An old roof can sometimes be kept in stable condition with regular maintenance and occasional repair, but once your home is at risk of, or already suffering from, weather damage, it's time to get a new roof installed immediately. Here are three signs your roof is overdue for its replacement.
Noticeable Roof Structure Damage
Even if your roof materials, such as asphalt shingles or clay tiles, look to be in good shape, the roof structure itself could still be suffering from weather damage. You might see that your roof is starting to lean or sag inward once the damage becomes enough to weaken the underlying structure. This can happen when enough moisture makes its way into your attic and causes wood rot.
Any obvious changes to your roof like this needs immediate attention; the weakening of your roof's structure could eventually lead to collapse if it isn't immediately addressed.
Interior Water Damage
An old and leaking roof won't just cause damage to your attic or roof structure. If enough water gets in, it can drip down from your attic into the rest of your house, soaking insulation and staining your ceilings and walls. This damage only compounds over time and needs to be addressed quickly.
Look at your ceiling for any signs of dark-colored stains. These are often signs that there is water on the other side of the ceiling, and that it's consistent enough to start dripping down to your living area.
When examining your home for signs of water damage, remember that water can travel far before it comes to a stop; any stains, musty odors, or other signs of water damage, even if far from your roof, could still point to a serious roof issue.
Serious Roof Material Damage or Deterioration
Over time, the effectiveness of your roof's materials will wear down. For example, asphalt shingles will start to lose their granules, leaving bare material behind. Clay tiles can also break or crack. Some deterioration is natural, but eventually, your roof will reach a point where it can no longer keep out the elements, and simple maintenance will no longer suffice. Closely inspect your roof and look for signs of cracks, dents, and granule loss.
If you aren't sure if your roof has worn out so much that your home is in danger of weather damage, call a local roofing company, such as Earhart Roofing Company Inc, for an inspection. Generally, however, if your roofing material has worn down significantly, or been noticeably damaged, a full replacement is the only viable option to keep your home safe.
