One of the most impactful home improvements you can make is to replace your roof. Replacing your worn-out roof with a brand-new one is a significant, financially substantial decision that not only affects your home’s curb appeal but also plays a vital role in enhancing energy efficiency. Hence, when wondering “how to know if you need a roofing replacement“, it’s also worth considering the energy-efficient characteristics of your new roof.
Although enhancing your house’s energy efficiency is one of the many benefits of roofing replacement, several factors should be considered when choosing a new roof to ensure it helps lower your energy bills, rather than raising them. If you’re considering a new roof but unsure if it’s the right time and if it can help reduce your energy consumption, read on!
When to do a roofing replacement?: 4 tell-tale signs
Every roof ages differently, depending on various factors such as local weather conditions, maintenance frequency, materials, and the quality of installation; hence, it’s not possible to set a definitive answer for how often you should replace your roof. However, there are several tips on “how to know if you need a roof replacement“ that can help you make the decision.
The first and most important of roofing replacement tips is to have your roof inspected by professionals regularly. This will help you determine the current state of your roof and receive professional advice on whether it’s time to replace it. It’s recommended to inspect your roof at least twice a year, although this frequency may vary depending on the type and material of your roof.
For instance, flat roofs should be inspected biannually due to their tendency to pond water, while tile roofs may need one every 3 years.
1. Buckled or curled shingles
Another common tip on how to know if you need a roof replacement is noticing shingles that are curled or buckled on your roof. Shingles should lie flat on your roof; hence, if you see they’re curling or buckling, your roof is likely showing signs of substantial wear, and you should schedule a professional inspection.
Likewise, if you notice “bald spots” on your roof shingles, it’s likely time to replace them. These bald spots indicate that your shingles are shedding the stone granules of the coating, and they’re nearing the end of their life.
2. Daylight through the roof boards
Visiting your attic is also among the common roofing replacement tips. From there, you can check if there’s daylight coming through the roof sheathing without risking your safety. If you notice any, it means your roof system has likely sustained significant damage, and you may need to replace it entirely.
3. Missing shingles or tiles
If you’re googling “how to know if you need a roofing replacement,” you’ll find that another common sign is noticing missing shingles. Missing a few shingles, tiles, or tabs, especially after a heavy storm, which is common in the Treasure Coast, doesn’t mean you have time to replace your roof. Now, if you have large areas with many missing spots across your roof, this is a telltale sign that your roof’s useful days are numbered.
4. Sagging or moss growth
Noticing your roof sagging in the roof line or through the attic, or finding moss, mold, or algae growing on it, are usually severe signs that your roofing needs replacement, as they often mean your roof is trapping moisture, which can further deteriorate the materials.
If you’re wondering when to do a roofing replacement, check for moisture in your roof by examining the attic’s insulation and inspecting the deck for signs of rot or sagging boards.
How to know if you need a roofing replacement: Consider the benefits
Although accumulated wear and tear and substantial damage are the most common reasons to look for a new roof, you can also decide to replace it if you feel your current roof isn’t performing as well as newer ones, especially when it comes to energy efficiency.
Perhaps it’s too old, or the original material isn’t energy-efficient; whatever the reason, seizing the energy-efficient benefits of roofing replacement is always a good reason to upgrade your roof.
A new roof can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home.
A not-so-common sign of when to do roofing replacement is if you notice your house is getting hotter with each passing summer. If your current roof wasn’t designed to reflect the sun’s heat, it will absorb a significant amount of it, which can increase your indoor temperature and overwork your AC units.
Hence, noticing too many spikes in your heating and cooling costs is another sign of “how to know if you need a roofing replacement.” Luckily, nowadays roofing materials are designed with energy efficiency in mind, and you can find several reflective materials, such as metal or coated asphalt shingles, as well as reflective paint to coat your roof, helping you cool down the house and reduce your energy consumption.
It helps improve your roof insulation.
Preventing roof leaks is another one of the many benefits of roofing replacement. If your current roof is not well insulated, it’s likely to lead to air leaks.
Whether the A/C is turned on to cool down the living room during summer days, or you’re heating your bedroom on a windy night, the air can escape through the roof and force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures, leading to higher energy bills.
It helps control indoor moisture.
If you’re wondering how to know if you need a roofing replacement, noticing mold and mildew growth can help you make an informed decision. Roof leaks and inadequate attic ventilation can lead to mold and mildew inside your home, compromising indoor air quality.
When installing a new roof, you can ensure, together with your roofers, that the new underlayment and water/vapor barriers help keep your home interiors dry and humidity levels stable.
Compliance with building codes and energy-efficiency standards
As Florida’s building codes are updated, you may need to improve your roof and home to stay compliant with the energy conservation standards, including established requirements for minimum thermal resistance (R-value), air leakage, and insulation.
Googling “how to know if you need a roofing replacement?” Make the right choice with Atlantis Roofing.
Serving customers across the Treasure Coast, the Atlantis Roofing crew is committed to providing you with premium roofing services, from roof replacement to seasonal inspections. Regardless of the job’s size, we’ll always prioritize quality and safety to ensure your complete satisfaction and guarantee that you reap all the benefits of roofing replacement in the long run.
If you want to ensure your roof looks fantastic, helps you save on energy costs, and performs as it should all year long, whether sunny days or stormy mornings, give us a call and get your quote. Our service area includes:
- Stuart, FL
- Palm City, FL
- Palm Beach, FL
- Port Saint Lucie, FL
- Jupiter, FL
- Wellington, FL
- The Acreage, FL