5 Things That Can Go Wrong if You Don’t Replace Your Dated Roof on Time

Homeowners sometimes overlook the needs of their roof as there are more pressing issues and an array of other home improvement projects to go through.

However, roofs are among the biggest investments that you will make when it comes to your home, so what can be more pressing than keeping an eye on that investment?

Roofs don’t need daily care and maintenance but regular inspections and occasional repairs should be on the top of every homeowner’s priority list.

Apart from that, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your roof’s lifespan. Make sure to know how long it is expected to last and to pay greater attention to it when it reaches the end of its life.

An aging and dated roof can bring about many dangerous and costly problems. Read on to find out what they are and make sure to replace your roof on time.

Leaks and Severe Water Damage

Leaks are among the first and most common issues that result from a faulty and aging roof and they can have some of the most adverse effects on your home. 

Leaks can go undetected for a long time and lead to some devastating consequences such as severe water damage, structural instability, mold, and mildew. 

A dated roof doesn’t have the same strength and durability as it had when it was first installed and it is prone to losing its surface shingles granules. This leads to its deterioration and more frequent leaks.

A small leak can develop into a big one if it is not repaired on time. When we talk about aging roofs, these leaks will appear more frequently and will spread more easily. An old roof will be more easily damaged by the weather, tree branches or any other impact event.  

When these problems increase in number, size, and scope, you can be left with very serious water damage. 

The constant leaks in the walls or water drippings on the floor can destroy your insulation, for example. The ceilings can start to sag from the weight and the paint will start peeling off.

Mold and mildew will start to appear due to excessive moisture and you will be breathing in their hazardous spores on a daily basis, possibly suffering from headaches and breathing problems. 

The list can go on but the bottom line is that when a roof is replaced on time, you can avoid all of these serious issues or at least stop them from becoming so grave.  

Structural Instability and Potential Collapse

Apart from losing its function, an aging roof will also start to lose its integrity and stability, which can even lead to a potential roof collapse down the line. 

Your roof will have a hard time supporting any additional weight in the form of water or snow that can accumulate on it, which means that the next winter and snowfall may have a very detrimental effect on it.

A roof collapse does not happen that often, but it is nonetheless a very serious risk and a safety hazard for all the residents in the house. That is why you should take every precaution possible as a homeowner and try to prevent that risk.

Installing a new roof on time will help you maintain a stable, safe, and healthy household. 

Fire Hazard

Another consequence and a great hazard, stemming from the previously-mentioned leaks and water damage, is a house fire.

Water that seeps into your home through your walls and ceilings can easily reach your electrical wiring or outlets that are located in those same walls and ceilings.

This is one of the most dangerous issues that can arise from a dated and faulty roof that is not replaced on time. A house fire can be severely destructive and devastating, not only to your belongings, furniture, and other objects inside the house but to the residents themselves.

It can cause great injuries and even be life-threatening if the residents find themselves inside during the fire. Therefore, it is always better to be safe than sorry and prevent potential damage and injuries.

Replacing your roof on time, at the end of its lifespan or when it starts breaking down often will save you a lot of stress and worry, and also prevent grave consequences. 

Decreased Home Value

The real estate market is tough as it is, even when the property is in perfect shape. With a faulty roof, aging roof or even watermarks on your walls and ceilings, selling your house would be a nearly-impossible task.

Property in such a condition would not only be highly devalued in today’s market, but it would be very hard to sell even at low prices. By selling it at a lower price, on the other hand, i.e. under the market value, you would stand to lose a lot of money.

When buyers are looking at new homes, they don’t want a home that will bring them extra costs in the form of roof replacements or other home renovations that may be needed. They want a functional and move-in-ready house.

Installing a new roof on time, before it causes leaks, wall stains, and structural deterioration to your home, will save you money, maintain or even increase your home’s resale value, and increase your chances of selling it if you decide to do so.

Higher Replacement and Installation Costs

Delaying a roof replacement and neglecting your roof can lead to increased costs and blows to your budget in a couple of ways.

First of all, an aging, dated roof will break down more frequently. The faults in the roof will keep piling up and cause further damage not only to the roof itself but to the rest of your home as well.

You will, therefore, need to call your roofer for roof repairs more often than before, accruing additional and unnecessary costs. And the older your roof gets, the more serious and expensive the damage will be. 

Second of all, as the roof ages, it starts deteriorating more and more, and the more you wait, the deeper the damage will get. This means that not only will you have the usual surface issues, such as broken shingles and leaks, but the deterioration will start to affect the underlying structures as well.  

As a result, your roof replacement will be much more complex and much more costly. Replacing your dated roof on time, before it deteriorates so severely, will save you money, stress, and time. 

Conclusion

Overlooking or neglecting the fact that your dated roof needs replacement can easily lead to some of the very serious issues mentioned above. 

A roof is a big investment and an essential part of your home, one that keeps you safe and protected, which is why it is essential to keep track of its age and function.

Contact your top roof replacement contractors and make sure to replace your roof before it is too late.