25/08/2015
Need A New Roof?
Have you been thinking of installing a new roof or wonder if you need to repair your roof? The roof of your home is the first layer of protection against the elements. It also serves an important function in your home’s insulation system. A failing roof may happen slowly: a clogged gutter can push water under the shingles of a roof, soaking the plywood support underneath causing buckling. Shingles may have poor connection points and allow rain to leak in. The waterproof barrier may be of poor quality and allow moisture to deteriorate the trusses holding up the roof. Ventilation may be poor, allowing moisture to build up in the attic and creating a matted insulation layer that stops functioning. Or a failing roof can occur suddenly: a branch or tree that falls on the roof and damages a section may cause minor tears or major holes. All of these issues will eventually create an inefficient and structurally inadequate protection for your home and your family.
Recognizing a damaged roof
How do you know your roof needs replacing? Obvious signs like buckling, cracked or missing shingles, worn-looking shingles and leaks into the interior are all indications of a deteriorating roof. What’s not always obvious are other signs of an inadequate roof like a higher-than-average electrical bill (indicating a poor roofing ventilation system), cracked or blistered exterior paint (indicating high humidity due to poor ventilation), interior mold or mildew growth (possibly due to excess moisture underneath the roof layers), water damage or stains in attic or ceiling following heavy snow or ice (ice blockages or dams possibly caused water to leak under the shingles). If you live in an older home, and the roof hasn’t been replaced in 20 years, you may be in the position to install a new, upgraded roof.
Repairing versus replacing a roof
Whether or not you should repair a damaged area versus replacing the whole roof should be a decision made with the help of a professional roofer. If your roof is in great condition, with the exception of one area damaged in a storm, for example, you may be able to replace just the damaged area. An expert roofer can asses by visual inspection and by walking around the surface of the roof to see if it is in need of a full replacement. Some roofing manufacturers may not grant a warranty to a roof that is partially replaced, so be sure to ask the pros and cons of a full or partial replacement.
