When Is It Time To Replace Your Roof

By Cheryl Smith, Solid Rock Roofing

Roofs aren’t meant to last forever. Most roofs last around 20-25 years before they’re in need of maintenance or replacement. If your roof is over 20 years old, chances are you need a new one. While normal wear and tear takes a toll on your roof over time, singular events like storms, heavy winds and natural disasters can also cause significant damage.

Issues with your roof can happen thanks to Mother Nature or they can progress over many years, so the team at Solid Rock Roofing say it’s important to know what signs and symptoms you should look out for, such as:

Curled, cracked and buckled shingles. These could be signs the shingles have gone past their life expectancy.
Shingle granules in the gutter. Shingles tend to lose granules as they age. When these granules start to collect in your gutter, it’s a sign your roof may need a repair.
Skyrocketing utility bills. Your roof acts as an insulator. It keeps the cold in during the summer and heat in during the winter. As your roof ages, it’s ability to maintain a consistent temperature declines. Your roof’s lack of quality insulation could be why your bills are higher than normal.
Leaking. If your roof shows any sign of leakage, it’s time to replace or repair it immediately. Issues like leaking tend to snowball, so it’s necessary to get out in front of the problem. Also, be wary of sunlight in your attic. If there are any holes in your roof, you will be able to notice streaks of light coming in through your roof.
Sagging. If your roof is sagging, call someone immediately. A sagging roof is indicative of a faulty structure.
It just looks bad. If your roof appears ratty, tattered or discolored, it may be time to explore replacement options. Watch out for algae or moss. While they aren’t physically harmful to your roof, algae and moss can pose cosmetic issues.

Finding a reliable contractor when it’s finally time to replace your roof can be tough. When searching for a contractor, talk with family and friends about past experiences and get recommendations. Obtain quotes in writing from different contractors. Check your contractor’s insurance coverage for things like worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability. Make sure you are on the same page as your contractor when it comes to understanding the full scope of the project. Get a detailed contract that states exactly what will be done, information on clean up and waste removal, materials to be used and how much it will cost. Be sure to get warranty information in writing too. Also, check contractors out with the Better Business Bureau.

And, if you want a trustworthy roofing contractor turn to a BBB Accredited roofer like Solid Rock Roofing.