When Should You Replace Your Roof?
How do you know when to replace your roof? Toms River roofing experts explain that the answer depends, in part, on the lifespan of the roofing materials. Asphalt shingles will last for approximately 30 years, and cedar shakes will last for approximately 20 years. Tile and metal roofs can last for up to 100 years, and concrete roofing should never need to be replaced. However, the roof’s underlying sheathing has about the same lifespan as asphalt shingles: 30 to 35 years.
You should inspect your roof for damage twice a year. Inspect metal and tile roofs from the ground using binoculars. Tiles can break if you walk on them, and metal roofs are dangerously slippery. You can inspect other roofing materials from the ground or by climbing onto the roof. A close-up inspection makes it easier to check for details like loose nails or flashing.
On the interior, look for leaks in the attic or down walls, especially after a hard, wind-driven rain or the formation of an ice dam. Examine interior walls and ceilings for peeling or blistering paint, mold, mildew and water stains.
Examine exterior walls for blistering or peeling paint and decaying siding or sheathing.
Examine the areas under the eaves or overhangs for water damage. Check gutters for leaks, sags or sandy-looking granules from shingles. An accumulation of granules is a sign that shingles are suffering serious deterioration.
When inspecting the roof, look for cracked or missing shingles, tiles or shakes as well as warped, curled or torn shingles. Examine wood shakes for moss and damage from boring insects such as termites and carpenter ants. Make sure that the flashing around tube lights, skylights, solar panels and vents and along where sections of the roof join is undamaged and secure. Look for popped or rusty nails or rust stains around nails. You should remove clogs from your gutters at least once a year, but you should also check the ventilation system for your roof for clogs. Note sections of your roof that do not feel sound when you walk upon them, and watch for areas where the roof sags, is uneven or has holes.
You can use these tips to perform a preliminary inspection yourself, but hiring a professional ensures that no signs of trouble are missed. A professional is also the best person to advise you on whether the roof can be repaired or if it must be replaced. The experts at Fortified Roofing, Toms River roofing contractors can answer your questions about new roofs or gutters.
Term explained by Fortified Roofing, Toms River roofing contractors:
Sheathing
Sheathing refers to boards or sheeting, including particle board or plywood, that is attached to the frame of the house or the rafters as support for siding, shingles, or other wall and roof coverings.
Toms River roofing contractors from Fortified Roofing answer a question:
What damage can occur to roofing materials?
Asphalt shingles can be loosened or blown away by high winds. Dry climates cause cedar shakes to split and fall apart. Moist climates, however, encourage moss to grow. Termites and carpenter ants also attack shakes. On a tile roof, individual tiles may break. Aluminum and copper roofs can be dented by hailstones that steel roofs can withstand
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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!
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