In our daily lives, we rarely consider our roof – until there’s a problem that turns into a major emergency, costing thousands in repair. However, your home’s roof is the first defense against huge damage to the structural integrity of your house, and it’s important that you keep it in great shape so that your home remains stable and secure.
Depending on materials, your roof should be replaced every 15-30 years, but that’s not necessarily helpful if you’ve purchased your home within the last few years. The previous homeowners might not have left detailed information about when they last replaced the roof – or they may never have, and the roof is now overdue for essential maintenance.
There are many signs that you may need to get a roof replaced, many of which are quite obvious, such as a sagging roof or extensive rot in a certain area.
However, today we’re going to look at the more insidious signals that your roof is ready to be replaced by a licensed contractor.
Sign #1: Light in the Attic
When we’re thinking about the roof, the obvious step is to stand outside and see if there are shingles missing or sagging areas, but this isn’t always evident from the ground. You might not be able to see the top of your roof depending on its incline, but the very top is what is most exposed to elements, and therefore it is more likely to get the worst of wind, rain, and sunlight. Moreover, it’s not a good idea to climb onto your roof without proper safety equipment and training, as it’s very easy to slip and fall.
A better bet is to go into your attic with the lights off and look for patches of light peeking through even a small strip of light can indicate that some shingles are missing and need to be replaced. Be sure to take pictures that you can show to a licensed roofing contractor, who can match them to the location on the roof that needs further inspection.
Sign #2: Debris in the Gutter or Downspouts
This is most pertinent if you have an asphalt roof, which is one of the most common types of roofing in the Denver area thanks to its durability and weather resistance. Asphalt shingles are coated with granules that lend it waterproofing, but these are gradually worn away by the elements, which will then be washed into the gutters and downspouts during rainstorms.
When you’re cleaning out your gutters, don’t just look for stray leaves and pine needles: check also for asphalt granules from your shingles. This will often look like a fine layer of sand or sediment on the bottom of the gutter, and its color will closely match the roofing itself. If you notice a large amount of this debris, you need to contact a roofing contractor in Denver who can see which shingles need replacement and give you an idea of the cost.
Sign #3: Higher Energy Bills
Higher energy bills can be for a number of reasons: it might have been an especially hot summer or cold winter, or your energy company might have raised its prices. However, if you know for a fact that the weather has been the same as the year before but your bills are still going up, it’s time to investigate other causes.
Roofing, windows, and siding are meant to protect your home from the elements and keep inside air in, which reduces your heating and cooling costs. Over time, these protective barriers begin to degrade; for roofing specifically, as the shingles start to thin, they can no longer prevent UV light from heating up your interior or ensure that heat doesn’t escape from inside. This means that your energy bills will gradually rise until you realize you’re paying way more money per year than you were before.
When you start to notice that your energy bills are going up, you need to examine three factors: your roof, your siding, and your windows. If your windows have been recently replaced and your siding is relatively new, it’s time to think about how long your roof has been in place and whether it’s time to call in a qualified roofing contractor to give you an estimate.
Discuss your Options with a Trustworthy Roofing Contractor
A roofing contractor can let you know how much of your roof needs to be replaced and how much it will cost, as well as what your options are. Maybe you’ll decide you’d like to have a brand new roof made with more energy-efficient materials, or perhaps you’ll go for a piece-by-piece repair, which is more budget-friendly.
Whatever you decide, you should always consult a roofing contractor rather than trying to do it yourself, as roofing requires extensive training and safety measures to be done correctly.
Your Denver home is your castle, and any good castle needs great defensive measures: that means keeping its exterior in great shape so that it can stand guard against the elements and keep you perfectly secure.