Every homeowner is responsible for maintaining their homes in top condition. Their task is to prevent the rapid deterioration that can cause damage and costly repairs. The roof is a crucial structural component that requires attention because of its exposure to exterior elements. Installing a new roof may be more complex than other maintenance projects, such as remodeling or redoing your yard. However, it’s worth considering that a new roof can provide significant value to your home in the long run.
According to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), you can recover 100% of your remodeling costs when you sell your house. For instance, it’s estimated that putting on a new roof could bring up to $12,000 in return. So, it may be best to consider this a worthy investment. But first, how do you know it’s time to replace your roof? Read on.
Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Roof
The roof protects the home’s structure from harmful elements. The scorching heat of the sun, thunderstorms, snow, wind, and dust can cause faster deterioration. No matter one’s diligence in doing maintenance work, there will come a time to replace your roof.
Learn to spot the five signs that say you need to replace your roof.
1. Age of Roof
The first thing to remember in deciding when to replace your roof is to determine its age. Different types of roofs with different kinds of materials will tell their lifespan. Some roofs have a lifespan of more than ten years, and there are those that can last for over 100 years. Here is a list of roofing materials with their corresponding lifespans.
- Wood Shingle: 30 years with consistent maintenance works
- Asphalt Single: 15-20 years
- Clay Tile: more than 100 years
- Metal: 25-40 years
- Slate Shingle:
- Hard Slate: more than 200 years
- Soft Slate: more than 125 years
- Cement Shingle: more than 50 years
2. Extent of Damage
Replacing an entire roofing system is difficult, and homeowners should consider hiring professional contractors. Before consulting the experts, inspect your roof for damages and severe deterioration. If the damage is beyond repair, a roof replacement is necessary.
3. Extensive Leaks and Moisture
Leaks in roofs are the most common signs of deterioration and lead to serious damage that would need replacement. Look for any discolorations on your ceiling, indicating moisture inside your roof. Once water penetrates your home, it will find its way to the lowest area of the house and go through the insulation, ceiling, and walls. Consult a roofing contractor to analyze the extent of damage caused by roof leaks. You must prepare for roof replacement if you notice curling and peeling on your asphalt shingles. Don’t neglect this sign to prevent trapping water and moisture buildup.
4. Presence of Mold and Rot
Mold is a sure sign that your roof is on its last legs. With age, roofs are not as able to protect against moisture and leave them exposed to the growth of moss, mold, fungi, and algae. These intruders worsen the situation further by burrowing underneath other shingles into your underlying framework and destroying the integrity of your roof. Wood shingles on roofs can be susceptible to mold, even if they aren’t that old. If you notice any mold growth, it might indicate the need for an anti-fungicide treatment instead of replacing your roof. Do moisture control as necessary.
5. Recurring Issues
If you keep encountering the same issues over a period, it might be best to have a respected roofing contractor in Freehold NJ inspect your home’s roofing system. Allow them to give an estimate to see if replacing the roof would be more cost-effective. Roof replacement may come out much cheaper than keep doing the same repairs, which only affects your home’s quality. Plus, these repetitive repairs can only cause stress on your part.
Key Takeaways
Investing in a quality, long-lasting roof can be beneficial as it awards incredibly high returns on your investment. This has been highlighted in numerous studies which have determined that such materials are highly durable and reliable. The dividends of investing in a new roof will show when you decide to put your property up for sale.
Signs it’s time to replace:
- Roof’s age
- Severity and extent of damage
- Presence of leaks and moisture
- Appearance of mold and rot
- Same repair issues
