When should I replace a roof in Fayetteville?
You should replace your roof when it no longer does the job it was designed for. That answer may seem very blunt and in fact there are many different aspects that go into a roof and knowing when it needs to be replaced. The lifetime of a roof depends on the type of roping material that you have installed on the home. Metal roofing materials usually last for many years, If you have a metal roof for example that is 20 years old you shouldn't have to replace it for around another 60 years. However if you have a basic 20 year asphalt shingle roof and it's been 18 years it may be time to contact a roofer in Fayetteville such as ourselves. One of the most straightforward answers is to replace the roof when it looks worn, begins to break apart or shows any potential signs of leaking. Discolored shingles, broken shingles and missing shingles are all clear signs that the roof could use a little love.
The majority of homes in North Carolina use asphalt shingles or composite shingles, this means that the typical lifespan for the roof will range from 25-30 years. This lifespan comes from the manufacturer and is based on proper maintenance and installation from a professional roofing service. If for example you install the shingles yourself but do it incorrectly the roof may only last 18 years instead of 25-30 . In order to understand when you should replace your roof you first need to know what kind of materials you have that have been protecting you from the elements. Is your roof made of composite shingles, asphalt shingles, shakers (wood planks), metal? Each material has a different lifespan and different signs that they need to be replaced. Here are some common signs that may indicate your roof needs to be replaced and installed with a new one
Missing or broken shingles
If you have noticed broken shingles in the yard, gutter or driveway this is a sign that the shingles have begun to break down and come apart. When the granules that hold the asphalt shingles break down it makes the shingle itself brittle and prone to wind damages and cracking. If there are squares missing from the roof or any bald spots this is a common sign that your roof has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Missing shingles on a newer roof could have been caused by a storm or section of nails that didn't get a good hold of the OSB boards and underlayment. In this case all you would need is a roofing repair. When asphalt shingles become brittle they break off in small pieces during rain storms and wind storms, while asphalt shingles last many years eventually they fall apart.
Light entering the attic from the roof
If you go up into the attic during the daytime and notice small beams of light coming from the roof this is a big problem. If light can find its way into the attic then water can too, leaving the attic and insulation prone to water damages during the next storm. Usually these beams of light will be smaller and the size of a pencil or smaller in diameter. If you can see these pin holes of light it signifies that the shingles have worn down in that spot as well as the underlayment and plywood leaving the attic with no protection. If you can see multiple rays of light in the attic around the entire roof then it is for sure time to replace your roof.
Inspect the roof for bows, dips or valleys
Roofs are designed with draining purposes in mind, they are supposed to allow water the ability to drain from the shingles, down the gutters and into the yard or flowerbed. After many years that a roof becomes old and worn there will be sections of the roof called “valleys” these areas become prone to water build up. Water in these sections can sit on top of the roof for days until the sun dries it up, breaking down the materials much faster than expected. A leaky roof is often caused by a valley in the roof or build up of water in certain flat spots. As water sits in the valley over time it works its way through the shingles and into the plywood. If you can visibly see dips or valleys in the roof then it is a good idea to call our Fayetteville roofing company to get an inspection and roof replacement if needed.
Worn sealants and flashing
You may have never heard of the term “flashing” before. Simply put the word flashing is the water tight seal (commonly made of thin metal) around things such as exhaust vents, chimneys and skylights. Many times roof leaks can happen If this flashing gets damaged or has worn out overtime. Faulty or damaged flashing allows water to get under the shingles and begin causing problems without you even knowing. If you are concerned about potential leaks be sure to check the flashing around all ventilation pipes, swamp coolers and vents. If you don't feel comfortable going onto the roof and doing an inspection our professionals are more than ready to help. Our local roofing company in Fayetteville has helped provide roof inspections for many families and businesses. Call us today to get your roof inspection and an estimate if a roof replacement is advised.
