Replacing your roof is an essential part of maintaining your home. A damaged or improperly maintained roof can cause thousands and dollars in damage to other parts of the home. Repairs only go so far, and eventually, it will be time to replace your roof entirely.

In general, this is the recommended roof replacement schedule based on the material used:

  • Composition Shingles: 12-20 years
  • Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years
  • Wood Shingles: 20-25 years
  • Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years
  • Metal Roofs: 50-75 years

For those living in a place with heavy snowfall or high humidity, this life expectancy may be relatively shorter. The ideal way to identify the integrity of your roofing structure is to hire a contractor who can conduct a thorough inspection. These professionals can spot any signs of aging right away.

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Apart from these suggested time frames, you might need to replace the roof of your home in Allen, TX, if you notice the following signs of damage:

 

Valleys

Valleys are sagging spots or small dips in wood, sheeting, and among the shingles. These are the result of deteriorated rafters, often due to heavy snowfall or high humidity, which causes the rafters to start to rot. Valleys can let rainfall come into your home, which can lead to damaging leaks. Look out for these tiny but serious nuances, which can also bring about possibly harmful mold growth.

 

Deteriorating Shingles

Have your roof’s shingles started to curl, buckle, tear apart, or fall off? This might not be something you will notice instantly as shingles in most houses are overlapping. However, if you see some granules in the gutters or the whole shingles have slipped off, this is a sure indication of a major problem. Just like the roof structure itself, shingles are components with definitive life expectancy. This life span can change from climate to climate and home to home. If you noticed any holes, it is high time that you hire someone who can check at the potential damage.

 

The condition of the interior walls

The condition of the interior walls that touch the roof can give many clues about what is going on up on top of the roof. If you notice a significant loss of paint and heavy moisture marks on your walls (and ceilings), then there could be some serious leaks originating on the roof.

 

Off-brand materials

For cost-cutting and lower bid, some contractors use off-brand materials for construction of houses. If you are aware that the builders or previous owners of the house did this, it might be best to call another contractor. Off-brand materials like sheeting or shingles are usually made from lesser quality materials, with some pieces of sheeting or shingles unsound and irregular. Such materials will never last long and could pose serious harm to you and your family in the near future.

 

Daylight in the attic

When you have a well-made house, there must be no daylight in the attic unless it comes through a window. Small shafts of light between boards might mean serious issues with roofing supports. Similar to valleys, this problem can occur if poor attic ventilation and excessive moisture cause the rafters to get moldy and start to rot.

 

Moss and algae

Moss does not just grow on north-facing trees. It can also form on roofs, especially those sections that do not get a lot of direct sunlight. Beyond its appearance, the real problem with moss is moisture. Moss clusters can freeze up in the winter, causing cracks in the shingles, allowing moisture to seep in. The same principle applies to algae growth on a roof. Instead of green patches with moss, look for dark streaks.

The decision to be taken when going for a roof replacement has to be a deliberate one. It will involve a careful selection amongst a multitude of factors. They shall include budget, time at hand, the requirement of alternative living space, weather conditions, etc. Once the time arrives, it is best to go in for the replacement without further delay as the delay might hurt the other parts of the house, besides you incurring more loss.

 

Exactly What Needs To Be Replaced?

When people talk about replacing a roof, they may simply mean that they need to replace the shingles or tiles that cover the roof, or it could mean having to replace the entire roof, including some of the rafters and replacing anything in between. The first thing you need to know about replacing a roof is exactly what needs to be replaced.

This means that you will have to do a thorough inspection and check everything, including shingles or tiles, flashings, tar paper or felt, sheathing, rafters, vents, and all seals. In some cases where people buy old fixer up homes, the entire roof will need replacing including the gutters, fascia, and soffit. You may also need to install additional vents as well.

 

Should You Hire A Professional?

One of the most important things you should know when replacing a roof is whether or not this is a job that you can do yourself or whether hiring a roofing contractor in Allen, TX, is a better idea. Many roofing contractors will give you a free estimate on replacing your roof, and it may be a good idea to get a couple of estimates before deciding to replace a roof yourself.

In many cases, by the time you add up the extra cost of tools, your time, and think about the safety issues involved, it ends up being safer and cheaper to hire a professional to do the job for you. Many roofing contractors will take care of all the legal aspects of the job, such as building permits and having their own insurance in case of an accident. Besides, they may be able to get the materials cheaper than you could on your own, and they already have the necessary tools. So they may actually be able to save you money when replacing that roof.

 

Conclusion

Whether you replace that roof yourself or hire someone else to do the work for you, being aware of what you need to know before replacing it will help you complete the project more safely and inexpensively, and with a lot less frustration.

 

Professional Roof Replacement In Allen, Texas

If you are interested in a roof inspection or if you feel it is time to have your roof replaced, contact Summit Roof Service Inc. at (972) 715-1655. We have been in the business of repairing and replacing roofs for over 25 years! To learn more about our company and general roofing, visit our website—https://summitroof.com—and visit our company blog. Visit also our social media for additional details.