Wondering when to replace your roof in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas?
K&M Roofing Services offers the highest quality service of roof replacement in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area.
Replacing an entire roof might sound daunting when considering all the factors involved – the effort it takes, the time it consumes, and most especially the financial setback that you will incur.
But the task of completely overhauling your roof is an inevitable predicament that every homeowner has to deal with sooner or later.
It’s always best to be prepared for what’s to come, and if you’re worried that your roof’s time is almost up, here are the major signs you need to watch out for to confirm it.
Replace Aging Roofs
Modern roofs are made to last a long time, but not forever.
All roofs will need replacing eventually, even if yours managed to survive every hailstorm and fallen tree over the years.
Your best bet at figuring out when to replace it will be to remember the exact year when your roof was first built or last replaced.
Cheaper roofing types like asphalt shingle roofing or composition 3-tab shingle roofing could last 15-20 years, while higher end variants like slate, clay or luxury composition shingles could last anywhere between 25-50 years.
It is ideal to schedule a replacement for your roof within the recommended threshold of your specific roof type so as to avoid unwanted complications, such as damage to the interior of your house.
Take note that there are many factors that can accelerate the aging of your roof, including severe local climate/weather, neglect, bad craftsmanship, improper placement and installation of roof equipment, or simply if people walk on your roof on a regular basis.
It might help to look around your neighborhood to see if any of the other houses have replaced their roofs recently.
Homes built around the same area and at around the same time could experience very similar types of weather conditions.
If a lot of your neighbors have begun changing roofs, it might be a sign that your roof is nearing its due date as well.
Indicators of an Aged Roof
Regular roof inspections will save you a lot of hassle when it comes to keeping track of your roof’s age.
Do annual check ups if you can, and take pictures in order to document and keep track of your roof’s yearly conditions.
This will be useful in the long run, not only for you to have before and after pictures to compare, but to have something to show your insurance company on the chance of any damaging incidents.
There are a number of visual indicators that you can look out for in order to tell that your roof might be nearing its life expectancy sooner than expected.
If you are made aware of one or more of these following issues, then consider calling a professional roofing contractor immediately.
Finding a lot of damaged shingles in more than one spot on your roof is the most obvious visual sign that your roof needs replacement.
Look for shingles with cracks, warps, and curled edges. There could also be bald spots on the shingles where granules are missing.
Sometimes, the odd shingle could get worn down or broken due to some random occurrence like a falling branch or pooled water in a localized spot.
This can be managed with a simple repair.
But if you find damages like these on more than half of your roof’s total surface area, it might be time to schedule that overhaul.
Dark streaks or any kind of discoloration on your roof deck may be a sign of moss, molds, fungi or airborne algae that has accumulated and hardened over time.
The longer it persists the more troublesome it becomes.
Moss and algae grow in areas that are not exposed to sunlight, especially in the cold and damp undersides of shingles where it could absorb moisture.
When left undetected over a long period of time, the moss can expand and dislodge your shingles.
It’s possible to manually scrub off the algae/moss yourself or to hire professional help, but it won’t necessarily stop it from growing back again.
Installing anti-algae zinc or copper strips is also possible as a temporary solution.
In severe cases, you might notice your roof has begun to sag or droop due to a rotting foundation caused by the moisture.
If the overgrowth and damage is too much, and if your roof is past its prime anyway, it might be easier to just replace the roof entirely.
It is recommended that you get a professional roofer to assess for this.
Recurring leaks are a sure sign of an aged roof.
A leak in your interior could mean there is one hole in the roof, but it could also mean there are several.
Even a single leak in your ceiling might actually be serving as an exit wound or drainage for many different entryways that rainwater seeps in through from above.
Water could be coming in from multiple loose shingles, rusted or damaged flashings around vents, skylights and chimneys, or even from broken seals around roof equipment and other attachments.
You can comb through your entire roof using a hose to find as many holes as you can find.
Check especially around areas that have flashings, and shingles that look old or dislodged.
But if you’ve already plugged up many different holes on the exterior and your ceiling continues to leak, that might be a sign that your roof is beyond band-aid repairs and needs a full replacement.
Weather damage can dramatically accelerate the age of your roof.
If you live in a stormy/windy area, or just recently experienced a severe storm with high winds and heavy downpours, consider doing an inspection of your roof.
Small damages could go unnoticed and become a nightmare in the near future if not mitigated soon.
The most common culprits of roof damage during a storm are errant pieces of debris such as rocks or branches that have either slammed into your roof, or have piled up and caused water to accumulate in unexpected areas like gutters and hidden corners.
Water pools on your roof will cause discoloration and allow moss and mold to thrive, and could cause shingles to warp and peel.
Debris can also cause damage to roof equipment like HVAC systems, satellite dishes, solar panels and gutters.
Make sure to check the bolts and fittings that attach these things to your roof, as this is where they are most commonly damaged during storms.
What to do when your roof needs to replacing?
Don’t wait for your roof to collapse! A roof past its prime is a recipe for disaster.
Replace it before it becomes a major headache that causes more costly damages to the rest of your home. Replacing an entire roof requires precision and experience to do properly.
We recommend that you contact a professional roofing company and inquire of their services.
A good roofing contractor will be able to quickly assess the current condition of your roof and calculate the deductibles on your insurance for you.
When getting your roof insured after the installation, make sure you understand the difference between ACV (Actual Cash Value) and RCV (Replacement Cash Value).
ACV insurances will deduct depreciation value from your total coverage, so a very old roof might net you a much smaller compensation than what you initially invested.
RCV is a more expensive option, but offers a far better return as it only takes into account the value of your roof when it was brand new.
Summary
- Replacing your roof is an unavoidable part of owning a house long-term. There are many signs that you can watch out for to tell when your roof needs to be replaced.
- Be aware of your roof’s age and recommended life expectancy.
- Watch out for cracked, warped or dislodged shingles. If more than half of your roof looks old and damaged, it’s time to replace it.
- Dark streaks / spots are an indication of moss or algae that absorbs moisture and causes rot. This can cause shingles to unbuckle at best, and severe structural damage at worst. If this problem seems to have grown out of hand beyond manual cleaning, then replace your roof.
- Multiple recurring leaks in your interior means your roof is probably full of holes too numerous for you to repair.
- Severe weather combined with neglect can cause your roof to wear out drastically, shortening its lifespan.
- A full roof replacement requires professional services. Contact a proven and capable roofing contractor to conduct the replacement and to assess your insurance coverage and deductibles.
Roof Replacement in Dallas and Fort-Worth Texas
K&M Roofing Services offers the highest quality service of roof replacement in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area.
We are a locally owned business and are an A+ rated company at the Better Business Bureau.
We provide the highest quality composition roof shingles, expert knowledge on roofing installation and repair.
We offer free and honest inspection of your roofing conditions beforehand, and we offer consultation on all matters concerning roofing – roofing insurance, replacement options, repair and maintenance, rooftop device installations, and more.
Visit us at https://kmservicepro.com/ to get your free inspection today.
