How Do You Know When Your Home Improvement Plans Should Include a New Roof?
Should your home improvement project include a new roof?
Making home improvement plans is an essential duty of being a homeowner. Your home’s roof protects the structure of your home, as well as everything and everyone inside it from the outside elements. An aging or deteriorating roof can be quite dangerous if it is left in disrepair for too long. If you have an aging roof or your roof has been recently damaged, you may need a home improvement contractor to inspect and potentially replace it.
Here are some ways to determine if a new roof should be your next home construction project.
Visually Inspect It
As a homeowner, you should periodically look at your roof so you can take note of any changes over time; however, this does not mean you have to climb a ladder It is inadvisable to go up on the roof because many serious injuries have occurred to well-meaning homeowners. It is possible to look at your roof while standing in the yard. If you do decide to get up on the roof, make sure your ladder is secure and you are extremely careful while walking around.
Common indications of a deteriorating roof include bent or torn flashing, algae or moss growth and damaged or missing shingles. You should particularly check to see if the flashing around chimneys and vents is damaged. That can mean there is water seepage, even if you haven’t noticed any water leaks in your home yet.
A new roof may be necessary as part of your home improvement project.
Next, look at your roof’s ridge and make sure it follows a straight line. Structural damage is likely if you notice the line has a saddle-back in the center or it sags.
Finally, look to see if any debris has accumulated because it can lead to water damage, especially if you have a flat roof. Getting a professional roof cleaning done on an annual basis can prevent water collection and damage due to debris. If you have neglected this task, it could lead to replacing the roof earlier than you expected.
Inspect Your Gutter System
If your gutter system is healthy, so is your roof. However, if your gutter leaks, is clogged or has poor drainage, this can cause problems with your home’s structure. A poor gutter system will spill water and saturate your landscaping, which can potentially lead to moisture accumulating inside your home and damaging the foundation. If you have a flat roof and it is leaking, the likely culprit is the scuppers, which are used for drainage.
When you inspect your gutter system, look for signs of damage or aging, such as granules or pieces of shingle washing out the downspouts. Check the shingles for water damage, as well as inspect for rot or mold along the roof’s edge or eaves. If too much water seeps under your shingles, it will rapidly deteriorate your roof. You should also look for scratches, dents or rust. If you notice any of those problems, it is likely your gutter needs to be repaired or replaced.
If you are looking for a home improvement contractor to work on your roof, contact us. Our experienced Massachusetts contractors can discuss many roofing options with you.
