Everything has a shelf life. The milk in your fridge, your car, even your sneakers after you’ve worn them hundreds of times.
Just like everything else, your roof will eventually need replacing.
It may not be as noticeable as an expiration date or a blown engine, but it’s just as important when it comes to replacing it.
As a homeowner, you should be aware of all the appliances, utilities, and infrastructure that may need replacing down the line, even if you bought everything brand new when you moved in.
When you bought your home, did you ask what year the roof was replaced? Is the roof new, or has it been repaired or recovered? What kind of insurance and warranty is on the roof?
It’s important to know this information because when it comes time to have your roof replaced, you’ll want to know what you’re dealing with!
Pro tip: Your roofing contractor can help you find out all of this information. If you need help, search “roofing contractor near me,” or if you live in the San Antonio or Austin areas, call us here at Stephens Roofing for a Free Estimate and guidance!
If you’re not sure when to replace your roof, keep reading! We’ve curated a few examples below that will give you insight on whether or not your roof needs replaced!
Your Roof Is Old and Hasn’t Been Inspected In Years
Even though roofs are meant to withstand and protect for years, they do have a limit of viability. So if your roof is more than 20 years old and hasn’t been repaired/recovered, it is vitally important that you have a roofing inspector come out and assess your roof.
Your roof may look okay on the outside, but there could be water damage on the inside that is wreaking havoc on the wood and supports underneath the shingles and covering.
The smallest crack in a seal or a lifted or missing shingle can lead to significant damage if not properly fixed. However, if caught early, you may just need a roof repair instead of an entire replacement. This repair can extend the life of your roof beyond 20 years and still keep it structurally sound.
As a rule of thumb, you should have your roof inspected every year if your roof is over 15 years old or if you live in an area susceptible to bad weather and high winds.
Your Roof is Leaking
If you’ve found water spots of leaking inside your home on the ceiling, this is an obvious sign that there is a problem. It may be a plumbing issue, but if nothing has been found to be wrong with the plumbing, the leak will probably be due to a roofing issue. Once the leak has gotten to the ceiling and most likely into the walls, you have damage that might not be readily noticeable from the surface.
Inside your roof, you have wooden supports, but you also have insulation and other materials that can mold or become ruined due to a damaged roof.
You also have electrical wiring that can be damaged and cause a fire, further issues, or injury when it’s wet or damaged.
If you suspect that a leak is coming from your roof – you will want to call your contractor right away. They will assess the issue and also help you with insurance/warranty claims.
Don’t Know When To Replace Your Roof? Call Stephens Roofing!
If you’re unsure if it’s time to replace your roof or if your roof needs to be repaired or recovered, call us at Stephens Roofing.
For close to 4 decades, we have been serving San Antonio, Boerne, Austin, and surrounding areas helping homeowners and business owners with all of their roofing needs.
For more residential roofing or commercial roofing, information visit our website, browse our blog page and schedule a free estimate with one of our roofing professionals.
