Roof replacement isn’t one of those home repair necessities that people generally like to think about. It’s time-consuming, it’s very involved and it can be costly, and none of those aspects are particularly appealing to a family simply trying to get by on what they have. But keeping a roof maintained is one of the best ways for a home to stay in tip-top shape for years to come. Why? Well, it’s fairly simple.
You need a roof for protection.
I know, I know: Duh, right? But think about it: You wouldn’t invest so much time and money into a project if you didn’t care one way or another about the outcome. It’s the same thing with good roofing. Commercial roofing contractors understand this, and that’s why you can count on your local team to handle your roof the right way, protecting against too much snow, rain or other damaging weather-related problems.
It’s relatively easy to tell when you need roof replacement.
Here’s a little experiment you can do at home. Stand in one spot and look up to the ceiling. If you see any kind of visible light poking on it from above — no matter how faint it might be — you’re probably in desperate need of roof replacement. And in that situation, we’re talking as soon as possible. Look out for leaks, too, and any other signs of wear your roof might show when it’s in need of some repair.
Take a walk around the perimeter of your house.
OK, leaks and holes in the roof are easy enough to spot. But if you’re not particularly well-versed in the world of roofing, here are a few other things you should be on the lookout for. Bald spots and missing shingles can easily lead to weakened areas, and any region that’s sagging is already in jeopardy of falling through and causing serious damage to the property. Catching these repairs early can significantly increase the longevity of your roof.
Depending on where you live, you’ll need to keep water issues in mind.
Just because snow isn’t as instantly drenching as rain doesn’t mean it can’t cause long-term problems to your shingles. Snow is much heavier, which means it can put a severe strain on the support of the roof. Plus, any kind of lasting precipitation can lead to bad water damage — which, on average, costs an American homeowner around $3,500 in repairs — or substantial mold growth, which is often toxic. It helps to call in the pros at the first sign of something wrong with your roofing. Get more here.