Most people don’t think that they need a new roof until it’s far too late. Living in South Florida, weather conditions can wreak havoc on your roof. Regular wear-and-tear combined with humidity and seasonal hurricanes can cause severe roof damage over time. It’s important to be aware of the signs that you need a new roof. If you need a new roof, then you shouldn’t waste any time. The longer you wait for a roof replacement, the more damage it may cause to the exterior and interior of your home.Here, we’ve broken things down into 5 definitive signs that your roof may need a replacement. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?
1.Take A Look At Your Home Improvement Records
Typically, a shingle asphalt roof lasts around 20 to 25 years. A roof installed over an existing layer of shingles should be replaced after 20 years. You should review your home improvement records to find out how long ago your roof was replaced or reshingled.
Knowing when your roof was initially installed when the house was built also offers some much-needed insight into whether or not your roof should be replaced. If you find that your roof was installed more than 20 years ago, then the next step would be to have it checked by a professional, or even grab a latter and check things out for yourself.
2.Check Your Roof Shingles
It’s always a good idea to do some inspection of your own before getting ahead of yourself. Inspect your roof’s shingles to ensure that they’re laying flat against the roof. If you find cracks, bucking, or any other damage on the patches, then your roof is probably not in the greatest shape.While you’re up there, check the gutters and downspouts for shingle granules. If your roof is losing a significant amount of these shingle granules, then you’re definitely in need of a new roof.
3.Inspect Your Flashing System
Flashing around your chimney, vents, and skylight seals the seams of your roof from hard weather conditions. This is vital for those that live in the South Florida area since Florida is famous for its seasonal weather storms. Take the time to examine your roof flashing system for holes, cracks, or breaks. These factors could lead to roof leaks. If your home is on the older side, you may want to upgrade from a roofing cement or tar flashing system to a metal one for optimized durability.
4. Check For Rotting & Excessive Moisture
Moisture is the ultimate culprit for rot and water damage. If your roof is overly moist, sagging, or drooping, then this is a tell-tale sign that you need a new roof. Make sure to check the lowest points of your roof, since rotting occurs the most in this area.
5. Don’t Let Moss Be The Boss
Most people enjoy having plants surrounding their homes. They look nice, make the air smell good, and have other beneficial air quality improvement properties. However, moss can collect in certain areas of your roof that are already damaged. The damaged areas are most likely collecting excess moisture, which can completely destroy your roof.
Moisture is the enemy for any rooftop. It can lead to irreparable roof leaks, which can cause water damage and mold infestations within the interior of your home.
Professional Roof Replacement
If you have an asphalt shingle roof in South Florida, then your roof may be especially susceptible to damage. Buckling and curling of shingled roofs can cause significant roof board damage, and thus, requires immediate attention.
Your roof valley can start to corrode over time, especially if they trap leaves, twigs, or other outdoor debris. Even if you take impeccable care of your roof, your roof’s asphalt shingles are always vulnerable to inevitable damage over time.
It’s not recommended to perform your own roof repair or replacement efforts if you’re inexperienced.
Sometimes, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. The expert roof replacement pros at USA Home Improvement have all of the roofing materials needed to perform any roofing job. You can be sure to count on us for all of your roof replacement needs so that you can rest easy knowing that you have the best possible roof over your head.
