Having a functioning, non-leaking roof over your head is a pretty important aspect of homeownership, particularly in wet climate areas like that of Bellevue. However, you don’t want to wait until the water starts pouring into your house before you consider calling a Bellevue roofer to inspect your roof. Waiting too long for roof replacement can mean additional damage to both roof and the structure of your home. At Roof Pros NW, we want to help you to recognize roof warning signs before they become catastrophic. Here are 8 roofing considerations to look out for:
1. Your Roof’s Milestone Birthday
According to the experts at the National Association of Home Inspectors, the average asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of about 20-30 years. This means you should be calling a local roofing contractor right away if your current roof has already been in place for 40 years! Even if you haven’t noticed any issues, once your roof has its 25th birthday, you are going to want to start planning for a roof replacement. It can be easy to lose track of how old your current roof is, but if you notice all your neighbors getting a roof replacement, it is safe to say yours is coming up soon as well.
2. Your Shingles are Cracking
As part of your home maintenance tasks, you should be inspecting your roof on a regular basis. It is important to get a good look at your roof’s shingles every so often to ensure they are in good repair. If you start to notice that there are cracked shingles on your roof, you may have sustained wind damage. If the cracking shingles are all isolated in one spot, you may be able to simply switch those shingles out for new ones. However, if it is a widespread problem, you may want to consider a roof replacement. Our Bellevue and Redmond roofing contractors will generally recommend waiting no more than three to five years after the shingles begin randomly cracking.
3. Your Shingles are Curling
Another issue with your shingles that you may notice when doing your roof inspection is curling. Whether your shingles are curling around the edges and turning upwards or curling so that the middle raises, it is a sign of weathering. Curling can lead to roof leaks in a fairly short amount of time. So, most roof replacement professionals will recommend waiting no longer than a year after noticing a widespread curling, and five years if in the early stages.
4. Your Shingles are Missing
Wind and other inclement weather phenomenon can lead to shingles disappearing from your roof. While it is important that they are replaced right away, it can be done on an individual basis. However, it is important to note that while you may be able to get a similarly colored shingle, you will rarely get an exact match. These mismatched shingles aren’t very noticeable when there is just one or two scattered across your entire roof. If you start replacing them in larger numbers, however, your roof begins to resemble a checkerboard and it is suggested to opt for roof replacement. Seattle and Bellevue homeowners don’t want their homes to garner attention due to a freckled roof.
5. Your Shingles are Looking Green
Having a roof that is covered in moss and algae isn’t actually a structural problem. It is more of a cosmetic issue, but many homeowners opt for roof replacement regardless. It can become a real issue if you attempt to pressure wash the green away, however, because the pressure washing takes off the granules on the shingles. Without the granules, your shingles are basically useless. If you choose to call a roofing contractor for a fix, have them install the algae-resistant shingles to avoid a similar problem in the future.
6. Your Shingles are Shedding
The only time it is okay to see the granules from your shingles in your gutters after rain, is when the roof is brand new. Immediately after your roof is installed, there will be quite a bit of excess granules making their way to your gutters. However, if your roof isn’t brand new, the sign of granules in the gutters can mean your roof is starting to age. Roofing experts estimate a roof is halfway through its lifespan when it starts shedding granules. This is a good time to start saving so that it won’t be such a financial burden when it comes time to do your roof replacement.
7. You Can See the Sun
This sign may be fairly obvious, but if you are in the attic and you can see sunlight peeking through your shingles, you are in desperate need of repairs or an entire roof replacement. If you can see sunlight coming in, then it also means rain, snow, cold air, and insects are getting in as well. If the area is small, the roofing contractor may be able to patch it, but if it is a widespread problem, you are looking at full roof replacement.
8. Your Roof is Sagging
If you notice that your roof is sagging, it is time to call the roofing contractor ASAP. This is a serious problem that could be indicative of a structural issue. You may have a problem in your attic decking or your foundation supports, and it is important that you call in the experts right away. These are the kinds of issues that keep racking up the repair costs when they are allowed to fester. You aren’t in imminent danger of the roof crashing down on your head, but you should definitely proceed with a sense of urgency.
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Bellevue and Redmond Homeowners Trust Roof Pros NW!
The experts at Roof Pros NW pride themselves on offering an honest and accurate inspection and delivering a true estimate. You can also expect service to be timely no matter your roof shape or type. If you notice any of the issues listed above, do not hesitate to give us a call!
Roof Pros NW can serve homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and other select Eastside areas.
Give us a call at 206-319-7096 or use our contact form.
You will be in good hands with Roof Pros NW!