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Your roof is what covers, insulates, and secures your home. It shelters your household from the elements and the outside world. A house simply isn’t a home without a reliable roof; it is just as important as the foundation. Roofs do not last forever, however, and when your roof begins to age and suffers from wear and tear, you have to start to wonder – should I make repairs or just complete a total roof replacement?
While repairs can assist in prolonging your roof’s life, it doesn’t always make sense to shovel money into something that needs to be replaced. In New York and off the East Coast – residents are often subjected to crazy weather, harsh winters, and element that can subject your roof to extreme circumstances, wear, and tear. Being proactive and understanding better when is the right time to move forward with a new roof installation will help maintain your home’s overall health, value, and safety.
Pay Attention to Its Average Lifespan
Every roof has a breaking point, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will physically break – it will begin to age and wear down. This also depends on the type of materials used to create the roof. Different materials have various life expectancies, which is always something to consider when you are wondering about replacing yours and installing a new one.
- The average lifespan of tile, copper, or slate roof can be up to 50 years.
- The average life of wood shake roofs is approximately 30-35 years.
- The typical life expectancy of a fiber cement shingle roof is about 25 years.
- The typical lifespan of an asphalt shingle or composition roof is only 20 years.
These are just averages created and exposed through the continued use of these kinds of materials for roofing. It doesn’t mean your roof cannot exceed the average lifespan – a properly maintained, cleaned, and repaired roof can easily surpass expectations and stand firm for many years.
Water Damage
Notice leaking or excessive moisture in your attic or the upstairs area of your home? Water damage is never something you want to procrastinate on – action should be taken the second you notice it. Check the walls for moisture build-up or marks, brown or yellow stains, and peeling paint. Those are all signs that your roof has water damage, and a professional should thoroughly inspect and assess it for repair or possible replacement.
A roof with water damage can be dangerous for homeowners because of the build-up of toxic mildew, mold, and the weakening of the structure. If your roof is weakened, it is more susceptible to additional damage – sagging, curling, and buckling. Water also creates the perfect environment for unwanted issues like moss and fungi.
Curling, Buckling, or Missing Shingles/Granules
If your shingles are curling or falling off, you know things are not correctly attached and put together. This is not sustainable for a home and should be assessed by a roofing company in the area to determine whether repairs can be made. Once things begin falling apart, the structure can be at risk of buckling, which is the last thing you want for your roof.
If your shingles or roof materials are curved and curling or buckled in on themselves, the winds, snow, and storms can cause this. Replacing the shingles and materials may be an option, but it could also indicate that extreme damage is at play. It is innate for things to become damaged due to heat, humidity, water, and general weather elements, but you will want to watch out.
Sagging Roof Syndrome
A sagging roof is a sad sight to see, and it is something that you never want to occur with your roof. If your roof has begun sagging, that is a sign that water damage and moisture are trapped inside the materials causing everything to weigh down. This can quickly eat and rot away your roofing materials, bringing the entire house down.
This can also be a sign of insufficient roof framing or too small rafters and dealing with an excess of weight. This means that your roof is weak, and any kind of additional stress and further damage your ceilings and even cause the roof to collapse. If your roof is sagging, it is time to contact a local roofer you can trust to evaluate the situation and support you through a new roof installation process.
High Energy Bills
Another urge for replacement deals with your energy bills – both heating and cooling. Your roof is a form of insulation for your home – similar to wearing a hat on a cold day to warm your head and keep heat inside the body; your roof does the same for your house. The prices of living in the New York area are skyrocketing and continue to rise each passing year, so you don’t deserve to haggle with additional bills rising too.
A good roof structure will keep warm and cold air inside your house and maintain the insulation, preventing your heating or air conditioning from seeping through the cracks due to all the vulnerabilities. Installing a new roof will help lower your energy costs while also increasing the value of your home. Having a licensed roof technician come out to complete an inspection of any loose ends when it comes to your roof helps to prolong its life, ensure the safety of your household, and promote wellness for the property as a whole.
It May Be Time for an Inspection from Local Licensed Roofers
Putting your energy into properly maintaining, cleaning, and inspecting your home and roof will help to prolong the life of your home’s protection and value. If it has come to your attention that any of these events have occurred – an assessment from a reliable roofing contractor is required. Smart Roofers in New York services the Big Apple, New Jersey, and surrounding areas with premium roof replacement!
Smart Roofers are available to thoroughly evaluate your roof and provide a complete consultation and estimate for free. There is no need to continue worrying about water damage or the age of your roof – reach out to someone who can help you to get your home back on the right track.
Investing in your home is an investment for your life – allowing you to feel secure and comfortable within your space and improving the quality of your household. What are you waiting for? Consider roof replacement and avoid continuous costly repairs – you deserve the peace of mind of knowing your roof is reliable and serves as a sturdy structure for your home base!
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