How do you know when it is time to replace a roof rather than repair a roof?
The Nation Roof Certification & Inspection Association reports that roofing problems are the most common issue reported by home inspection association and over 30% of real estate inspection claims are due to water penetration from leaky roofs. A properly cared for roof is essential to the overall health of your home, but when do you know if the timing is right to replace? There are a few things that you can do to prolong the life of your existing roof or identify that it is indeed time to take the plunge.
With an average replacement cost of more than $20,000, homeowners would love to make the roof that is on their house, stay on their house for as long as possible. Did you know that 39% of homeowners insurance claims are due to roof problems? These stats are scary but you can prevent a lot of added expenses and heartache by simply maintaining your roof with a few simple actions.
Asses Your Roofs Health
Make sure to asses the health of your roof seasonally, especially in the spring. We get a good bit of snow in Hanover & York so make sure that once the ice and snow melts away that there are no damage to your gutters or shingles. If you find any damage the best move (unless you are a roofer yourself) is to contact a York or Hanover PA roofing contractor to asses the severity of the damage and perform the repair or,if needed, replacement.
Clean Your Roof Of Debris
Every couple of months make sure to clean your roof. As things like leaves or pine needles buildup on your roof they begin to decompose which starts the process of fungus and algae growth. This can destroy the integrity of your shingles and lead to much larger problems. Problem with roof cleaning is that it can be dangerous. If you have the choice, and the funds, it is advised to have a professional roofing contractor complete the task. While they are there they will also be able to advise you of any additional issues that might exist.
Check Your Drainage System
Making sure the water that hits your roof is draining properly is very important. Your roofs drainage system routes water away from your home and prevents costly water damage. Our other division, ASJ Emergency Restoration, gets a LOT of calls for water damage restoration from faulty drainage systems. Thing is, you have to make sure that you have much more than clean gutters and unclogged downspouts. Your roofing corrugation plays a big part in routing the water to the gutter system. If you have damaged shingles it will not route the water properly and can cause devastating effects!
If you have performed proper maintenance a roof can last a long time but some tell tale signs that your roof needs replacement are
- Loose or missing nails
- Loose or missing shingles
- Loose or missing flashing
- Cracks or gaps
- Missing or old calking
There are a bunch of other signs but the best thing to do is contact your local Roofing Contractor in Hanover or York, PA. At ASJ we offer complimentary roof inspections to determine the severity of any damage to your roof. We provide roof cleaning as well and will advise of any roof repairs that need to be taken care of.
ASJ Emergency Restoration & Cleaning