Roofs don’t last forever, but most can last up to 30 years with the right maintenance and attention. Homeowners are encouraged to perform a roofing inspection at least twice a year to look for signs that roof repairs are needed. Annual inspections are also a great way to check for these signs indicating that a roof replacement is necessary.

How to Know When It’s Time for a Roof Replacement

1. Shingles Are Missing

Storms and animals can pry shingles loose from your roof and leave spots bare, so if you see missing shingles, contact a roofing contractor. A roofer can determine if the individual shingles can be replaced, but finding a match for the existing color of your shingles can sometimes be tricky.

In some cases, the bare spot has caused damage to the underlayment by allowing moisture to accumulate within the structure, leading to rotting boards or sagging areas. If so, your roofing inspector might recommend a total roof replacement.

2. Your Roof Is Sagging

A dip or depression in your home’s ceiling can be a sign that a roof replacement is needed due to the entire roof having structural damage. This can occur when your attic vents become clogged, preventing moisture from filtering out of the space, which allows mold to grow. The wood in your roof’s structure will then weaken and bow from the rot, compromising your roof deck and attic support beams. Contact a roof inspector as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring. 

3. You Find Leaks In Your Attic

Periodic inspections of your attic, especially after heavy rain, are an easy way to check for leaks in your roof. Leaks inside your attic can be small or large, but both will damage your support beams and ceiling. While small leaks can be patched, more significant and frequent leaks can cause rot and mold, damaging the support beams in your roof.

Larger leaks are usually due to holes in your roof that are caused by storm damage, invading pests, or missing shingles. If you find brown water spots on your ceiling, puddles of water on the support beams, or sunlight coming through cracks or holes in your attic, get an expert roofer’s opinion on the extent of the damage and what repairs they would recommend.

 

Homeowners in the Cedarville, OH, area can rely on the general contractors at ZCI Residential for roofing inspections, repairs, and replacements. Their team specializes in storm, fire, and water damage restoration, including roof replacements. Call (937) 697-5063 for a free quote or visit them online to learn more about their flexible payment options.