Your roof is one of the most significant expenditures you will make in your home, so what could be more important than protecting that investment? Regular roofing inspections and repairs should be at the top of every homeowner’s priority list.
One of the most significant considerations is the lifespan of your roof. Make sure you know how long it’s supposed to last and that you pay extra attention to it when it’s nearing the end of that range.
A deteriorated roof can result in a slew of dangerous and costly issues. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers that your roof may pose if you don’t replace it when it’s time, as well as the symptoms that it’s time to replace it.
6 Things That Can Go Wrong if You Don’t Replace Your Roof When Needed.
- Health Risk
An aging and leaky roof can actually be a health hazard. When you have holes in your roof, you have a serious problem, whether it’s water leaking into your home, leading to mold and mildew growth, or allowing rodents to enter. Mold can cause serious health issues for everyone in your household. Depending on the type of mold, you may have to pay for both a new roof and mold cleanup services.
- Water Damage
Neglecting your roof if it is older and in need of replacement could result in serious water damage. Areas in the roof that allow water to seep into your home are not only dangerous to the roof’s stability, but also to the structure of your home. The water will rot the roof and cause even more harm to the rest of your home. If you are concerned that your current roofing system is failing, you should replace it as soon as possible.
- Structural Damage and Collapse
A faulty or hazardous roof might cause major issues in other areas. Water that leaks into your home may cause more harm than you can see. It may begin to damage structural beams in your home, causing a roof collapse or possibly compromising the structural integrity of your home especially during bad weather.
- Devaluing Your Home
An old, worn-out roof not only puts your home at risk of leaks but is also unsightly. Replacing an old, worn down roof is an important renovation to consider if you plan to sell your home. When a potential buyer discovers that the property needs a new roof, they may be less inclined to make an offer, or they may make a lower offer.
Replacing your roof will raise your home’s market value and curb appeal. Whether you want to boost the value of your home, use the equity to make more improvements or just increase your net worth, replacing your old roof is a wise investment.
- Fire Hazard
Delaying maintenance and roof repair may put your property at risk of a fire. Aside from the difficulties listed above, water entering your property may get into places it shouldn’t. Water that comes in contact with electrical wiring is a serious fire hazard.
- Higher Repair and Replacement Costs
Delaying a roof replacement can lead to greater expenses and budget blows in several ways. First, an old, dated roof will fail more frequently. The roof’s flaws will continue to accumulate, causing severe harm to the roof and your property.
You will need to call your roofers for repairs more frequently, incurring unneeded fees. The older your roof is, the more severe and costly the damage.
Second, as the roof ages, it degrades, and the longer you wait, the worse the damage becomes. The result is that in addition to the usual surface issues like broken shingles and leaks, the underlying structure will begin to deteriorate too.
This will make roof replacement more difficult and expensive. Replacing an old roof before it deteriorates saves money, stress and time.
Signs Your Roof Needs to be Replaced
- Your Roof Is Old
Roofs typically last 20 to 25 years. So, if your roof is getting on in years, it’s definitely time to get an estimate from a local roofing contractor. You have the option of entirely replacing your roof or simply overlaying the old shingles.
When a new layer of shingles is installed over the old, this is called overlaying. It can save you around 25% on a whole roof replacement and give your property a new look. That said, a more long-term solution is to rip off the old roof and start over. Roof replacement allows you to catch any problems lying behind the shingles. A completely new roof will last a lot longer than an overlay.
- Your Shingles Have Curled, Buckled or Are Missing
Examine the parts of your home that are exposed to direct sunlight. If your shingles are curling and bowing, it’s possible they’ve outlived their usefulness. It’s time to replace your roof if the majority of your shingles are missing, damaged, or bent. However, if the damage is limited to a few shingles, you can simply replace them.
Check your valleys, which are the points where the roof’s various slopes meet. They direct water runoff into gutters as an important feature of your roof (instead of inside your walls). Valleys, on the other hand, are prone to destruction. Your roof is at risk of leaking if the shingles are coming away or missing.
- Your Roof Has Saggy or Droopy Spots
Droopy or droopy areas indicate that the decking has been weakened by moisture and that the roof should be replaced. How does it feel to stroll on the roof if it’s safe to do so? Get off if it seems spongy or bouncy, as if you’re walking on a trampoline.
- Your Chimney Flashing Is Damaged
The roof flashing creates a water-tight seal around the chimney. Usually constructed of aluminum or steel, the flashing can last up to 30 years. Water might flow through your chimney and into your home if this rusts or splits. If the flashing has to be repaired, a local roofing contractor can tell you.
- You Can See Sunlight
The attic is an obvious area to search for roof damage. If you can see light streaming through the roof boards, you have a problem. While you’re up there, keep an eye out for any signs of dampness. A leaky roof is indicated by water stains on the roof boards or moisture in the insulation.
Lask Exterior Solutions, LLC has years of roofing experience in the areas of Rockford, Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, and is one of the most dependable roofers in the area.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please complete our handy online request form or contact us today for a free estimate at (815) 788-6699. We are always delighted to welcome a new customer. We serve residents of Rockford, IL, and the surrounding areas.