Q: How do I know when it’s time to replace my roof?
A: There are several things you can look for to determine if your roof needs replaced:
– Cracked or curling shingles
– Missing shingles- Broken flashing
– Loose seams
– Large amounts of shingle granules in the gutter
– Shingle, sheathing or siding decay
– Leakage in the attic after heavy rains
– Water stains on interior walls or ceilings
Roof age: Roofing systems typically last around 20 years. If your roof is approaching this age, then it’s nearing the end of its useful life.
Roof Leaks: If you see evidence of water leaking inside to your home, then it probably has been leaking for quite sometime. Water can damage the roof sub structure, plywood sheathing, walls, ceiling and much more. Extensive structural damage can create a huge problem for homeowners. It’s often much cheaper and less involved to simply replace an aging roof before it starts to leak.
Q: Can a new roof be installed on top of my old roof?
A: Although it may be cheaper to install new shingles on top of the old ones, you could be setting yourself up for future costs. Unless your current roofing system is completely problem free and only features a single layer of functioning shingles, your new roofing system may fail sooner then expected.
Some roofing contractors are willing to simply nail new shingles on top of old shingles, but we advise stripping the old materials complete off, down to the deck, then install the new materials. Any defects, vulnerabilities, and potential problems in the plywood deck or truss system will be caught when the existing shingles have been stripped clean.
Q: Can I do the work myself?
A: Most roof work should not be done yourself. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace roof systems. You can damage your roof system by using improper roofing techniques and you could severely injure yourself by falling off or through the roof.
We suggest that home or building owners should be limited to inspecting roof systems during the spring and fall to look for cracked or curling shingles. Also, cleaning out gutters that are filled with dead leaves and other debris is recommended. If you must inspect your roof system yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder and off the roof.
Q: How long should a roof last?
A: Like most building components, roofs degrade at varing rates depending on a large number of factors: the quality of original construction, the level of abuse, the level of maintenance, appropriateness of design, etc. So how long should a roof last? We have seen poorly designed and installed roofs go as few as seven to ten years before they failed, and we have seen old asphalt roofs that were over 30 years old. Most roofing contractors and designers feel 20 to 25 years is an acceptable service life for today’s products.
Q: How long would a reroofing job take?
A: The amount of time it will take to complete your reroofing project depends on the size and complexity of your roof, the weather and season, the size of the crew, and unforeseen issues with the roofing system. A small, uncomplicated roof may only take a few days to complete whereas a large, complex roof structure that has multiple issues could take several weeks to finish. If you would like an estimate regarding your roof, give Josh Smalling Roofing and Restoration a call today.
Q: Can heavy snow damage my roof?
A: Yes, always keep heavy snow from vents and other critical drainage areas of your roof.Ice dams can occur when snow melts near the ridge-lines of warm roofs (roofs without adequate ventilation). As the water runs down the roof to the overhang, it cools and freezes. If the snow continues this melt and freeze process, an ice dam can form that can seep under the shingles, through the decking and into the house. This, of course, can cause serious roof leaks, even during freezing temperatures. The best prevention to ice dams is a well-ventilated roof.
If you have other questions or would like further explanations please contact us today. We look forward to working with you on your roofing project.
