Floridians are no strangers to extreme weather conditions. Whether it be the stifling heat and humidity during the summer months or the violent wind and rain delivered at hurricane season, the sunshine state, despite its beauty and comfortability in the winter, has a way of testing its residents’ resolve.
In addition, these extreme conditions can put homes to the test, and as your home’s first line of defense from the forces of nature, the roof may take the brunt of the punishment. If your roof is getting older and/or has weathered multiple hurricanes or tropical storms, it may be time to consider a replacement.
The following list takes a look at some of the signs you can look for to determine if it is time to invest in a new roof.
Leaks That Are Visible Indoors
Roofs and framing materials are intended to keep air, moisture, and debris outside the home, so any time you notice water dripping into your living spaces, there is no time to wait around: get the roof replaced. Neglecting to replace the roof once a leak has established itself is a surefire way to allow other expensive issues to manifest themselves.
While it should be common sense to assume that the roof will protect against leaks, the reality is that many popular materials do not work as well, or for as long, as expected. In much the same way that traditional framing materials, such as structural panels, break down in the face of excessive hurricane moisture, common roofing materials such as asphalt shingles degrade quickly in extreme weather, opening the door for leaks to take hold.
Raised Shingles
Quality roofing should be flush, tight, and consistently adhered to the top of your home. Any time you notice any shingles that are raised or projecting noticeably from others nearby, it could be time to consider a roof replacement.
Not only do raised shingles present the opportunity for moisture to introduce itself and rot the underlying roof base, leading to leaks, but without quality roof insulation, these raised shingles can lead to increased HVAC costs, making a new roof a worthwhile investment from a dollars and cents perspective.
Roofing Materials Are Found in the Gutters
If you examine your gutters and there are significant amounts of asphalt granules or wooden chips present, then your old roof could be nearing the end of its useful life. As these are the elements that give your roof its weather-resisting properties, an abundance getting washed away could signal that there is not enough remaining for your roof to perform as intended.
Blisters, Cracks, or Impact Spots
While these three terms have subtly different definitions, all refer to a situation in which the roofing has failed, leaving a direct opening to the base of the roof. Any or all of these conditions commonly pop up following a hurricane, and more than a few isolated occurrences indicate that you are in need of a new roof.
When looking into replacement materials, consider synthetic roofing shingles, as synthetic options do not degrade in the face of harsh weather as do traditional asphalt shingles or wood shakes. Furthermore, synthetic materials come in a variety of customizable designs, making them an ideal choice to pair with rustic siding options made of fiber cement to give your home elite curb appeal while offering unmatched durability.
Discoloration or Faded Patches
Sometimes, it is tough to check the condition of the roof without climbing a ladder and giving it a close inspection. However, the color should be easy to check from a number of vantage points. If there are any noticeable faded or oddly colored patches, it is likely that a new roof is in order.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
