Simpson
A roof will typically last you between 25 to 50 years or more, depending on how well you maintain it and the area you live in, as certain factors such as weather and the materials used play a critical role in its lifespan.
If you suspect your old roof needs replacing, contact a roofing contractor in Portland. If you aren’t sure about the condition of your roof, here are five signs that show if it’s time you need a new roof.
Daylight Coming Through The Roof Boards
The first sign that you should look for is if there are any areas where the sunlight shines through. Go to your attic in the morning and see if you can spot any beams of light.
If sunlight can get through your roof boards, it’s clear that rain and snow can also. Active leaks due to rain will increase deterioration, as will snow. Apart from this, you will have poor insulation, which will raise your heating bills. In this case, you need to partially or entirely replace your roof, depending on how bad the situation is. The most common reason this happens is due to wildlife, as small animals such as squirrels, raccoons, mice, or rats can damage your roof when they create their nests.
Sagging Roof
One of the most direct signs that indicate if your roof requires repair or replacement is if you notice that your ceiling is uneven and sagging in different places. This means that a leak might be present. Moisture can decrease a roof’s integrity and deform it.
If you can reach the sagging areas, they will feel soft and moist when you touch them, which indicates leakage. It is highly recommended that you contact a qualified roofing contractor right away because your roof could collapse entirely at some point in time. If you are lucky, the damage might be reversed by repairing the roof.
Visible Dark Streaks On the Ceiling
You don’t always have to go outside and scan your roof for damage. The most telling signs usually occur on the ceiling, as in the case of uneven and sagging areas mentioned above. However, there is another sign that you should look for, namely, dark streaks on the ceiling.
These dark streaks are usually caused by water damage inside the roof when moisture penetrates the roof and reaches the ceiling. Both your walls and the ceiling will then develop such stains. Call a professional to find out if a leaking roof is causing your ceiling or wall stains.
Decaying Shingles
If your shingles are easy to crack or break, it’s time to replace them. Shingles can rot and disintegrate due to moisture. Lichens can grow on them and dissolve the roof. This problem worsens if no action is taken, leading to roof malformation, insulation problems, and worse.
Aging Shingles
Aging shingles lose their granules over time. A tell-tale sign is blistering on your roof, which is due to pockets of moisture trapped inside the upper layer of the tile. This naturally happens to old roofs and is caused by being exposed to the weather for a long time. You will need to replace your roof in this case as well.
