TOP 10 WARNING SIGNS YOU NEED A NEW ROOF

The homeownership rate in the United States consistently hovers around 60%, meaning that 6 out of every 10 people live in a property they own.

Homeownership brings benefits like building equity in the place you live and a sense of pride in being fully in charge of your dwelling situation. It also brings with it the need to invest in maintaining essential things like your roof.

A well-maintained roof is essential to a home for a variety of reasons. First, it shields its insides from damage, keeps your family safe from the elements, and keeps your property’s value up.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting a new roof, our team has put together this article to help you decide whether or not it’s time to take the plunge.

Below are ten reasons why it may be time for a new roof.

YOUR UTILITY BILLS ARE GOING UP

Have you noticed a progressive ballooning of your home’s heating and electricity bills over the last year? While many factors can contribute to fluctuating utility expenses, poor insulation is among the top causes.

If your roof got damaged and requires replacing, it could be that your house’s HVAC system needs to work overtime to control your home’s climate. That extra work translates into more money spent each month’s end.

YOUR ROOF IS OLD

There are varying timelines people suggest a roof is built to last for.

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, “How old is too old when it comes to a roof?” since the answer is mainly based on your roof type and the manufacturer of the materials you used.

Generally, if your roof comprises shingles, you will want to consider a new roof every 12 – 20 years.

YOUR ROOF IS MISSING SHINGLES

An easy way to tell if you could use a new roof is to inspect it from your curb. Are you noticing shingles missing?

Missing shingles on your roof can exacerbate the odds of more severe problems like your roof developing leaks.

YOUR ROOF HAS A LOT OF GIVE

If you can safely access your roof and walk across it, the amount of giving your roof has is another way for you to determine if it’s time for a new roof.

For the most part, a roof should feel relatively solid when you put weight on it. Older roofs that are getting towards the end of their life will feel spongy and malleable as you move across their surface.

DAYLIGHT SEEPS INTO YOUR HOME

Nothing says needing new roofing quite like holes. If you notice sunlight seeping into your house through your ceiling, you need to immediately call a roofer to assess the situation.

If you have an attic, head up there on a sunny day and see if you find any light streaks shooting through the otherwise dark area. If you are, it’s time to get your roof patched or replaced.

WATER DAMAGE

With holes in your roof come leaks, and with leaks come damage to wood, furniture, and the spreading of mold.

If your home has areas that smell heavily of mold, particularly areas where there’s not supposed to be exposed to water, your roof could be at fault.

YOUR SHINGLES HAVE CRACKS OR CURLED EDGES

Just because you’re not noticing a lot of your shingles missing doesn’t mean they’re not getting past their period of usability.

If you look at your shingles closely, are you noticing that their edges are curled up? Are you seeing deep cracks?

If you see those signs of wear, contact your local roofer to assess the condition of your roof. It could be that your roof still has a few years left, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

YOUR ROOF LOOKS VISUALLY WORN IN COMPARISON TO SIMILAR HOMES

It often doesn’t take an expert assessment to understand that your roof could use some TLC. So, for example, in your neighborhood, many homes are the same age. So look at their roofs and compare them.

Does your roof look like it’s in worse condition in comparison?

If it does, getting it touched up by a roofer or redone if necessary can get your home back on the same page with the rest of your block.

MOSS AND ALGAE BUILD-UP

If you live in an area with a lot of airborne algae, your roof can develop unsightly dark streaks. If you deal with the issue early on, you can typically deal with these streaks via cleaning with a water/bleach solution.

Similarly, if you’re in a cool climate void of sunlight, you may find moss growth between your shingles. While moss doesn’t tend to present an immediate issue for your roof, excessive growth could displace shingles and age them prematurely.

GRANULES IN YOUR GUTTER

Over time, your shingle’s granules start to become displaced. This is especially true after periods of rainfall.

While it may be hard to know how much of your shingle’s granules have been lost at a glance, looking in your gutters can be very telling. Lots of granules present in your gutters mean that your shingles are getting stripped and that your home would benefit from getting them replaced.

WRAPPING UP 10 WARNING SIGNS, YOU NEED A NEW ROOF

There you have it! Ten tell-tale signs that you need a new roof.

Granted, with some of the things we’ve listed above, you’ll want to contact a roofer to assess your roof’s health, and that assessment may not always result in the recommendation of a new roof.

The important thing is that when in doubt, you contact a roofing professional who can help you avoid potential disaster by getting out ahead of your roof-related issues.

Do you live or manage properties in the Naples or Marco Island area and are looking for a roofer to replace, repair, or assess the condition of your roof? If so, our team at John Rogers Roofing can help.

At John Rogers Roofing, Naples, Florida, we’ve been helping homeowners, and HOA’s keep their home roofs in pristine condition for years.

Let us do the same for you by scheduling your roofing appointment today!