can look. Dating back to the days of the Roman Empire, tile roofing has been a symbol of status, and nowadays, it is far superior to asphalt, the most common roofing material. Getting a new tile roof replacement will instantly improve the curb appeal of your home. Strength - In the roofing material world, only metal roofing can compete with tile in terms of its strength. Tile roofs fire-resistant, insects, resistance to rot, and can hold up well in intense temperatures, making it great for blistering summers in Florida. Another plus is that they are resistant to corrosion from salt, and with many neighborhoods in Florida near the beach, this is a big selling point. However, the most significant durability factor is how well tile fairs against high gusts of wind. Versatility - With so many colors and styles of tiles on the market, it's no wonder designers love it. There are various types of tiles, such as Spanish tiles, French tiles, true barrel tiles, and another popular tile in south Florida, being the mermaid-like scalloped tile. Naturally, there are more than the aforementioned, but the point is made, there is a lot of variety in the world of tile roofing. FPL Friendly - Tile roofing has a high thermal mass, which in turn aids the tiles in regulating the home's temperature. This improved temperature regulation results in saving money on the cost of power. Wise Investment - Sure, installing a tile roof is more expensive upfront for both the labor and materials; in the long run, when you consider cost per year of use, a tile roof is much more affordable. With tile, you'll almost assuredly never need another roof replacement. Perhaps the smartest part of this investment is the increase in home value. As can be seen, there are many benefits to installing a tile roof in Florida. Whether your goal is to increase the appearance of your home or looking for robust protection against deadly hurricanes, a tile roof in Florida will almost always be a wise investment. Tile is the way to go when you consider beauty, overall year to year savings, better energy efficiency, longevity, and strength.
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