8 Signs It’s Time for a New Roof

Sep 24, 2022Blog, Roofing

Among the most important requirements to live, having shelter is right up there with food and water. Having a roof over your head to protect you from the elements is crucial to basic living requirements, which is why taking care of the one you’ve got is important.

Depending on your climate, location, and other factors, the lifespan of your roof is not indefinite. In colder, wet environments, such as the Great Lakes area, ice storms, wind, and the hot summer months take their toll on even the strongest roofs.

Since you need to take care of your greatest investment–your home–here are some signs to look for that are a good indication it is time for a new roof. Revive Restoration is on your side when it comes to effective and timely roof repair or replacement, so feel free to contact us.

Time for a New Roof

Between the harsh conditions of water, temperature change, and UV radiation from the sun, your roofing materials can take a beating over the years. Even if you started with a 30-year roof, the materials could only withstand so much in practical conditions. Hail, strong winds, and wet conditions can significantly reduce your roof’s lifespan.

Roofing Materials

Here are some roofing materials that are typical of homes.

  • Asphalt shingles: One of the cheapest and most common types of shingles, they have a lifespan of around 10 to 30 years.
  • Wood shaker shingles: These hand-cut shingles are a slightly different aesthetic and generally last 15 to 20 years.
  • Slate: A more durable type of shingle, slate is quarried stone sheets and withstands the elements for 50 years or more.
  • Tile: Spanish tile and other ceramic or concrete variations give your roof a life expectancy of 50 years.
  • Metal: Sheet metal roofs are durable and long-lasting but might not have the curb appeal of other roofing materials. They can withstand punishment from the elements for at least fifty years.
  • Many others: There are many creative ways to keep a roof over your head. From thatch to composite, check out some other examples of roofing materials here.

Replace your roof

damaged roof

When your roof is damaged, the rest of your home is susceptible to the elements, especially water damage. Most people don’t climb up on ladders regularly for a roof inspection, which would be a straightforward way of telling if there was damage. So here are eight things to look for that might indicate that you need a partial or full roof replacement.

  • Pitted or damaged shingles: Hail storms are tough on roofs, with some hailstones leaving large pits in roof shingles. These dents can cause a breach in the roofing material and allow water to pass through. You can often see these pits from the ground if the damage was enough. Hail reaching the marble size or larger is sure to have caused damage and is worth calling in an expert to inspect your roof.
  • Distressed shingles: Wind storms can pull apart shingles, leaving them to look ruffled or even bare. Even looking up from the ground, you can see gaps between the layers of shingles caused by wind. Finding shingles in your yard after a bad wind storm is a good reason to call an expert.
  • Water spots: Inside the home, an indication of damage to your roof system is the appearance of dark spots in your ceiling or walls. This is where rain and other precipitation have come through and are discoloring your drywall and other materials.
  • Dripping: After a rain storm or melt-off, you might be able to hear the sound of water dripping between the roof and ceiling. This indicates significant water coming in and potentially a lot of damage. You might even see water dripping through, which is a big indication something is wrong.
  • Gutters: Check your gutters for what appears to be sand. This could be the individual particles of grit that comprise your asphalt shingles. Over time, water will erode these surfaces, and the grit will collect in your gutters.
  • Warping: Water will cause building materials such as wood to warp. When your roof system is working properly, water runs down the roof, through the gutters, and away from your home. If you notice warping on the boards or cladding around gutters and other parts of the walls on the exterior of your home, water could be running underneath the shingles or tiles, where it is coming into prolonged contact with wood. Warped interior walls also show where water is entering the home.
  • Animal friends: One of the more obvious ways to tell if your roof needs replacement is when animals start taking up residence on your roof. Squirrels, rats, and other rodents often find the gaps in your home’s armor and make nests there. Bats have been known to infest damaged Spanish tile roofs, and their droppings and other waste can cause even more damage to the roof system underneath the tile. Usually, if a roof system is intact, it prevents animals from finding their way inside.
  • The smell: When water breaches a roof, it can propagate mold. Growing mold colonies can create a musty smell as the enzymes begin to digest cellulose in your walls and attic.

Roof Inspection

 

roof inspection

The longer you wait to have a roof inspection, the more potential damage there could be to your roof system. Not only would a shingle or surface replacement be needed, but there could be damage to the underlayment and structural damage to joists, trusses, and beams over time. If you suspect damage to your roof, it is important to get a roof inspection.

Just as you would take your car to a mechanic for a routine diagnostic or a doctor for a checkup, your roof is an important part of your home and needs attention from time to time. Revive Restoration can help.

Call Revive Restoration to help

If you have experienced one or more of these signs, it is time to consult an expert. Revive Restoration knows that your roof goes a long way to protecting your home and other investments. After all, your roof is your first and probably most important line of defense against the elements.

Contact us if you’re in need of roof damage repair or replacement. We have years of experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin roofing and can provide an estimate and projected restoration timeline.