5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Roof

Your roof is the first line of defense you have against harsh weather and keeps you and your loved ones safe. Regular maintenance and repairs are necessary to ensure your roof serves for as long as possible. However, you will get to a time when your roof has done you enough service and needs replacement.

Watch out for the following five signs that you need to call a roofing company to install a new roof for your home. 

1. Frequent Leaks 

Leaks are sometimes difficult to notice unless you are keen to see mold and stains on the ceilings and walls. Once you notice your roof has leaks, your next move should be to call in a roofing expert.

At times, leaks might be recurrent and distributed all over your roof. When your roof has too many leaks and constantly needs repairs, you should consider a roof replacement. A roof replacement might be expensive, but it will save you the trouble of frequent repairs and the risk of water damage in your house. 

2. Exterior Damage

A good and robust roof is visible from afar and adds to your house's curb appeal. A roof replacement would suffice when your roof looks nothing close to attractive and you notice visible damage to your roofing material. 

Watch for signs like curling, missing, loose, and cracked roof pieces. If a significant part of your roof shows advanced signs of exterior damage, start budgeting for a new roof before the situation gets worse. 

3. Old Age

How long a roof should serve you depends on the roofing materials you use. Different roofing materials have various life expectancies. Take a look:

• Metal. Metal roofing materials can serve you for around 40 to 80 years, depending on the exact metal type you choose.
• Asphalt shingles. The life expectancy of asphalt shingles is between 20 to 50 years.
• Clay or concrete tiles. Clay or concrete roof can serve you for 50 to 100 years.
• Wood shakes. A wooden roof has a life expectancy of between 25 to 30 years.
• Slate. Slate roofs can last for 60 to 175 years.

Keep a record of how long your roof has served you so you know when a replacement is due. Your roof's life expectancy will depend on the care you give the roof, its exposure to sunlight, and the general environmental conditions of the area you live in. 

4. Saggy or Droopy Roof

When your roof's alignment is off, the support structure holding the roof might be weak. A sagging or drooping roof requires immediate attention. The ideal solution for such a situation would be to replace the entire roof. 

Have a roofing expert inspect the roof and determine whether you must replace the roofing materials or if your roof also needs a new support structure.

5. Color Change

Each roof has a characteristic color depending on the roofing material. The color is uniform in a healthy and robust roof. When the original color of the roof starts changing, you might be looking at telltale signs of aging or advanced wear and tear. The color change is most noticeable when the roof nears the end of its expected life span.

Hire a roofing expert to ascertain whether your roof's color change signifies the roof needs replacement. An expert should be able to advise you on the next ideal course of action. 

Be on the lookout for the signs discussed in this piece so you plan, budget, and install a new roof on your house. At J. Taylor Construction, we inspect your roof's condition, advise you on your options, and deliver quality roofing services. If you need a roof replacement, contact us today.