Being located in the northeast of the country, Delaware experiences some harsh winters. Those winter conditions can put a lot of stress on your roof, and other types of weather don’t help the matter. In spite of all this, many people don’t tend to worry about their roof until it starts leaking. A leak is something that you can’t really ignore, but you shouldn’t wait for such an intrusive problem to occur. In many cases, your roof might need repair or replacement even if it’s not leaking.
Insurance Can Play A Role
When you are trying to insure your home, the condition of your roof can definitely play a role. All insurance companies are wary of risk, and that means they won’t insure a home with a high risk of disaster. Thus, most home insurance companies will require that a home have at least 5 years of estimated life remaining. Since standard asphalt roofing shingles have a relatively short lifespan (about 20 years, on average), you might have to replace them in order to get your home insured.
Know The Signs Of Shingle Wear
When a roofing contractor suggests that you need a new roof, you might feel suspicious of such claims. If your roof isn’t leaking, it might seem like they are just trying to get more money out of you. However, that is probably not the case. There are actually many cases in which a roof becomes badly worn down without leaking. Still, it’s a good idea to know the signs of shingle wear so that you can make a sound judgment.
Mainly, you should look at the shingles. These are the top surface of the roof, and so they take the most wear and tear. There are four particular things you want to look for:
- Edge curling- If the edges of your shingles are curled up like old paper, they are no good.
- Granule loss- If a shingle has lost all its surface granules, it is no good.
- Lack of adhesion- If two or more shingles are not properly connected, they will flap in the wind and are therefore no good.
- Missing Pieces- Obviously, any shingle with broken or missing pieces is no good.
Age Alone Is Sometimes A Good Enough Reason
As we mentioned earlier, every type of roof has an estimated lifespan. While these numbers are not exact, they are based on years of experience and data. Thus, they are the best figures we have and should be respected as such. A standard asphalt shingle roof has a relatively low lifespan when compared to other roofing materials, but no roof lasts forever. The longest lifespan would probably come from a slate roof, as those can last for centuries if properly maintained.
In any case, you should replace your roof if it is approaching the end of its lifespan. The maximum possible lifespan for most standard roofs is 30 years, but remember that 30 years is the maximum number. Most roofing jobs will last somewhere between 20 and 25 years. Therefore, it is definitely a good idea to replace your roof if it hasn’t been replaced in 20+ years. Yes, you might be able to squeeze a few more years out of it, but remember this: A ruined or collapsed roof is much harder to repair than one which is merely old.
Workmanship Can Also Be A Factor
There are lots of roofers in Delaware, and not all are of equal quality. Many of the cheapest roofing contractors will also be those who do shoddy work. And so, if you have already figured out that your roof was not installed by properly qualified people, a replacement is probably in order.
Yes, that is an expensive mistake, but that’s why you should be careful to only hire certified and reputable contractors. The cheapest option can sometimes turn into the most expensive option in the long run. Any premature failure of your roof indicates that it might not have been installed properly.
Storm Damage
If your roof has suffered serious damage from a recent storm, a full replacement might very well be in order. Even if the surface-level damage doesn’t seem so bad, a powerful storm can cause problems that are not so obvious. Needless to say, we are talking about something more than the average thunderstorm here, but severe weather can indeed warrant a full replacement.
A Word About Flashing And Gutters
Shingles are not the only part of your roof that warrants an inspection. Flashing and gutter systems should also be inspected thoroughly. These surfaces will often show their wear before the shingles themselves. Rusty flashing is probably the biggest indicator that your roof hasn’t been maintained in a long time. If your gutters are rusty, they will probably be leaking as well. Bottom line: Excessive wear to your flashing and gutters indicates that your roof probably does need replacement.
Conclusion
If your roof shows signs of damage and you need some expert help, don’t waste your time with those other Delaware roofing companies. Instead, you can call RGB Construction at 856-264-9093. When you call us, you can rest assured that the job will be done right. We take excellence very seriously, and we will always treat your home as if it were our own.
