How To Tell If I Need A New Roof?

How To Tell If I Need A New Roof? The roof is like a shield for your house. If it experiences damage, the entire house will have to suffer. This is why understanding when it’s time to replace the roof will save you a lot of money on interior repairs.

But how to figure out that you need a new roof? Here are 5 signs that will alert you of the necessity to replace your old and damaged roof.

1. Water leaks

One of the easiest ways to spot a damaged roof is water leaks. If after a storm you notice fresh leaks on ceiling draining down the walls, it’s time to take action. It is a obvious sign that something is wrong with your roof.

Instead of waiting for the next storm to double-check, you better call for a professional inspection. Hire a roofing company to do a detailed check-up of your roof and identify the problem. If repairs are impossible, installing a new roof will be inevitable.

2. Inside rotting

Another sign of a damaged roof is rotting. It usually accompanies water leaks and suggests that the damage is more serious and longer lasting. If you notice dark spots on the underside of the roof, it’s most probably decay caused by a moisture leak.

Removing the rot with chemicals is an awful idea that offers only a temporary fix. Yes, you will get rid of the dark spot, but not of the rot source. And with the next storm, be ready to see new stains.

Moreover, with every rainfall, the leak gets larger which causes more and more damage over time. This is why the most reasonable solution would be to replace the leaking roof with a new waterproof one.

3. Light penetration

Looking for light beams penetrating the roof can also help detect leaks. You can use a flashlight, as well as daylight if the sun shines bright. Go inside and try to notice glimmers of light passing through the shingles.

If you see any – no matter the size – your roof has leaks. The first storm will come with bad news. And if you don’t like bad news, you are better off thinking about replacing the roof.

4. Shingle rotting

Besides interior inspection, you can also look for exterior signs of a damaged roof. Luckily, this inspection is easy and requires just a ladder and a good vision. Climb the ladder up until you get a good view of the roof.

And start traveling across the roof with your eyes, looking for dark stains. If you notice any, your roof experiences water damage that can soon affect the interior of your home. Sometimes, you will need to replace just the damaged shingles.

A professional inspection will let you know exactly how severe the damage is and whether or not you need replacement.

5. Shingle pieces in the gutter

If you have a shingle roof, you can use this trick to spot any damage that is not yet visible. Look inside the gutters, better to use a flashlight. If you find any granules of shingle, it is a cause for concern. Most probably, rain washed down the tiny pieces into the gutter.

The issue may be not visible with the naked eye, but with every storm, the shingles will get thinner. Ultimately, the water will get through them at ease causing interior damage.

To prevent it from happening, you need to take action as soon as you notice first granules in the gutter. If you notice one or two shingles washing away, most probably all shingles are susceptible to this type of deterioration.

This is why, complete roof replacement is the only optimal solution in this case.

How To Tell If I Need A New Roof? – Conclusion

On the whole, replacement of the roof is inevitable if you notice signs suggesting that it’s deteriorated. The most common signs include water leaks inside the house, rotting and light beams penetrating the roof.

You can also look for rotted shingles or decayed asphalt roof that tell that your housetop needs immediate replacement. Moreover, shingle granules in the gutter may also suggest that something goes wrong with your roof. And you might need a new one.

If you don’t have time to inspect the roof yourself, you can call a professional team of roofers. They will not only troubleshoot your roof but will also be happy to replace it.