I understand my home is the biggest investment I will likely make in my lifetime. But sometimes I forget the importance of timing in doing the proper maintenance and home improvements that my property requires. Life experience has taught me that investing in a new roof before I spot the first warning signs of damage is the most economical move. These signs can include:
- Loose or broken shingles: I learned to check my roof every time thunderstorms or high winds and hail go through my area. Once leaks appear, it costs me much more than the price of a roof to replace portions of my ceiling.
- Moss or algae growing on the roof: This can cause mold growth and serious decay, thus shortening the lifespan of your roof.
- Evidence of leaks on the ceilings or damp or rotten areas under the roof: This can cause structural integrity that shortens the life of your roof. In my case, it damaged the rafters and ceiling joists, as well as my ceiling.
Timing Is Everything
Once my roof was compromised by minor leaks, I had to spend even more money repairing the damage. As you can imagine, these costly repairs wreaked havoc on my budget.
I assumed that as long as I didn’t have any major leaks showing on my ceilings, my roof was in excellent shape. The truth is that roofs should be replaced before you spot these warning signs to ensure that you don’t have to pay for other pricey repairs.
Roofs are not meant to last forever. Although copper, slate or tile roofs can last for 50 years or more, other roofs don’t last nearly that long. Wood shake roofs last approximately 30 years, while roofs with fiber cement shingles can last about 25 years. But an asphalt shingle roof — like mine — and composition roofs only last about 20 years. Tip: Find out the age of your roof. If you didn’t have the home built, you can find the year it was built on your mortgage papers. If the roof’s lifespan is nearing an end, it wise to consult with professional roofing companies to get a complimentary roof analysis and roof replacement estimates.
Let’s Talk About Weather
Inclement weather, such as hail, snow, high winds, and strong rains are particularly hard on roofs and shorten its lifespan. Extremely hot temperatures can also wear down your roof, particularly if it doesn’t have a special UV coating that blocks harsh ultraviolet rays. Improper roof ventilation can also cause major shortening of a roof’s lifespan.
Increasing Your Home’s Selling Price
A new roof adds curb appeal and monetary value to your home. It can boost the sale price by $10K or more. When I finally purchased a new roof, it made my home look much more attractive. The fact that many newer roofs are created to reflect solar heat during the summer months gives owners the added value of reducing their utility costs; that’s a bonus that most people greatly appreciate.
Lassoing the Power of Solar Energy
After talking with the roofing specialist, I decided to install solar shingles on my roof. They have helped me reduce my utility bills; annually this can add up to a 60 percent savings! They are just as attractive and durable as regular roofing shingles and look like regular roof tiles. But, amazingly, they are useful in powering my HVAC unit and other electronic appliances and devices in my home. In my area, I can even sell the extra power generated by these solar shingles to my local electric grid. This is a perk that I love!
If the lifespan of your existing roof is about to end, I urge you to talk with a roofing specialist today. They will help you select the type of roof that best suits your needs and budget. It is always a wise move to protect and preserve your biggest investment!