Roof problems are among the most expensive problems you are likely to have with your home. As such, homeowners want their roofs to last as long as possible. For many, this includes putting off roof replacement and just keep repairing the roof far past it’s original life expectancy.
In cases of homeowners who have kept up with yearly maintenance, extending even regular shingle roof’s lives past the expected lifespan is a real option. Properly maintained roofs can last years past their expected life along with quality materials and expert installation.
For others, however, trying to get a roof that is past it’s expiration date to stay together, especially if regular maintenance wasn’t performed, can be an almost impossible task. Plugging a hole here, covering up a puncture there only goes so far.
A failing roof doesn’t mean simply dripping water here and there, it could mean damage to your walls, frame, driveway, even the foundation of your home. The longer replacing a beat up roof is put off, the more it can cost you in the end.
If your roof is approaching or past it’s expected lifetime and you are contemplating repairs to give you more time, consider the costs should the roof fail completely. For older roofs, it’s often a matter of not if it will fail but when.
If you’re asking yourself if you should repair or replace your roof, look for the following:
Missing, torn, or old shingles
Torn or missing shingles can open your roof up to water damage and rot, as well as allowing shingles nearby to be blown off by winds. Old shingles will curl and split, negating any waterproofing protection. Left alone, it is only a matter of time before the leaks start.
Missing or Rusted Flashing
Flashing is the metal that surrounds the valleys where roof sections meet as well as around chimneys, vent pipes, and skylights. These exist to protect weaker areas from water, if missing or rusted, they aren’t able to protect these areas and roof leaks are imminent.
Decayed or Damaged Gutters & Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are extremely critical to a healthy roof, while keeping these free of debris, take a look at what’s in them, finding scraps of roofing or paint chips could indicate a problem with the roof. If found, it is important to have the roof inspected as soon as possible as even the smallest problems can become the biggest headaches if left untreated.
Indoors, peeling wallpaper, cracked paint or discolored plasterboard can indicate hidden leaks that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Leaks aren’t always obvious and the earlier they are caught the better, but even if your roof isn’t leaking (yet), it could be time to replace it before the leaks start and the damage grows beyond the roof. The best way to know if it’s time to replace your aging roof is to have it professorially inspected, Atlanta Roofing Specialists will be able to clearly explain your situation and if roof replacement is right for you.
If your roof begins failing, your entire house is at risk. From the foundation to the ceilings, a failing roof has the potential to destroy the very thing it’s designed to protect. Like car tires, you can patch your roof and it may work but after a while, the materials break down and the risk for disaster becomes unavoidable.In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists offers a full range of roofing services to residential and commercial residents. For a free estimate call us today at 770-419-2222.
