5 Signs You Might Need New Roofing

Roofing is an essential structural component of your home. It keeps the elements out so your family can stay safe and dry. It is important to keep it well maintained and properly functioning. A small leak here and thereis nothing to worry about and can be easily repaired. But when is it time to start considering professional repair orreplacement? Here are five signs that it might be time to call a contractor.AgeHow old is your roofing? Depending on the materials used to make your house, the average life expectancy of the structure is 20 to 25 years. If you live in a climate with high humidity orheavy snowfall, that number might be much smaller. The best way to determine the integrity of your roof is to have a contractor complete an inspection. They can spot the signs of aging.Deteriorating ShinglesAre the shingles on your roof buckling, curling, tearing apart, or even falling off? You might not notice this immediately, as many houses have overlapping shingles, but if you see granules in your gutters or if whole shingles begin to slip off, that is an indication of major trouble. Like the roof itself, these components have a definitive life expectancy. Their life span changes from home to home and climate to climate. If you see holes, chances are that it is time to have someone come look at the potential damage.ValleysValleys are the small dips or sagging areas among shingles, in sheeting, or in wood. They are caused by the deterioration of the rafters, often because of high humidity or snowfall that causes the rafters to begin to rot. Valleys can allow rainfall to come into the home, leading to damaging leaks. Watch out for these nuisances, which can facilitate potentially dangerous mold growth.Daylight in the AtticIf your house is well made, you should not be able to see daylight in your attic unless it is coming through a window. Tiny shafts of light between theboards could point to serious problems with the roofing supports. As with valleys, this problem happens when too much moisture and poor ventilation in the attic causes the rafters to becomemoldy and begin to rot.Off-brand MaterialsIn order to cut costs and present a low bid, some contractors use off-brand materials when constructing houses. If you know that the previousowners or builders of your house did this, you maywant to give another contractor a call. Off-brand materials such as shingles or sheeting are often made from lesser quality materials, and some shingles or pieces of sheeting may be irregular and unsound. These materials will not last very long and could pose a serious risk to you and yourfamily's safety in the future.These are just some of the things you should watch out for when regularly inspecting your roofing. If in doubt, it is always a good idea to contact a contractor or specialist to answer any questions. Every homeowner needs to know that their covering is in the best shape possible.When considering roofing, Concord residents visit Action Roofing. Learn more athttp://www.theactionroofing.com/services/.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrew_Stratton/83489