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The Top 8 Signs You Need A New Roof

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The roof of your house is one of the most important structural parts of your home. Without it, there wouldn’t be protection from natural weather elements. Many homeowners don’t realize that it is quite normal for a roof to wear out over time and become susceptible to damage that requires repair or replacement. Therefore, as a Maryland homeowner, you need to be aware of the current state of your roof and determine whether you need a new one or not.

Replacing a roof can be quite expensive and that’s why after noticing the first signs of roof damage or leaking, you should hire an expert roofer to assess the problem. There are a few who might decide to inspect the situation on their own but without enough expertise from a qualified Maryland roofing contractor, you might miss out on the most important signs. Here are a few pointers on what signs to look for to determine whether you need a new roof.

Age Of The Current Roof

One of the first things you need to question should be the age of your current roof. Most Maryland residents have homes with shingles made of asphalt. Leading roofing manufacturers have identified that the lifecycle of a normal asphalt shingle roof would be approximately 25 years. Therefore, if you have had your current roof for more than that period of time, you need to start checking for signs of wear and tear that warrant immediate replacement. Another important point to consider is whether the previous roof was completely removed or the the previous installer laid shingles directly over the previous ones. In the latter case, your likelihood of needing a roof replacement is much greater.

Curled Or Buckled Shingles

If the shingles are curled or buckled, you definitely need a new roof. You can assess this by looking at the roof in direct sunlight. Curled shingles often have missing granules and if that’s the case, your roof definitely needs immediate replacement. These are also indicators that the current roof is very defective. If there are any other signs of wear and tear or poor ventilation, you definitely need to replace the roof. There are chances of getting reimbursed especially if you had taken out a warranty during installation. Therefore, you should check for your eligibility status by hiring a licensed contractor to do the inspection for you.

Missing Shingles

If the shingles are either missing or falling apart, it’s a sure sign that the roof is very defective. Therefore, you need to replace it immediately. Remember, rain or snow flows through the roof valleys into the gutters. On that note, if the valleys are not working as they should due to missing shingles, your house is susceptible to roof leaks. Also, you need to make sure that all the tabs in the roof are intact to avoid any disasters.

Loose Granules In The Gutter

If you’re suspecting that your roof is defective, you need to look through the gutters for loose granules. At the end of their lifecycle, asphalt shingle roofs have more loose granules which might affect the sturdiness of the roof. Clean your gutter regularly and sort through the dirt to look for loose granules. If that’s the case, you certainly need to repair your roof immediately.

Moss On The Shingles

Moss usually grows on most roof surfaces without direct sunlight especially during the cold weather. This can result in moisture being trapped in the surface of the roof and eventually damage the granules on the shingles, especially during winter. Many Maryland residents choose to brush off the moss but it eventually grows back. Therefore, if you notice excessive growth of moss on your shingles, which can’t be brushed off easily, it’s time to contact a professional roofer to replace your roof.

Stains On The Ceiling

If you notice stains on your ceiling, it’s a sign that your roof is leaking which could be caused by cracked or missing shingles. If any moisture falls through the roof into the ceiling, it’s likely to start staining and eventually rot your drywall. On that note, any stains on your ceiling should be immediately inspected.

Daylight Shining Through The Roof

If you notice any daylight streaks through the roof inside the house, it’s a definite sign of a roof defect. Detecting such issues during the warmer months could come in handy since you can fix the roof before it starts raining. If not detected in time, water might seep into the house resulting in water damage to the property.

Sagging

If you notice that some parts of the roof are sagging, it’s a definite sign of poor structural soundness. Chances are that the shingles are completely soaked with moisture or the roof deck was not installed properly in the first place. Hiring a professional roofing contractor for inspection is the right move in this case.

Be sure to be on the lookout for these signs of roof defects and replace your roof if needed before it’s too late.