You may be asking yourself, “Do I need a new roof?” If you are also asking yourself the following questions, then you should seriously consider a roof replacement:
1. Upon inspection of my roof, I noticed algae growth. Do I need a new roof?
2. I noticed curling and blistering on my roof. Do I need a new roof?
3. I see that some of my shingles are missing or broken. Do I need a new roof?
4. I noticed some rotting. Do I need a new roof?
5. I saw several dark patches and they appear dirty. Do I need a new roof?
6. I observed some sagging and buckling in my roof’s structure. Do I need a new roof?
If the answers to any of these questions are “yes,” consider a simple formula of economics. If you have a roof that is knowingly in need of repair, and may need a lot more maintenance in the future, would it be better to continue repairing your current roof or should you have it completely replaced? It may be less expensive, in the long run, to spend the money now on a new roof rather than continuously repairing one that is already damaged. In addition, a new roof may lessen the chance of extensive damage and insurance claims during a future storm or other inclement weather.
Before deciding whether to repair or replace your roof, inspect it carefully for any signs of damage or deterioration. It’s important to remember that, during inspection, avoid walking on your roof if at all possible as this may cause further damage to the structure. It is advisable to use binoculars or a ladder to get the best view possible. There are two ways to inspect your roof, which includes both an outside and inside inspection.
The outside inspection is, perhaps, the easiest and should be done first. Most outward signs of damage can be seen immediately. There are specific signs to indicate that your roof may need to be replaced, including algae growth, curling, blistering, missing or broken shingles, missing granules, rotting, damaged flashing, buckling, loose or exposed nails, dark patches that appear “dirty,” sagging in the center of the roof or the presence of rust.
The inside inspection may take more time and effort, but is essential in determining the best outcome for your home. There are a number of indoor signs to indicate that your roof may be in need of replacing, including ceiling spots, sagging between the rafters or an outside light that is visible through the roof. The most obvious of the signs, which are ceiling spots, are easily visible and would be a clear indication of leakage. If a roof is found to be leaking, and appropriate repairs are not made, the water damage may cause additional damage to your insulation and increase energy costs. If you locate dark spots in the wood, test them in order to decide if the problem is one of immediate concern. If the spot feels soft to the touch or is damp, the indication would be that the problem is a current one. On the other hand, if the spot is dry, it’s possible that this is a previous problem that has been corrected or is no longer an issue.
If you find any of these signs to be present, contact a roofing contractor for a professional evaluation. Before deciding for yourself, ask for their opinion and request an estimate. In some cases, a simple repair may be all that is needed to correct a problem. However, if the problem is going to be reoccurring, consider the possibility of replacing the roof entirely. For instance, if your roof shows signs of rotting, this could be a larger problem in the future if it has spread throughout the structure. If, on the other hand, a few shingles are in need of repair, you wouldn’t necessarily want to replace the roof entirely. When making any major home improvement, consider each option carefully before making a final decision.
Main Causes of Roof Damage
Damages to a Southport roof can have many causes. Some of the causes of roof damage are connected to the type of roof you have. Whether you are trying to protect and extend the life of an existing roof or you want to protect a new roof, here are some of the main causes of roof damage.
1. Poor Maintenance. It is important to regularly inspect your roof for small problems and damages and immediately make repairs. This is especially true if your roof has little or no slope. Regular inspection and maintenance will prevent small minor damage from becoming a major problem or leak.
2. Wind Damage. Over time any wind can loosen nails in roofing materials. When this happens, a moderate wind can damage the roof. Strong winds and flying debris can also damage a roof, often removing some or all of the roofing material. The best way to avoid this potential damage is to check the roofing and the insulation regularly to be sure it is securely attached to the roof deck. You should also have a secure perimeter fastener.
3. Other Weather Damage. Most roofing materials can be damaged over time by exposure to various weather conditions. If you live in an area likely to see large snow accumulations, you need to be sure the roof is adequately supported against the weight of the snow and properly sloped so the snow will not stay on the roof any longer than necessary. If you live in an area prone to hailstorms, you should know that hail can cause serious roof damage, and you should carefully inspect your roof after every hailstorm. The sun, pollutants in the air and other chemicals in the air or in the rain can also damage roofing materials. Inspection and repair of minor damages can prevent big trouble.
4. Problems with Flashing. Because the purpose of flashing is to create a water-tight boundary between roof sections, between roofing materials and other parts of the house and between roofing materials and roof projections, problems with flashing often cause leaks. These leaks can damage the field of the roof as well as the interior of the house. Flashing problems usually happen because of either design or installation errors. Some flashing problems can also result from wind damage. Regular inspection of all types of flashing in all parts of the roof can catch problems early and correct them before there are major leaks.
