Only a well-built and regularly maintained roofing system can protect your home from the weather. But even with proper inspections carried out by trusted roofing contractors, you need to know that roofing systems can only stay as effective as their expected lifespan. This is why it helps to be aware of your roof’s exact age to know whether or not it’s time to get a replacement.
If you’re planning to buy a new home this spring, knowing about its remodeling history helps in how much you’ll need to spend on additional repairs. Ideally, you’d want to move into a home that’s practically ready to move in, but this won’t always be the case depending on what your priorities are. For instance, you might find a home that needs a new roof, but you’re still willing to pay for the renovations if it’s in a neighborhood or an area that you prefer.
Even if you’re just considering a major renovation for your current home, you need to be aware of its renovation history. If you’re not sure where to start, you can always inquire about the roof’s age to know how often it was maintained and repaired.
Why You Need to Know Your Roof’s Age
Knowing the age of your roof is crucial as it will help you decide whether you need to pay for repairs or a full replacement. Your roof’s age lets you determine whether it can still stay effective for a few more years or if a full replacement is necessary. This is also important when looking for a new home as it can help you gauge whether it’s ready to move in after purchase or if it needs some renovating.
Determining Your Roof’s Age
While you can probably see some of the visible damage on your roof’s surface, such as loose shingles or missing flashing, this only indicates that it needs extensive repairs. This is to be expected throughout its lifespan since it’s constantly exposed to the elements. Even damaged shingles are often visible from ground level, but then this doesn’t indicate their true age. The only way to determine this is through a professional roofing inspection.
If you’re only planning a spring renovation for your home and have kept the records, then a full roofing inspection won’t probably be necessary. However, this is often required if you’re house-hunting and what you’re considering for purchase doesn’t have its renovation records available. Only trained and experienced roofers know the signs of advanced age when they see them and can provide you with a reliable assessment of your roof’s condition.
Even if the roof looks mostly intact, don’t second guess its age. As you’re inspecting your new home, you can still find out about its age by asking the previous owners. Records can be like a receipt, invoice or anything similar that indicates the date of when it was last inspected, maintained and repaired. Even the previous owner should have a copy if they haven’t discarded them yet. You can also ask the name of the roofing contractors they hired for the job and contact them for a copy of a receipt or invoice. This shouldn’t be difficult as most companies tend to keep records of all the previous work they’ve done.
When Should You Get a Roof Replacement?
Knowing your roof’s age lets you prepare for when you need it replaced. A full roof replacement is a big investment, yet it’s necessary to keep the rest of your home safe and secure from the outdoor elements. As such, you need to prepare yourself financially even if you’re not fully aware of your current roof’s age. This is because you’ll never know whether you suddenly need it in case your home’s exterior suffers major damage! Some of the telltale signs include:
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Major Weather Damage
While your roofing system will stay mostly intact during severe weather conditions, that also means it can suffer a significant amount of damage. Strong winds combined with hail can inflict damage to the roof. Even if it’s just a strong windy day, it can still turn objects into projectiles and hurl them onto the roof’s surface. They can even be strong enough to cause overhanging branches to fall and damage the chimneys, flashing and other parts of your roof.
Damaged shingles are also caused by major weather conditions. They can be the result of strong winds, constant exposure to heat or simply just natural wear and tear. They’re often a sign of other types of damage, such as water leaks, which means it has already affected the inner structure. It can even be a sign of improper roof installation or ventilation! Either way, curled or missing shingles are a big indication that a full replacement is needed. If left unaddressed, a weather-damaged roof can cause problems to the rest of your home and more costly repairs.
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Poor Ventilation
A well-built roofing system should have enough intake and exhaust vents to keep the air circulating in your attic and ensure your home’s energy efficiency. They’re usually installed around the same time as the rest of your roof, which means they experience deterioration like the rest of its components.
Even if your roof looks fine on the surface, the vents’ condition shouldn’t be overlooked so they must be checked thoroughly as well. Otherwise, the air won’t circulate properly, and moisture can build up within the structure, causing rot, mold and mildew growth.
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Sagging
This is one of the more visible types of damage on your roof. This is caused by rot in the wooden components, which can be a result of long-term exposure to moisture, mold and mildew. If you see that it’s visibly sagging or drooping in some areas, don’t think twice about getting a full replacement because, depending on the level of damage, it may collapse at any time.
Our team at Paddy’s has years of experience in the home improvement industry. Don’t hesitate to hire us for your home improvement project, whether it’s to check your roof or simply repair chimneys! To get started, just call us at (302) 388-3625, or fill out our convenient contact form.
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