Moving to a new house and designing the place is exciting and all, until you have to deal with actual adult tasks like roof replacement or repairs.

The average lifespan of functional roofs is 20-30 years, depending on their external exposures and your overall maintenance. But still, it pays to check once in a while before it’s too late.

Roof Assessment: What to Look Out For

Just because you have a seemingly solid roof without external damages doesn’t guarantee that it’s still in its optimum condition.

Actually, by the time you see physical impairments like this, it’s probably severe or too late already.

Source: Istockphoto.com

Let’s help you determine your home’s roof condition with these easy indicators, shall we?

Roof’s Age or Old Roof

The first thing you must ask when moving in is how old the roof is. You can ask for home improvement records or consult with the previous owners.

Based on the age, you’ll have a gauge on when it needs replacing. As mentioned, a roof installed for 20-30 years is automatically up for some roofing inspection.

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If you want to avoid long-term headaches and have the time and budget, you can have a complete roof replacement before moving in. Older roofs are bound to have damages anyway.

That way, you’re more confident that you have a properly installed roof for the long haul.

Sagging Roof or Rotting Roof

We’re pretty sure you know how a sagging roof looks. For some reason, people tend to ignore this kind of roof damage.

Source: Istockphoto.com

It’s usually caused by trapped moisture, sagging spots, or rotting boards – which is why the area droops down. When it goes unnoticed, expect some potential leaks. Or worse, it might break down.

It’s possible to repair only the area where the damage occurs. But it’s best to have a full replacement in case the rot is in more than one spot.

In some cases, the sag is mild and nearly unnoticeable. If you can’t determine it by yourself, have a professional inspection now and then to check it out for you.

Leaking Roof

It’s the easiest the spot but challenging the maintain. When actual leaking happens, the materials are more likely rotten already.

Source: Istockphoto.com

An active leak can lead to structural damage. Water damage situations are NEVER suitable for types of cement, asphalt, and any non-waterproof materials.

If you encounter severe leakage, it’s best to replace your roof entirely.

But the better news is that there are ways to detect damages. Signs of water damage will most likely show before the complete breakdown:

• Light beams (either from natural sunlight or artificial light)
• Water stains (brown, yellow stains)
• Sag or distortion of roofing material

It’s also advisable to check your attic or interior first, as this is where leaky signs often show.

Damaged Shingles on Roof

Here’s a word you’ll encounter a lot when we talk about roofing – shingles.

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In case you don’t know, shingles are those rectangular and flat materials stacked together to form the exterior of your home’s roof.

Since they’re exposed to various external factors such as UV rays, high winds, and temperature changes, they’re also prone to hail damage, wind damage, and other kinds of natural impairments.

Buckling Shingles on Roof

Others also call it curling shingles. It’s when your roof shingles start to curl up.

Source: Istockphoto.com

It’s an indicator of weak roof cement adhesives and that the shingles are not adequately attached anymore.

When a strong storm comes, you bear the risk of the shingles completely falling off – leaving small holes on your roof.

As early as curled shingles, call your roofing company for some repairs or replacement with new shingles.

Missing Shingles on Roof

This is related to buckled shingles.

If ignored, it might fly or fall off, and you’ll be surprised to see a bald spot. As soon as you notice this, contact a roofing contractor.

Source: Istockphoto.com

Most likely, you won’t need a full roof replacement.

Repairs on that area will do unless the falling off indicates more extensive damage beyond attachment problems.

Cracked Shingles, Falling Shingle Granules on Roof

Asphalt shingles are prone to hail and storm.

Usually, you’ll either notice cracked parts or granules falling from your roof. You may also find granules inside your gutters .

Shingle granules on an old roof are not surprising either. It only means that your roof has reached its age limit, and a new roof awaits your home.

Moss on Roofs

If you’re starting to see shaded corners on your roof, you may want to pay closer attention to your roof’s condition.

Once they’ve turned green, it means they’ve grown a lot.

That’s why it’s better to spot them early on, while a stiff brush can still easily remove them.

They indicate trapped moisture on your roof cement. And we know what wetness leads to -LEAKAGE! But don’t worry, mosses don’t demand a new roof altogether. They’re often manageable by repairs.

Common Causes of Roof Damage

Roof damages are more regular than we think. Don’t get too worked up in looking for a new roof because that’s just part of home maintenance.

