Home maintenance is an expensive and time consuming part of home ownership, yet taking the time to be conscientious about this area can allow you to enjoy your home for years. It also prevents small problems that are caught early, from turning into huge disasters.
Austin roofing companies know that maintaining your roof is vital to the wellbeing of your home. Failing metal roofing or standard shingle roofing can lead to nightmarish damage and expensive repairs. Today, we would like to walk you through some ways to know when it is time to replace the roof on your home.
KNOW YOUR ROOF’S AGE
If your roof is over 25 years old, there is a good chance that it needs a complete replacement. This is due to the fact that roofing materials from a quarter century ago are not nearly as durable as the materials used today, such as metal roofing. If your roof is over 10 years old, it is a good idea to have yourself or Austin roofing companies complete a thorough inspection.
COMPLETE AN INSPECTION
Such a roofing inspection is a vital part of maintaining your roof to ensure that minor repairs are made before they turn into large issues with potential costly damage. You will want to complete your inspection, starting with inside of the attic. Observe whether you see any light leaks coming in. Also, look carefully for any signs of leaking. Moisture can cause foundation damage, damage to walls and ceilings and dangerous mold growth. One last note is to check all interior walls and ceilings for dark spots or streaks. These signs are indicative of water leaking, as well.
EXAMINE YOUR SHINGLES
Shingles that are at the end of their useful life will show signs of wear such as cracking, warping or curling up at the edges. Also, be sure to check for excessive shingle granules inside your gutters. If you see any signs of this, a call to Austin roofing companies should be made for them to further examine the issue. Sometimes shingles can be replaced in a small section. Other times it is best to replace the entire roof.
OBSERVE SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR
There are other signs of wear and tear to look for on your roof besides shingle damage. Next time it is windy, take a moment to see if any shingles are flapping in the breeze or lifting. Also, give a close inspection to all of your flashing. Make sure it is still well-fitting, with no cracks or breaks. If your flashing is a cement system, common in older homes, it may be well worth updating to fitted metal. Look for any exposed nails that may be sticking out. This can be a sign of leakage or extreme wear. This applies to both shingle and metal roofing. Finally, if you notice darkened beams, vegetation growth or soft spots when walking on your roof, it may be rotting. This needs immediate attention.
We hope that you are able to use these great tips to complete a roof inspection to determine the condition of your roof.