By checking your roof components, you can figure out if it’s time to replace your roof. When the shingles and other roofing components show signs of wearing out, you’ll know it’s time for a roof replacement.
Are you worried about the age or condition of your roof? You’ve come to the right place, so keep reading!
Most homeowners in Harford and Cecil County don’t often think about the roof over their heads until there’s a problem. In this post, our roofers at Tar Heel Construction Group LLC have put together a list of things to look for that may indicate you need a new roof.
Inspecting Your Roofing for Replacement
Even though you aren’t a roofer, you can still check out a few things about your roofing to see whether it needs replacement. Don’t hesitate to contact a roofing contractor for a more thorough inspection or to avoid the safety hazards of climbing a ladder.
Check the Shingles
Shingles are supposed to lay flat on the roof. If you find areas that are cracked, buckling, worn, or anything that doesn’t look uniform compared to the rest of the roof, then it may be a sign that a repair or new roof is in order.
If you climb a ladder to do this, it is an excellent opportunity to check the gutter system. If you find many granules in the gutters, that’s another indication that the roof has worn. The granules are the topcoat of the shingles, the first line of defense against weather.
Check the Flashing
Flashing protects the interior of the home from the weather. It is installed around things such as vents, skylights, and chimneys. They can be made from aluminum, rubber, and other materials that degrade over time.
If possible, look at these components. If a rubber “boot” is fragile and cracking, it must be replaced. It is also a great indicator of the roofing system’s overall effectiveness because they are often installed during the shingles. If the flashing has gone bad, then it may mean that the shingles have exceeded their efficacy.
Check Pitch
A drooping or sagging roof is a sign that the whole system needs to be replaced. If the roof is sagging, it most likely means that water has penetrated the shingles and has gotten into the wood underneath.
Often, contractors choose to lay a fresh installation of shingles on top of an existing layer. The problem with this, amongst other things, is they never check the underlayment, such as the plywood that is the support system for the roof.
Another way to check this is to go into the attic and see if there’s any mold or black spots on the plywood. This is a sure way to see if water has penetrated the shingle layer.
At Tar Heel Construction Group LLC, our experts for roof repair in Cecil County check for damage on the underlayment. It is a critical component that can be only addressed during installation because it is hidden from the eye otherwise.
Check for Plants/Moss
Often, plants find a way to grow on older roofs, especially the part of the house that is in the shade. When this happens, it usually means that moisture trapped between the shingle and underlayment causes all kinds of problems, such as drooping or sagging roofs.
There are a few ways to address this problem, but if the roof is older, it’s a sign that the system needs to be replaced.
Have a Complete Inspection by a Roofing Contractor
Tar Heel Construction Group LLC is committed to helping Harford County, Cecil County, and Baltimore County areas with roofing and exterior remodeling needs. If you have any questions about your roof, such as what it would take to get it updated or repaired, please reach out to us.
Call (410) 638-7021 Today for Your Free Inspection & Estimate!