Each of these major causes of North Carolina roof damage can be minimized by regular and careful inspection for early and minor problems. Immediate attention to any flaws or damages with competent repairs can help you avoid major damage to your roof and prevent the need for early and costly roof replacement.
Benefits of Roof Inspection
Whether you already own your Southport home or are looking into buying one, one task to consider for proper house care is a thorough inspection of the roof. The roof is what keeps the rest of the home secure and protected from the elements. Having a professional check the current state of a roof can help you save money and headaches, depending on your situation.
Why get your roof inspected? As a homeowner or potential buyer, it’s important to know everything you can about the place you live.
Prevention: Regular roof evaluation – it is recommended to have a professional examine your house top every two or three years – can help determine if minor problems and leaks stand to become major issues in the future. These checks can spot damage by weather or rodents or other elements and allow you plan for timely repairs that may not cost you as much now as a larger fix would have down the road.
Value: If ever you think of selling your North Carolina house, a buyer is going to want to know the condition of the roof. As it is the objective of the buyer to choose a home that doesn’t require extensive repair, should your roof require great attention it can make selling a challenge. Regular inspections can alert you to repairs necessary before you put your home on the market, and they can help evaluate the selling price.
Renovation: Say you wish to remodel your home and have an addition built. Even if you don’t plan to add a story to your house, a new room will require extension of your roof, and you want to be certain the structure matches your present one. Regular inspections can help you figure out what needs to be done to ensure the roof is even and strong.
Just a small payment for inspection can save you larger bills for repairs if you leave roof problems unnoticed and unattended.
Metal Roofing May Provide Valued Choice
Have you ever driven through the Southport, NC neighborhood and remarked how different and unique a particular metal roof looked? You probably thought a metal roof was way too expensive for your budget so you never even considered one for your North Carolina home. Lots of people believe the same way you do, not realizing that residential metal roofing prices is available at affordable costs. In fact, many experts will tell you that metal roof products are very good long-term investments.
Now a Good Looking Top
Since these roofs can be designed to look like other types, you will not be able to tell from on the ground that a simulated cedar-shake metal roof was not the real one. Lightweight steel roofs can be painted through a special process where real earth-tone granules are embedded in the final paint coat that then is covered with a high-protective clear coating.
Safety Sells
There are quite a few advantages using a this type of roof. For one, they do not burn! Aside from the obvious benefit from not being able to burn, a home topped by a metal roof may result in significant savings when it comes to insurance costs.
Energy Savings
During the summer, a metal roof causes less attic heat than traditional roofs while retaining a greater amount of warmth during the winter. This can be seen as a significant reduction or retention – as much as 34 percent in warm climates. The savings in air conditioning alone can warrant purchasing a metal roof.
Easy Installation
For homeowners thinking of making a switch to lightweight steel roofs, installation over old shingles is possible eliminating the need for any costly tear off. Metal roofing is manufactured in large sheets making it easy to install by experienced roofers.
Copper is Cool
Roofs made from copper not only provide all the benefits mentioned concerning steel roofs, but produce an aesthetically pleasing weathered green patina over time. The great drawback choosing copper is that it is very expensive and can price out as much as $1,100 per square.
Don’t Panic, Prepare Yourself For Roof Leaks and Water Damage
One of the worst things that Southport homeowners can do is panic during a emergency. If you have water leaking from your roof, and you’re not prepared, you could find yourself in a very difficult situation. Here are a couple of things that you can do to avoid water damage and prepare yourself for roof leaks.
One of the best ways to prepare your North Carolina home for water damage and roof leaks will be to have plenty of buckets, plastic and a large shop vac. If you live in an older home, that might be suffering from a damaged roof or you have already experienced roof leaks in the previous years, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up a few of these items from your local home improvement center.
There’s a good chance, that if it starts raining between the hours of 11 o’clock at night and six o’clock in the morning, you’re not going to have access to your local home improvement center, hardware stores or lumber yards. They’re going to be closed and your options are going to be limited.
If you don’t have enough money to repair your roof, you might not have enough money to purchase these items. If this is the case, you can usually pick up some extra 5 gallon buckets from a local painting contractor. Most painting companies have more five gallon empty paint buckets than they know what to do with and might be willing to part with a couple of them.
There are all sorts of different ways to gather these items without any money, you just need to be created. My main point in writing this article is to prepare yourself for roof leaks and potential water damage. I suggest that you read a few more articles on these topics, to prepare yourself for other types of home damage emergencies, also.