Usually, homeowners do not give too much thought to their roof unless there is a leak, and you may operate the same way. While understandable, this approach can result in unnecessary spending and potential damage to your home and finances. Learn how to recognize the signs that it may be time to consider not just roof repairs, but an entirely new roof.
Check Your Records
Take a close look at home improvement documents and records. Specifically, see if you can find out the installation date for your current roof. The type of roof you have now has a shelf life. For instance, asphalt shingle roofs commonly last for 20 to 25 years. If you are nearing that mark, talk with roofing contractors Lake County IL to see if they recommend that you start saving up for a brand-new roof.
Look in Your Attic
Rather than only inspect your roof’s exterior, check your home’s interior. Climb into the attic and check under your eaves. If you notice stains, streaks or shafts of light piercing through, it could be that you have a leaky roof that needs patching or replacing.
Inspect the Shingles
If you feel up to it, climb up to your roof to take a close, careful look at your shingles. Your roof’s shingles should lay flat and remain intact. Any buckling, cracking, missing shingles or other types of damage requires immediate attention. Besides the shingles themselves, check the gutters for bits of deteriorated shingle. The presence of an abundance of shingle granules may mean that your roof has almost reached its end.
Examine the Flashing
Chimneys, vents and skylights have flashing designed to prevent water and the ravages of the weather from trickling inside your home. When flashing cracks or breaks, you could develop a moisture problem, which could result in mildew or mold. Rather than replace the roof, you may need to install new flashing.
A couple of times a year, check on your roofing. Doing so regularly is sure to help in the long run.
