Your roof, just like every other component of your home, has a lifespan. Most roofs are built to last between 20 and 30 years, with variation based on the kinds of weather it’s exposed to and the types of materials used. Heavy wind, hail and other extreme weather can deteriorate your roof quickly – but in many cases, making timely repairs can extend its life.
Sometimes, though, a roof is beyond a repair and replacement is necessary. Here’s how to tell if yours needs complete replacement.
3 Signs It’s Time for a Roof Replacement
While there are many signs that indicate you may need roof repairs – or at least that you should call the professionals for a free roof inspection – there are three big red flags to watch for that can indicate you need a whole new roof:
- Moisture or mold in your attic
- Visible leaks
- Excessively high energy bills
1. Moisture or Mold in Your Attic
Your attic, which should be the same temperature inside as it is outdoors, needs to have plenty of ventilation – but that ventilation should never allow moisture inside. Moisture in your attic is a big red flag that says your roof isn’t protecting your home like it should.
Warm, moist air from inside your home rises. It’s supposed to go out through roof vents, but when it’s trapped inside, condensation can develop under your roof. That leads to rusty nails, which are a problem on their own – but even worse, it can lead to mold growth (a serious health hazard) and rotten wood. If the wood rots, there’s no way around it: you need a residential roof replacement.
2. Visible Leaks
If you can see daylight coming through your roof when you’re in the attic, or if water is making its way in, repairs can help – but in severe cases, roof replacement may need to be your next investment. When your roof allows light and water in, the nails have either fallen through or the weatherproofing materials beneath the shingles have failed. Water damage is serious (and costly), too, so the sooner you have a professional evaluate your roof, the better.
Continue reading to find out what to do if your roof is leaking.
3. Excessively High Energy Bills
Energy costs are high right now, but if yours are higher than usual, it may be a good indicator that your roof is failing. Energy can escape due to poor ventilation or insulation in your attic – and if it’s going through your roof, the roof isn’t doing its job properly. Excessively high energy bills aren’t a stand-alone sign that you need a new roof, but if you’re seeing bigger bills than ever each month coupled with the signs listed here, it’s time to call the experts for an inspection.
Roof Replacement Without Major Issues
Sometimes you won’t even notice major issues like leaks or high energy bills, but it’s still time to replace your roof. It’s always better to replace your roof before it causes extensive damage in your home. If you notice your neighbors starting to replace theirs or if you know yours is reaching the end of its lifespan, it might be time for you to find a Dallas roofing company you can trust.
What to Do if Your Roof is Leaking
Your roof can leak at any time of year – it doesn’t have to be during our rainiest months or even during especially strong storms. Sometimes even small showers that pop up out of the blue can lead to serious roof leaks… and if that’s happened to you, check out this advice from New View’s Dallas roofing experts.
If you discover a roof leak (hopefully sooner than later), there are three things you can do to help minimize damage while you find a roofing contractor to come repair it:
- Contain the leak
- Cover your belongings and maintain the situation
- Remove the water
As soon as you can, call us to get emergency roof repair. We’ll send someone to your home as quickly as we can to zero in on the leak and seal it off so you can avoid further damage.
#1: Contain the Leak
If you can identify where the water is coming in, grab a bucket, a trash can or even pots and pans to catch the water that’s dripping down. While this won’t protect your ceiling, it will prevent water from pooling or leaking down another level in your home.
Pro Tip: Get into your attic and see if you can locate the source of the leak there. Catching water before it gets into your insulation can dramatically reduce the damage it does. Don’t climb on your roof if it’s raining, though – that can be incredibly dangerous, and you can’t fix a roof leak from the emergency room.
#2: Cover Your Belongings
Move what you can and cover the rest. The longer the roof leaks, the more endangered your belongings are. If you have boxes, clothing or small pieces of furniture, get them to a dry location immediately. If there are things you can’t move on your own, cover them with a tarp and place buckets, pots and pans or other containers under the drips. You’ll have to keep an eye on them so they don’t overflow.
Pro Tip: If you’re catching water in a bucket, it’s going to splash – and the “drip-drip-drip” sound is going to get really old, really fast. Place a small board or another item in the container that’s catching the water so the drops hit it rather than the water’s surface; that will minimize splashing and help lessen the sound.
#3: Remove the Water
If water is causing bulges in your ceiling, puncture a hole in the center of the bulge. You’ll have a gush of water, so make sure the floor is covered and you’re not standing directly below the puncture. This is essential to prevent further damage because it provides the water a low-resistance path – and it reduces the amount of stress on the rest of your ceiling. Accumulated water can cause your entire ceiling to collapse.
Do You Need to Talk to a DFW Roofing Expert About a Leak or Roof Replacement?
Don’t leave a water leak untreated – they never fix themselves. If your roof is leaking, we can find the source of the water incursion and repair the area so that no more moisture gets in. We’ll also repair any damage that the leak did to your roofing materials. If the leak has gone beyond repair, we’ll let you know and quote you on a complete roof replacement. Call us right away at 469-535-9239 so we can help you minimize the damage a roof leak can cause.
