Can My Home’s Shingled Roof Make It “One More Year?”

One of the areas of your home that absorbs the most wear and tear is your roof. This is especially true in the Twin Cities where sub zero temperatures in the winter are the norm and the summers are literally 100 degrees warmer. Snow, ice, wind, and UV rays are inevitably going to cause wear and tear on your roof. 

The tricky spot for homeowners is knowing when that fail date is going to come. It’s tempting to put off the roof replacement for ‘one more year’ to continue to add to your budget or to get some other projects done around the house. Unfortunately there will come a time when that procrastination ends up causing damage that is more costly than the original repair. 

• Signs of a Failing Roof 

Water coming inside your home is an obvious sign that your roof at least needs some repairs, if not a complete replacement. The difficult thing about waiting for water stains to show up on your interior ceiling is that by then insulation in the attic, wood framing, possibly wiring, and eventually drywall will all need to be replaced. 

It never hurts to continually monitor the condition of your home’s roof from the exterior. Signs that a roof is failing include first and foremost missing shingles. Large sections of shingles missing usually means they were never fastened properly in the first place. When you have missing patches of shingles, the remaining pieces are more vulnerable becoming almost like a sail in the wind. 

Shingles don’t need to be missing to be failing. When your shingles start to dry out after years of exposure to UV rays the edges will start to curl up. Eventually these shingles will start to crack and down the line pieces start breaking away making a leak probable. 

There is also shingle buckling to look for. When this occurs the fix isn’t necessarily on the roof but in the attic. Your attic needs proper ventilation either out through the roof or by slots in the soffit (preferably both). Your attic should also have proper insulation so that the roof temperature is regulated in both summer and winter compared to the inside of the home (and to improve overall energy efficiency). 

• So, Will My Roof Make It? 

Sometimes it’s actually in your best financial interest to replace the roof ASAP when it is nearing the end of it’s lifespan or when you notice initial warning signs. 

Sagging roofs should be replaced immediately as well as they are a sign of possible structural damage below. Algae growing on a roof can cause damage down the line but it is something that can be removed with a 50:50 chlorine bleach / water mixture. Granules piling up in the gutter is a concern, but is also part of the natural aging process of the materials. 

Ultimately the best approach to take is to contact Snap Construction for a free roof inspection and estimate. Even a leaky roof doesn’t necessarily mean the shingles are failing as it could be flashing, gutter apron, or caulking that is needed. Those are usually very quick and inexpensive repairs. 

Call us today for a free inspection! 612-333-SNAP (7627) contact@snapconstruction55431.dev8.sociusinc.com