Curled or bald shingles
The final sign that your roof may need to be replaced is when the shingles begin to curl, lose their granules and become stained/discolored. The majority of asphalt shingles are constructed by using a thin layer of asphalt to secure tiny rock-like materials to the shingle. After years of rain, hail, wind and constant sunlight the asphalt begins to lose the tiny rocks (Called granules). This is why some of the shingles on the roof may appear to be “shiny” or bald. When shingles begin to curl this means that they have become brittle and have reached the end of their lifespan. If you begin seeing dark streaks down the roof, have noticed a leak, have moss growing on the roof or anything of the sort it may be a good time to get the roof replaced.
The majority of homes in North Carolina use asphalt shingles or composite shingles, this means that the typical lifespan for the roof will range from 25-30 years. This lifespan comes from the manufacturer and is based on proper maintenance and installation from a professional roofing service. If for example you install the shingles yourself but do it incorrectly the roof may only last 18 years instead of 25-30 . In order to understand when you should replace your roof you first need to know what kind of materials you have that have been protecting you from the elements. Is your roof made of composite shingles, asphalt shingles, shakers (wood planks), metal? Each material has a different lifespan and different signs that they need to be replaced. Here are some common signs that may indicate your roof needs to be replaced and installed with a new one
Missing or broken shingles
If you have noticed broken shingles in the yard, gutter or driveway this is a sign that the shingles have begun to break down and come apart. When the granules that hold the asphalt shingles break down it makes the shingle itself brittle and prone to wind damages and cracking. If there are squares missing from the roof or any bald spots this is a common sign that your roof has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Missing shingles on a newer roof could have been caused by a storm or section of nails that didn't get a good hold of the OSB boards and underlayment. In this case all you would need is a roofing repair. When asphalt shingles become brittle they break off in small pieces during rain storms and wind storms, while asphalt shingles last many years eventually they fall apart.
Light entering the attic from the roof
If you go up into the attic during the daytime and notice small beams of light coming from the roof this is a big problem. If light can find its way into the attic then water can too, leaving the attic and insulation prone to water damages during the next storm. Usually these beams of light will be smaller and the size of a pencil or smaller in diameter. If you can see these pin holes of light it signifies that the shingles have worn down in that spot as well as the underlayment and plywood leaving the attic with no protection. If you can see multiple rays of light in the attic around the entire roof then it is for sure time to replace your roof.
Inspect the roof for bows, dips or valleys
Roofs are designed with draining purposes in mind, they are supposed to allow water the ability to drain from the shingles, down the gutters and into the yard or flowerbed. After many years that a roof becomes old and worn there will be sections of the roof called “valleys” these areas become prone to water build up. Water in these sections can sit on top of the roof for days until the sun dries it up, breaking down the materials much faster than expected. A leaky roof is often caused by a valley in the roof or build up of water in certain flat spots. As water sits in the valley over time it works its way through the shingles and into the plywood. If you can visibly see dips or valleys in the roof then it is a good idea to call our Fayetteville roofing company to get an inspection and roof replacement if needed.
Worn sealants and flashing
You may have never heard of the term “flashing” before. Simply put the word flashing is the water tight seal (commonly made of thin metal) around things such as exhaust vents, chimneys and skylights. Many times roof leaks can happen If this flashing gets damaged or has worn out overtime. Faulty or damaged flashing allows water to get under the shingles and begin causing problems without you even knowing. If you are concerned about potential leaks be sure to check the flashing around all ventilation pipes, swamp coolers and vents. If you don't feel comfortable going onto the roof and doing an inspection our professionals are more than ready to help. Our local roofing company in Fayetteville has helped provide roof inspections for many families and businesses. Call us today to get your roof inspection and an estimate if a roof replacement is advised.
Curled or bald shingles
The final sign that your roof may need to be replaced is when the shingles begin to curl, lose their granules and become stained/discolored. The majority of asphalt shingles are constructed by using a thin layer of asphalt to secure tiny rock-like materials to the shingle. After years of rain, hail, wind and constant sunlight the asphalt begins to lose the tiny rocks (Called granules). This is why some of the shingles on the roof may appear to be “shiny” or bald. When shingles begin to curl this means that they have become brittle and have reached the end of their lifespan. If you begin seeing dark streaks down the roof, have noticed a leak, have moss growing on the roof or anything of the sort it may be a good time to get the roof replaced.