Warning Signs That You Should Consider Roof Replacement in Traverse City, MI
There are many different materials that can be used to build residential and commercial roofs, including wood shake, asphalt and metal. The good news is that many roofs can last a long time—15 to 30 years on average, and up to 50 or 100 years for some materials—when properly installed and maintained. The bad news? Your roof will have to be replaced at some point. Some signs of problems are obvious—like bowing in the attic ceiling or finding roofing shingles on the ground—while others are not. Below are a few warning signs that you might need a roof replacement in Traverse City, MI.
Your roof is old
The average asphalt shingle roof lasts 15 to 20 years, while tile or metal roofs tend to last a lot longer. Of course, how long any roof can last depends on factors like climate, care and maintenance and the quality of installation. The best thing to do is find out when the roof was installed and weigh that time against its typical replacement age. If your roof is old and has been repaired a number of times or has a roof overlay, you should definitely consider investing in roof replacement.
Curling or missing shingles
Your roof is a protective layer for your house or commercial building. It is always exposed to the elements, which causes roofing components to wear down over time. As the years go on and the elements take their toll, the shingles on your roof can start to break, fall off, buckle or curl to the point they need replacing. Another sign that your roof needs attention is finding granules from your shingles spilling out of downspouts. Too many shingles lacking granules makes your home more vulnerable to the elements.
Ice damming
If you see ice dams—ridges of ice forming at the edge of your roof—you might have roof ventilation issues. Improper roof ventilation lets the heat from the attic melt the snow on you roof. The snow melt then runs off the edge of your roof or into the gutters, where the cold air is quick to freeze it again. The next round of snow to melt will run down into the same areas and freeze, causing ice dams. Ice dams put added pressure on your roofing materials, which can lead to materials pulling apart from each other and water seeping into the inner layer of the roof.
Broken or damaged flashing
The flashing helps keep moisture out of roofing system joints—these components are found around rooftop fixtures like chimneys, vents and HVAC units. Flashing material varies depending on the quality and age of the roof, but is typically made of either roof tar, cement or metal. Regardless of material type, damaged, missing or degraded flashing means your roof is at risk of interior and exterior water damage. Hire a professional roofing contractor for an assessment and possible repairs if you are not sure of the condition of the flashing.
When the time comes for a roof replacement in Traverse City, MI, don’t hesitate to contact Qualified Roofing. Ask about the specials we’re running in May for flexibly-scheduled roofing projects!
Categorised in: Roof Replacement