How often do you look up at your roof? If you’re like me – hardly ever. Running in and out of the house, going to high school football or softball games, practices, or church, I may glance up every once and awhile to look at our roof line when backing out of our driveway.
So the question is:
How do I know I need a new roof?
This question is one of our most common ones that we hear as roofers in Nashville. Usually we find those asking the question are the ones needing a new roof; they just want it to last a little longer before they have to make a decision to do a roof replacement.
Homeowners should be asking themselves if they have a roof that is getting up there in age – How do I know if I need a new roof?
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home and without it you would have four walls and a foundation. A roof offers you protection from rain and wind. A roof offers you protection from direct sunlight and keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Everyone needs a roof.
But, the question is – How do I know I need a new roof?
5 Signs You Need a New Roof
- Age. Just because you find signs of wear does not automatically mean you need a new roof replacement. It may need some repairs done to extend the life of the roof. A quality shingle Nashville roof usually lasts 20 to 30 years if installed correctly and regular roof maintenance applied by a knowledgeable roofing professional. Once a roof has hit that mark, it’s time to start keeping a serious eye out for signs of deterioration. If your roof is tile or slate, it should be good for the life of the home at times up to 100 years sometimes before replacement. Sometimes the roof underlayments expire before the slate or tile roof signaling a tile roof repair.
- Shingle Granules. As with life, shingles age and shed granules as they get older. They dry out and the granules begin to come off falling into your gutters and driveway. This is a sign of advanced wear telling you a new roof is needed sooner rather than later.
- Dark Lines or Spots. Dark lines and spots are an indication that moisture is getting through your roof somewhere and is probably creating mold or algae in the process. Those harmful looking black spots should not go ignored. With the high humidity and heavily treed areas in Nashville Tennessee, after a rain storm the roof dries out and mold goes dormant and discolors the shingles. If left ignored, it can cause the shingles to meteorite and begin to show roof leaks.
- Missing Shingles. With the heavy winds in Tennessee, the result of it can be cracked, torn, or missing shingles. You may find loose material or wear and tear predominant around chimneys, vents, pipes or roof penetrations.
- Roof Leaks or Water Damage. Water damage can show up on the ceiling or in your attic space. Nashville residents saw a lot of water damage in their walls last year from ice dams. There is no doubt that if you see water damage or a roof leak it is time to call us to find it and address the issue head on with one our professionals immediately.
Don’t wait until water is pouring into your home from a leaky roof that was avoided, especially with Nashville’s unpredictable weather. That is why Roofing by Design, Inc. created a Maintenance Plan. Our plan includes a yearly roof inspection and tune-up. Its sole purpose is to prolong the life of the roof and respond to any issues present or in the future.
If you need a new roof, don’t look at it as a DIY project or to hire your friend’s friend that works out of his truck especially if you’re taking off the old roof and putting on a new one.
If you still have questions or want an honest inspection and plan to keep your roof in its best possible condition, give us a call at (615) 452-0161 today!
