Do you own a home that is quite old or is aging rapidly? In that case, you must be one of them who often wonder about the right time to need to a new roof. It is needless to say that the roof your house is one of those parts of the structure that saves you and the family inside from the wrath of the changing weather conditions. In return, it gets all the beating given by Mother Nature. As a result of this, it often gets damaged earlier than its time. Thus, it is always better to keep an eye on the roof of your house to check and see whether anything is wrong with it or not.
As a homeowner, one of the most common questions that may be haunting your mind is, when it is the right time to replace your existing roof. You may also wish to know how frequently you need to change the roof of your house. It is true that trying to find answers to such questions may prove to be trickier than you can imagine. It may also happen that the answers you seek may not be at the same place.
Tips to Perform a Roof Check From The Inside
A simple way to evaluate the condition of your roof is to go up to the attic with a flashlight. Choose a flashlight with a bright beam so that you are able to see every minute detail of the roof from the inside. There are several things to check for when you reach the roof on site.
- Check for Daylight through the Roof Boards: You need to check for any daylight entering the attic through the roof board. This, you need to do before you turn the flashlight on. Repair or replace the roof immediately if there is any sign of daylight entering the attic.
- Check for Dark Stains or Streaks: If you ever notice any dark stains or streaks on the underside of your house roof or even running down the walls from the very base of the roof, better get it replaced immediately. These signs mean that the roof is leaking somewhere and moisture is ruining the structure of the house and roof.
- Check for Sagging Areas: Just like water can make any cardboard box weak and soggy, it can have a similar effect on the structure of your house roof. If you see that some areas of the roof is sagging, try to prod it with the help of a broom or your own hand. If the spot feels wet and soft, get the roof changed immediately.
Tips to Perform a Roof Check From The Outside
Once you are done checking from the inside, you need to check the condition of your roof from the outside as well. Checking it from the outside can help you save a lot of money. This is because checking it from the outside can actually help you identify a roof damage before it gets really serious.
- Water Damage and Leaks: There may be obvious leaks, sagging spots, dark stains and rotting tiles which are all signs of positive damages to the roof. Avoid ignoring such signs and get the roof replaced immediately, even if the sign is small. It may grow serious before you even know it.
- Rotting: If your roof is made of asphalt or wood, rotting will seem like a common thing. Always look out for signs of decaying and rotting of the roof. Some of the signs of rotting would be broken or missing tiles. Rotten tiles or even moldy buildup on some of the tiles.
- Decaying Shingles: Just like asphalt and wooden roofs rot, shingled roofs tend to crack and decay easily. Always lookout for spots that have missing shingles and spots with buckling, curling or cracking shingles. If you notice these, get the roof changed.
- Roof Flashing or Damaged Chimney: If you have a chimney, it is very common to find flashing at its base. If the flashing is made of roof tar or cement, it is highly vulnerable to damage caused by water. It will not be a bad idea to replace it with a more durable metal flashing system.
As a former CEO of a medium-sized business, I have a lot of experience in different aspects of business and finance. Now that I am retired, I love to share my knowledge with others and also love to help young entrepreneurs create and grow their life-long passions.
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