Unless you have a river of water gushing through the roof of your home, it can be quite hard to know if you need to replace your roof or not. If the roof starts leaking, it might be more likely that you'll just fix the leak and don't think twice about it. There are, however, some signs that can tell you when you have bigger problems that do actually need your entire roof replaced or a roof restoration.
Inside check
The first step is to look at it from the inside. Walk up to your attic with a torch and take a good look at the ceiling. If it is sagging, has unusually dark patches or trails or has holes that allow light from the outside to shine through, then you might have a problem.
Outside check
The next step is to have a look of the roof from the outside. Look for broken shingles and shingle granules. The granules look like sand and can show up in your gutters as a sign of extraordinary wear. Keep an eye out for spots of mould or algae as well, as this is an indication of areas tormented by an unusual amount of moist. If you find spots of moisture, make sure the gutters are cleared of leaves and dirt. Excessive rainwater that has nowhere to go can be the reason your roof is moist. Also, have a look at where the vents from the bathroom and the kitchen go. If they go into the attic, this might be why you're getting spots of moisture.
It might not have to be changed just yet
If you find one or more of these signs on your roof, don't assume you'll have to replace your entire roof just yet. Depending on the type, a roof that is properly installed should not need a replacement but rather some maintenance repairs, until after about 20 years. If your roof is younger than that, you can call a roofer and ask for advice on what should be done. They might have cheaper and simpler treatments in mind than replacing your entire roof. If you do have an older roof and you have found many of these signs, then it might be time to start preparing to get your roof changed.
Be one step ahead
Remember that it's better to get a new roof before your roof breaks down completely. Then, you can take your time looking for a roofing contractor, choosing between materials and comparing estimates from different firms. It's always better to be one step ahead to avoid being caught off guard. After you've gotten the roof you want, you can rest assured that you won't have to change it for several years.
Share24 September 2018
Hi and welcome to my blog. My name is Jules, and several years ago, I bought an old house. As it needed so many repairs, we learned to compromise and prioritise our goals. That included the roof. Although the house needed a roof, we spent a few years working on other elements of the house, and during that time, we repaired and patched parts of the roof or added shingles as needed. Finally, we were able to replace the entire thing. I learned a lot through the process and wanted to create a blog about it. If you are interested in anything to do with roofs, please check out my posts.