But it helps to know what makes a roof prone to impairments. Even though you can’t avoid it, you can probably prolong the roof lifespan.

External Factors

These are the hardest ones to mitigate because natural factors are beyond our control. Rain, storm, hail, and the sun’s rays – it’s not like we can stop them from occurring.

And besides, your roof’s purpose is to protect the people inside from these things. The best thing you can do within your control is to take care of your roof correctly.

Poor Ventilation

When it rains or if you’re in an area prone to condensation, moisture is inevitable.

If done poorly, your old roof might absorb the wetness, and without a ridge vent, it will damage your roof.

If this is the case for you, we suggest increasing open areas around the house and opening windows more frequently, if possible.

Rotting Materials

One damage leads to another.

When we fail to detect early signs, it will lead to other destructions that will eventually ruin your ENTIRE ROOF.

That’s why proper maintenance is necessary.

Think of it as a regular health check-up, but for your roof.

Roof Maintenance

All of the roof situations we mentioned above indicate that it’s time to replace your roof.

You may opt for short-term repair solutions, but it’s best to aim for a sustainable solution.

But there are lots of ways to properly care for your installed roof so you can avoid constant repair and replacement costs.

Conduct Regular Inspections for Your Entire Roof

We understand that checking your roof isn’t as glamorous as designing a walk-in closet or anything like that.

But your installed roof is the most crucial part of your house.

Trust us; it’s worth the extra effort. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also book a roofing contractor to help you assess and help you replace a new roof.

Remember to Check Your Attic

Because we’re talking about a roof, you may only check the outer part. But damages often occur from the inside too.

It’s how trapped moisture goes unnoticed, especially if it’s not properly ventilated. So during your inspection, don’t forget to check from the outside and your attic!

Install a Chimney Cricket

Source: Oldhatchimneyservice.com

These things serve as a border from your chimney’s falling debris.

It’s like a mini roof attached to your chimney, so anything that falls won’t damage your roof immediately.

If It’s Time for Some Roof Replacing, Replace It!

You’d think that this is the straightforward and the most accessible advice, but the idea of replacing an old roof with an entirely new one is more inconvenient than we imagine.

To replace a roof, you’d need a lot of time, and it’s not cheap either. That’s why many people put off the roof tasks until the damages get worse – and ironically, the costs will be much higher.

If you know it’s time to replace your roof, do it. Just think of it as an investment so you won’t have to call repair services every so often.

How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

Ah, the elephant in the room. If roof replacement is so necessary, how much does it cost then?

We’re not going to lie to you – it’s expensive. It costs quite a lot depending on the material, level of damage, and how much replacing is needed.

The average cost is around $5,000 to $10,000. But there are instances wherein $1,200 would already be sufficient to cover the damage. For severe cases, the bill can reach up to $30,000 and above.

Roof repair might be more affordable. Minor fixes are around $100 to $200 only. But major repairs can reach up to $5,000 and above too.

But if you think about it, these amounts, albeit high, will last you several years.

If properly maintained, you’ll enjoy a fully functional roof for 20 years and beyond. If you will, it’s an investment for a comfortable home.

And technically, a fixed roof is crucial to the entire living situation. If you take it for granted, there’s almost no point in living in a house.

Summary [TL;DR]

If you’re in a hurry and only need a quick reference to recap everything we’ve discussed, this section is here to help.

Roof Assessment

The indicators you should look out for in assessing your roof are:

• Age of roof
• Leaking roof
• Damaged shingles (buckling/curling, missing, falling debris)

Causes of Roof Damage

Here are the common reasons as to why roofs get impaired:

• External factors (rain, storm, hail, sun)
• Poor ventilation
• Rotting materials

Roof Maintenance

Repairs and replacements cost around $5,000-$30,000. But don’t worry, there are proper ways to take care of your roof so you can avoid constant repairs:

• Conduct regular inspections
• Check internally and externally
• Install a chimney cricket for extra protection

Conclusion

That’s about all of the essential information you need when it comes to roofing assessment. We sure hope you gained knowledge or two.

Remember to invest in the crucial home fixtures first before spending on the various and minuscule aspects.

Your roof must be a part of your priority list, and we hope this article can be your go-to reference for the next time you need help.

Good luck!