How to Know: Is It Time to Replace My Roof?

Ah, Fall, that beautiful time of year where the sun shines in shades of amber, and the crisp air invites you to come and enjoy the mosquito-free outdoors. It’s a great time of year. So great it almost makes you forget that your home’s archnemesis is around the corner: WINTER

Winter wreaks havoc on your roof, so now’s the time to inspect it, so you’re not dealing with leaks, drafts, or worse, paying an arm and a leg trying to get quick-fix repairs done in the bitter cold. Thankfully, we at Fairview Home Improvements have got you covered. Read for insider tips of what to look for so your roof can be sitting pretty through winter’s worst.  So, grab yourself some cider and a donut (or three, who are we kidding), and let’s get into it. 

5 Signs Your Roof Needs Help

Light Means Leaks

For this one, we need to check out the attic. So, armed with a flashlight (and a friend, depending on how scary your attic is), look for slivers of light coming in through the top of the house. While you’re at it, check the beams for any water stains.

Shingles Check

This Fall, check on your roof after heavy storms. Your Shingles should be uncracked and undamaged, laying flat against the roof. If you see patches of shingles that are cracked or buckling, then you need to look into getting them repaired asap. Before returning to terra firma, check your gutters and downspouts for shingle granules. If your roof is losing a lot of granules after each storm, that’s a sure-fire sign that your roof will soon need replacing.

Put Your Best Flashing Forward

The flashing on your roof serves to seal the seams between your roofing material and structures such as vents, skylights, and chimneys. Examine your flashing to make sure there are no cracks or breaks that can lead to leaks.  If you have an older home, you may find that you have tar or cement flashing. Those are both pretty vulnerable to water, heat/cold, and expansion/retraction damage. Upgrading to a metal flashing system will give you better durability and more peace of mind. 

Roof Rot

Stand back and take a look at your roof. Are any portions sagging or drooping? A sagging roofline is a sure sign that your roof needs to be replaced before any more damage is done to your home. Check the lower portions of your roof for signs of the trapped moisture rotting your boards. 

The Name’s Moss. Roof Moss.

Look out for any moss, mold, or fungi growing on your roof.
These are significant signs of trapped moisture in your shingles and can ruin your roof. Use a stiff brush to get rid of any greenery, but be sure to look for and address the root cause of the growth. 

Bottom Line:  

If you find any of these worrisome signs of roof trouble and your roof is under 15 years old, chances are you’ll be ok with the troublesome portions repaired and won’t need your whole roof to be replaced. 

If you do find yourself in need of a new roof, let the experts at Fairview Home Improvement take care of you. It would be our pleasure to get you squared away before Winter comes to leave you out in the cold. (Get it? See what we did there? Who can resist a good pun?)