Essential questions that homeowners should ask about their roof

Repairing or replacing a roof might be a stressful experience for many homeowners! Right from selecting an able and expert contractor to managing the entire process and choosing shingles and mental roofing and averting pitfalls, it's a challenging task. Hence, it's not a surprise why most homeowners keep this project for later as much as they can. 

Your roof is an essential part of your house. And when you invest in it, you ensure that your home is secured and protected. Your roof must get replaced and repaired from time to time. And it is not a good idea to keep this task pending. Here are few homeowner questions about roofs that you need to consider in the process. 

1.How old is the roof?

The average lifespan for any asphalt roofing system is anything between 20 and 25 years. However, if a roofing contractor had installed a new material in the current roof, you might opt-in for a roof replacement sometime sooner. This practice gets called "overlaying" and acts as a short-cut or quick fix for a few contractors. However, it indicates that there are some serious issues beneath the shingles. 

2.Are the shingles damaged?

Most homeowners want their roofs to look good, but the truth is their roofs have been better days. Can you see missing or curling shingles on the top? If yes, then it is a red flag that you might require roofing replacement or repair. It is necessary to check if there is any build-up of the shingle granules in the gutters. Both these signs indicate that roof decay issues might make your house vulnerable to harsh elements. 

3.Is there a missing or damaged flashing?

The flashing system on the roof is highly essential for preventing water infiltration. If you come across any damaged, broken, or missing flashing, it is a warning sign that there might be water damage soon. 

4.Is there any ice-damming?

It's a smart idea during the winter months to keep a check for the ice damming issues. If the roof doesn't get adequately ventilated, then the heat from your attic can melt the snow right atop the roof. And as the melted snow moves towards the roofing system edge, the cold air results in it to get freeze and cause an ice-dam. When the process keeps on repeating, it can add added pressure to the roof edges. It might start pulling the roofing materials apart and enable the water to seep inside your house. 

5.Is there any sign of water damage?

There are a few roofing conditions where water damage occurs! In few other roofing systems, you might take time to locate a sign of water damage. If you find any brown spots on the walls and ceiling, you need to take that as a first clue. You should also check your attic to see whether the insulation gets soggy in any place. And if you can detect light coming through the roof, it’s another sign of water damage. 

As a matter of fact, these are a few questions that homeowners need to ask and get clear about their roof when they opt for a roofing service. It will help them to gain clarity and choose the correct service for their roofs.