When
to Re-Roof...?
From the exterior, shingles can be showing
their age by being cracked, curled or even missing in areas. Rotting
Fascias and soffits are a good sign that the aging process is also
affecting the shingles and wood underneath. When you look at the
roof, there might be a bowing of the roof signifying that the wood
underneath is rotted. Look for corroded flashing (metal). Clogged
gutters may have large amounts of granules from the decomposing
shingles.
Not as easily determined but nonetheless just
as important, the interior needs to be checked. Water damage could
be spotted in the attic, closets, ceilings and walls.
If you see discolored areas, plaster or wallpaper loosening, soft
spots in the walls, the moisture could be running down the inside
walls so as not to be as noticeable.
Whether or not you have a leak and know the
approximate age of the shingles to be around 18 years old, you are
probably due for a new roof soon anyway. Keep an eye on these areas
to prevent any problems.
Don’t Wait Til It’s Too Late
If you do wait for a leak to occur,
to decide to replace your shingles, you may encounter more problems
than you want. When the water starts to come in, it can cause damage
from the point where it entered and can wander through the skeleton
of the house until you find it dripping from your ceiling fan or
find the walls soft and moist. It can take up to a year or more
of leaking to show on the inside, making it quite possible that
interior damage can be of substantial cost for replacement by you
the home owner.
Why is ventilation important...?
Whether it is Spring, Summer, Winter,
or Fall your home needs proper ventilation. Just like we have to
breathe In & Out, so does your home. Below are some of the reasons
why you need ventilation.
The average family of 4 will produce 3 to
4 gallons of moisture that accumulates in the home. From shower,
laundry, and dishes, moisture will build up and rise into the attic.
The moisture needs to escape from the house to prevent mold, mildew
and the rotting of your attic wood.
When Summer heat enters your home, it needs
to also exit. Otherwise it would become unbearable. In the winter,
it needs to escape to prevent Ice-damming.
Ice-Damming is caused when the heat
in your attic builds up. When heavy amounts of snow fall on your
roof, the snow works as an insulator, causing the heat in your attic
to melt the snow. As it melts, it slides down to the gutter line
and refreezes there. This will then back up the water, thus entering
into your house behind the shingles.
Have a another question? Call 1.866.9.ROOF-IT
or email us.
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