The roof on your house does not have to be leaking or falling apart for it to be time to consider a residential roof replacement. Several things can indicate it is time for roof replacement if you know what to look for.
Roof Age
The age of the residential roofing that is on your home can play a significant role in the decision to replace the roof. While each material is different, asphalt shingles offer twenty-five to thirty years of protection for your home and are some of the most common materials found on homes in the U.S. today.
Other materials, like metal roofing, may last as long as fifty years. However, the material may be more expensive, so it is essential to weigh the cost per square (one hundred square feet) against the life of the material. In some cases, the cost of the material will balance out over time. While you are not saving a large amount of money to go with an alternative material, you could be extending the time between roofing jobs, and that may make the added cost worth it for you.
Roof Condition
Evaluating the conditioning of the roofing material on your home can tell you how soon it will need replacing. A residential roofing contractor can inspect the roof for you, but there are some things you may see from the ground that can be clues to the condition of the roof.
Discoloration of the roofing shingles typically indicates there is a missing shingle that you can see. The dark shingle in one spot shows up because the old one above it has come off the roof. The shingle is dark because it has less weather and sun exposure, so it will stand out on the roof and signal you to consider a roof inspection.
Asphalt shingles tend to curl up along the edges as they get old and dry out. You can often see the curling from the ground, and while the shingle may still be in place, the curled edge opens up the shingle to water blowing in under them, allowing the shingles to leak.
Roofing Inspection
If you are concerned about the condition of the roof on your home, a residential roofing contractor can inspect the roof for you. They will look for leaks and evaluate the condition of the shingles or other roofing material used on your home and report their finding to you.
Not every situation is going to require residential roofing replacement. If repairs can be made that will give you a few more years before the complete roofing overhaul, you may want to consider that. The cost will be significantly lower, and it will provide you with time to prepare for residential roofing replacement down the road.
For more information about residential roofing, contact a roofing company in your area.
