Saturday, November 20, 2010

Evaluating Your Roof

If you feel your roof is reaching that 20-year mark, take some time to evaluate it carefully. Go into your attic and inspect the underside of the roof deck for stains and wet spots that indicate small leaks are present. Roof leaks appear dry with dark rings on the edges, somewhat like a coffee stains. Spotting leaks at this point is always better than spotting them when they are substantial enough to drip onto your ceilings.

If you can walk on your roof, take a walk to see if the surface looks good. Inspect the surface granules on your shingles. If they are wearing off, your roof is nearing the end of its expected lifespan and will need to be repaired or replaced. If the shingles are starting to warp and curl, you need to think about having a roofing contractor give you an estimate on roof repair as soon as possible, because you are nearing the point where repair is not possible and you will have to fully replace the roof.

If you find that you need a new roof, consider hiring a qualified roofing contractor, rather than a general handyman. This improves the likelihood that the job will be done well, and it also helps your new roof to have a longer life expectancy. It's far better to pay a little more now and have the roof last longer, than to face the need to replace it again not far down the road.

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