A large number of variables can affect the performance and durability of your roof. How to determine if you need to replace your roof? The specialists at Les Industries IKO have created this practical list that will help .
You determine whether or not it is time to replace your roof.
Leaking Roof
The biggest clue that you may need a new roof is if you find water inside your home. Check your attic regularly, especially after a rainstorm, or if you notice an ice dam along the eaves. Look there for signs of water penetration, as major leaks are most likely to start there. Keep in mind, however, that water can infiltrate a good distance – through beams and inside walls for example – from the point of infiltration to where the leaks are visible.
Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts, flows to the eaves and freezes. Water that continues to melt and collide with the ice dam can flow up under the asphalt shingles and into the roof deck.
As we have already mentioned, it may not be necessary to replace the entire roof to correct this type of problem. Only a few shingles or part of the flashing may have been torn off, exposing the underlying decking to the elements.
However, you should never hesitate to have this type of problem checked and correct it immediately, before it gets worse, costs increase or the roof needs to be replaced. Most master roofers offer affordable roof inspection services.
Stain
water on the ceiling or along interior walls, and drops of water falling inside your home require intervention to discover the cause: there could be a leak or condensation. In winter, warm, humid air is particularly prone to rising and condensing in the attic where it stagnates and leaks through the ceiling.
Ceiling water damage
Most water leaks start out smaller than those shown here. At the first sign of a water stain, look for the source of the leak. Although a water leak is not always caused by a roof problem, the cause should be resolved as quickly as possible to keep damage and costs to a minimum.
Paint Damage
Peeling or blistering paint, swelling in woodwork – inside or out – can be caused by water accumulating behind it.
Far from being cosmetic, these defects indicate a serious leak that may be caused (or not) by a defective roof that must be checked first.
The presence of mold
Mold on ceilings or walls can be a sign of a leaking roof, the result of condensation problems, or a simple plumbing problem. Check that your insulation is dry, that your home is adequately ventilated, and that bathroom fixtures and water pipes are not leaking or seeping. These are less expensive problems to correct than replacing a roof.
In addition to creating ugly stains and indicating possible roof damage, mold can have a harmful effect on your home’s air quality and your family’s health. This problem must be resolved as soon as possible.
Loss of granules
When you remove leaves from your gutters in the fall, you may see some color granules that have accumulated there. Depending on the age of your roof shingles and the natural weathering process, this is not unusual unless there is an excessive amount of granules present. But, what do we mean by “excessive”?
While there is no way to precisely quantify excess granule loss, the best indication is to check the shingles. When manufactured, they are coated with more granules than is necessary. It is therefore normal for the superfluous granules to come off first. Even on brand new shingles, you can see the black asphalt in which the granules are embedded. However, if your roof has relatively large bare areas indicating that granules have loosened and exposed the black asphalt to the elements, you should replace the damaged shingles. If the problem is not limited to just a few shingles, it is probably time to replace your roof. An accredited roofer can help you with your decision.
The roofs of century-old homes and log cabins are often supported by logs or wooden beams which tend to warp and bend over time due to too much humidity or heavy snow. In new homes, the integrity of the structure may be affected due to ground settlement or seismic activity. The presence of cracks or stress fractures in a home’s foundation can potentially distort the walls and create a space where water can seep. So, before you even consider replacing the roof, make sure that the structure of your home is solid, because if it is not, you risk having the same problems once your roof is replaced. This would then be a real waste of money.