Are you concerned about the condition of your home’s roof and wondering whether you should have it replaced? When it comes to roof replacement, it’s important to be proactive and get it done before the roof starts leaking or experiences other serious issues. That’s why it’s a good idea to know the signs that your roof may need replaced and also when the best time to have your roof replaced is.
How to Know When to Replace Your Roof
Knowing how long any roof will last and when it will need to be replaced isn’t always easy. That’s because it depends in large part on the type of roofing materials and the complexity of your roof layout. Although some asphalt shingles are rated for 40 or 50 years, they rarely ever end up lasting this long. Instead, most asphalt shingle roofs will need to be replaced after 20 to 30 years. That’s because extreme heat, sun exposure, algae growth and other issues cause shingles to slowly degrade or deteriorate over time. Composite shingles are more durable and don’t deteriorate as quickly. That’s why they usually last for 40 to 50 years. This is good news since the longer lifespan helps to offset the higher cost of installing them.
No matter what type of shingles your roof has, some telltale signs will let you know it’s time to start planning for a roof replacement. One obvious sign that a roof needs replacing or at least should be repaired is if it has started leaking. That’s why you should regularly check inside your attic for any signs of leaking or water damage. You also want to make sure that you can’t see any light through the roof in the attic since this obviously indicates that there’s a gap where water can leak in. One other thing to look for when in the attic is if any of the wooden sheets that make up the roof deck have started rotting or decaying. Water spots or stains on any ceiling on the upper floor of your home also indicate a leak.
The condition of the shingles and the overall roof can also tell you a lot. If your roof has major issues, you can often see them from the ground. For instance, if any sections of the roof are sagging, it’s long overdue for a replacement. Another thing to look for is curling, missing, cracked or broken shingles or if the shingles have bald spots where most of the granules are gone. If you have a ladder, you can just climb up to the edge and quickly check the condition of the shingles. However, you’re always better off having an experienced roofer perform the inspection since they’ll know much more about what to look for and be better able to spot any issues with your roof.
What Time of Year Is Best to Replace a Roof?
Having your roof inspected annually can allow you to plan ahead. That’s because an experienced professional roofing company should be able to give you at least a decent estimate of how many more years your roof is likely to last. Of course, there could be an emergency situation where you need to have your roof replaced immediately, such as if it suffers major storm damage. Nonetheless, it’s still a good idea to try and plan for your roof replacement if possible. This is partly so that you can budget for the new roof and start saving additional money if needed. That said, the main reason is that it’s better to replace your roof at certain times of the year when possible.
The time of year that’s best to replace your roof depends largely on where in the country you live. In most places, fall is generally considered the best time to replace a roof. This is because the temperature has started cooling down and the weather is usually more consistent. Fall is also the least rainy time of the year in many places. If you do want to replace your roof in the fall, you’ll need to plan quite far in advance since fall and summer are usually the busiest times of the year for roofing companies.
Replacing your roof in winter can also be a good choice in places like Georgia and South Carolina where you don’t have to worry about snowstorms. Roofing companies are also usually not as busy in the winter so you will often have a bit more flexibility in terms of scheduling the replacement. In places that experience freezing temperatures and/or get lots of snow, you definitely don’t want to try and have your roof replaced in the winter. That’s because many roof sealants won’t set up properly if it’s too cold and ice makes a roof repair unsafe. Another reason is that shingles are quite brittle at low temperatures.
Spring to early summer aren’t necessarily bad times, but the issue is that many places experience extreme weather such as severe thunderstorms and heavy rains. Although the roofers will use tarps at the end of each day to cover the roof so that it doesn’t leak, thunderstorms and rainfall will still cause delays. Mid- to late-summer is usually the busiest time for roofing companies so you’ll often have more difficulty getting onto a company’s schedule. The extreme temperatures also make it more difficult to work on a roof and can potentially lead to the job taking longer. In places that experience hurricanes, you’re also best to wait and schedule your roof replacement until hurricane season is over.
Factors to Consider When Replacing a Roof
The main thing you should do when you need to replace your roof is carefully consider what type of shingles you’re going to use. Opting for wind-resistant asphalt or composite shingles is a smart choice in hurricane-prone areas since they’ll be better able to withstand high winds without breaking or getting torn off the roof. Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are also a good choice. They are stronger and will be less likely to crack or break if hit with flying debris or hail.
Another important consideration is shingle color. In places with hotter summers and milder winters, you’re always best to choose a lighter color. That’s because lighter colors are better at reflecting heat and sunlight. They won’t deteriorate as quickly from sun exposure. A light-colored roof also makes a home more energy efficient by preventing it from heating up as much in the summer.
For nearly two decades, Fraser Roofing, LLC has been helping homeowners in Georgia and South Carolina with all of their roof inspection, repair, replacement and maintenance needs. We have locations in Metro Atlanta, Newnan, Canton, Sandersville, Statesboro and Greenville/Spartanburg, and we serve all customers in all of the surrounding areas as well. If you’re unsure of whether you need to have your roof repaired or replaced, contact us to schedule an inspection and receive a free estimate.
