A home’s roof should give it many years of secure coverage. When correctly installed and properly maintained, your asphalt shingles could last for 20 years or more, and metal roofs can last much longer. A poorly constructed or neglected roof will have a much shorter life. Still, even the best roof can suffer immediate damage or destruction from severe weather, pests, or untrained service technicians. A roof replacement can be a significant expense for many homeowners. Your insurance company may help with the costs in the case of fire or weather damage, but you may be responsible for the full price if your roof is older and simply worn out due to age or neglect. Knowing the exact condition of your roof should start with a complete roof inspection conducted by a reputable Austin residential roofing contractor.
Do I Need a New Roof? | Central Texas
What Are Some Signs That I Need a New Roof?
Most licensed roofing companies offer free inspections to evaluate the condition of your roof. However, if you want to conduct your preliminary assessment, here are a few questions you can answer before you begin calling roofing contractors.
1. How old is your roof? As your roof ages, you need to pay more attention to it. Roofing materials have different life expectancies, but damage from wear and tear accumulates over time. Exposure to the elements will gradually degrade roofing materials, and adverse weather conditions can make that degradation visible. Visually inspect your roof as often as possible and look for signs of trouble. Walk around the house and take notice of your roof’s condition. A few missing or damaged shingles may only require some minor roof repairs. However, if the shingles are in overall poor condition with many broken, missing, or curled ones, you might want to start soliciting quotes from roof contractors. The same is true if there are numerous bald spots where the shingles have lost their granules.
2. Have you noticed any signs that water is leaking into the interior of your home? Professional roof repair contractors know that roof leaks will only get worse and inflict more damage if they are not repaired quickly. By the time you notice a water stain on your ceiling, wall, or floor, damage has likely occurred to the roof deck, in the attic, or even inside the wall voids. Knowledgeable and experienced roof contractors are trained to catch leaks at their source and minimize the damage that can occur. However, if there are numerous leaks involving different parts of your roof, a roof replacement may be more cost-effective than repairs, especially if there is underlying damage.
3. Are you finding a lot of granules in your gutters or around your foundation and downspouts? New asphalt shingles can shed a significant quantity of excess granules during the first year or two of their life. However, if your shingles are older, granule loss is typically an indication that you will soon need to replace your roof.
4. When was the last time you were in your attic? Many issues with a roof will first become evident in the attic. Wet or mildewed insulation, gaps where the wall and roof planes meet, rotten rafters, broken vents, signs that birds or squirrels are nesting or have nested in your attic, and water stains on the underside of your roof deck are just a few signs that you may have a problem with your roof. The extent of the damage will determine whether you need to replace or repair your roof.
If you want an honest, professional evaluation of your roof, contact Alpha Roofing. We would be happy to provide you with a free inspection to determine whether you need a new roof or a roof replacement. We are known for our integrity, our craftsmanship, and our competitive prices. We serve commercial and residential customers in Austin and Central Texas with a variety of roofing services, including the installation of asphalt shingles, metal roofs, flat roofs,flashing, and skylights. We also offer roof repairs, moss and debris removal, chimney repairs, and emergency roof repair. To request a free quote or discuss your roofing issues, call 512-777-1086, or submit the online form