Wondering if it’s time for a new roof? While perhaps not on your list of New Year’s resolutions, it’s a good question to ask. And today, GreenPoint Roofing in Longmont offers our tips to help you determine the condition of your roof. With some basic knowledge about roofs, roof repair, and roof replacement, you can more easily decide what is best for you, your family and your home this year.

We all need a roof over our heads. GreenPoint can help to determine just how solid your roof is and give an estimation of its lifespan. Keeping your roof in good shape will increase your home’s resale value if you choose to sell at any point. Take a look at this overview to determine if it is time for a new roof.

Early Detection

With regular roof inspections, you will be ahead of the game if there is an issue with your roof. Finding and addressing a roof problem early can make a huge difference between paying much less and paying so much more than you ever imagined. It breaks down like this:

• Minor repairs
• Major repairs
• Replace the entire roof
• Repair or replace the structure below

Visual Inspection of Interior and Exterior

National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends doing a roof inspection twice annually. This allows issues to be found early which is always better. The sooner an issue is found, the sooner it can be resolved. The smaller the problem, the easier it is to fix. You get the picture. As time goes by, a small issue could easily snowball into a complete replacement of your roof.

To stay ahead of the game, inspecting in the fall and spring make the most sense. If problems are found or it’s time for a new roof, a spring repair will be better than a summer one, but if it drags out, you will still have good weather to enjoy. A fall repair job is much better than finding out in the winter when temperatures drop.

So, grab a flashlight and head upstairs to take a look at the interior of the roof. If anything appears off, do not brush it aside. Make a note of it to discuss with your roof inspector immediately.

Interior Inspection

During a roof inspection, your or your roofing professional should look for any signs of:

• Sagging
• Leaking
• Water damage
• Dark spots or discoloration
• Light shining through from outside

Exterior Inspection

A roofing inspection also includes looking for any signs of moisture penetration:

• Mold
• Mildew
• Algae
• Rot
• Curling
• Blistering
• Buckling

Be aware that water travels to the lowest point then drips. So, the point at which you find the damage could start from a hidden location on the inside of the roofing or shingles.

Shingles

Look for any signs of:

• Torn, cracked, bald or missing shingles
• Shingle granules appear like sand

Damaged Flashing

Loose material of any sort especially around the chimney, pipes, vents, etc.

Roofline

Check the following:

• Drainage systems are functioning properly
• Angled to allow water to escape
• Gutters and downspouts securely attached
• Free of any debris including animal nests

Vents

Check to see that vents have an outlet completely outside of the home, not just into the attic. This includes the dryer, bathroom, and kitchen vents.

Roofing Materials

Depending on where you live, different roofing materials will work better than others. Your roof is obviously working to a point, but if you find any issues upon inspection, you know that each material will have its downfalls. For this, be sure to consult with a professional roofing service to get the best advice for your area and your particular roof.

For instance, tile is a very popular look and can be a great option, even lasting up to 100 years. But checking on the tiles can be a tricky business. Do not walk on the tiles to check the roof, as they can easily break. Bring in a professional to look for missing or broken tiles, as well as replace them.

When a cedar roof is in need of repairs or replacement, signs of deterioration include splitting and disintegration of the cedar tiles. A cedar roof typically lasts about 20 years. Roofing with wooden shakes often suffers from wood-boring pest damage including carpenter ants and termites. Concrete, on the other hand, is a long-lasting roofing option with little need for replacement.

New Roofs

If you notice visible signs of damage on your roof but your roof was adequately installed within 15-20 years ago, it may not be time for a new roof. A simple repair may be an effective enough strategy to take, as opposed to opting for an entirely new roof replacement. A trusted and licensed contractor will be the professional to ask which route is honestly the best to take.

New Roof Materials

When it’s time for a new roof, you’ll want to choose your material thoughtfully. Wood and asphalt shingles are not ideal for dry climates as they are not very fire-resistant. For this, metal, tile, and slate are much better options if your budget will allow. Snowfall is another significant factor. If your area receives heavy snowfall, then perhaps installing a standing-seam metal roof is a good option. Its durability yet lightweight construction is a good option is snow-ridden areas, as they send the snow sliding down before it can start melting and posing a potential problem with leaks.

With tile or slate roof construction, you must have your roof contractor determine if your structure is strong enough to support those types of materials as they are extremely heavy. And remember, the price cannot always be the only determining factor when it comes to choosing a new roof material. Safety and feasibility requirements must be met first.

If it is time for a new roof, do not try to replace the roof yourself. Professionals have the tools and skills to do it right without harming anyone or anything. Having a roof over our heads is something we all require, so keep yours in good shape with help from GreenPoint Roofing this year. We offer roof inspection services and all roofing repair and replacement services. Let us know how we can help this New Year so you can enjoy it, stress-free.