You're probably familiar with the importance of regular home maintenance, especially when it comes to your roof. Roofs are like cars: they can last many years if you take care of them, but they need frequent attention after a certain age. If you notice any of these signs on your home's roof, it may be time for maintenance or replacement:
Shingles are missing or damaged.
If there's a shingle missing or damaged, it's time to get your roof inspected. Damaged shingles can cause leaks and lead to other issues. The replacement of a single shingle isn't too expensive. Although, if you're dealing with multiple missing or damaged shingles, then it might be best to fix the problem before things get worse.
Shingles are made of asphalt and will stretch when torn up by wind or rain. They won't break unless they're very old. You may have been putting off repairs for years before finally deciding it was time for an inspection!
Granules from the shingles are in the gutters.
If you see granules in your gutters, it means that the shingles on your roof need to be replaced. Granules are made of asphalt and are supposed to be on the roof. When they fall into the gutter, it's an indication that something is wrong with your tiles.
It's easy to forget about this maintenance step, but regular inspections can help ensure that the roof over your home and its occupants are safe.
You have noticed cracks in the shingles.
Cracks are a sign of aging shingles. Aging shingles will eventually crack, and the cracks can cause leaks that can lead to further damage in your home. If you notice any cracks in your shingles, you should have them replaced as soon as possible.
First, get an estimate for your roof repair from a professional roofer to determine if it is worth repairing or if it would be better to simply replace the entire roof. The cost of replacing a single panel can vary greatly depending on whether or not this panel is part of an area where there are multiple panels already installed (whereby replacement would require more labor). If so, then there might be other areas that need replacing, too, since they were likely installed at the same time and may have been damaged by exposure over time as well. There would be no reason not to go ahead with replacing all existing panels rather than just one!
The roof leaks.
One of the most obvious signs that you need roof maintenance is a leak. Roof leaks can be caused by a number of things, including:
- Damaged shingles
- Missing shingles (especially if they're missing in multiple places)
- Damaged flashing (the metal or plastic pieces that cover the joints between your roof and your house)
If you have an older roof, it's more likely to develop these problems than newer roofs. If you see water damage on top of your home—particularly inside—it’s possible that there's been some kind of leak.
Your roof is more than 20 years old.
A roof should be replaced every 20 years. Even if you live in a place where it doesn't snow often, (like Tulsa) if your home is 20 years old or older, it’s probably time to replace them with something new.
Replacing your shingles with a newer style will provide several benefits:
- You'll save money on energy bills by reducing heat loss through the attic space between the shingles and insulation above it.
- Replacing your roof can increase the value of your home when you're ready to sell or refinance—and we all know how important that is these days!
- You'll reduce the risk of water damage from leaks during storms because there will be fewer cracks between each shingle layer where water can penetrate into places like electrical outlets or plumbing pipes beneath them
If you have any of these signs, it’s time to call a roofer. A new roof can help your home last another 20 years or more. If you have any questions or suspect that your roof might be in need of professional maintenance, don't hesitate and give our Lewis Roofing team a call today!
