If you consider re-roofing your house, you might wonder whether you are doing it more times than required. Well, while your neighbor’s roof might still be intact, yours could be crying for a retouch.
Re-roofing means adding another layer on top of the existing one. Some codes allow two layers of roofing, while others will allow three. Once the re-roofed roof starts tearing off, you will need to replace the house’s entire roof.
The number of times you re-roof your house will depend on the type of roof you have, how well you maintain it, and your roof’s lifespan. Most homeowners prefer re-roofing to save on labor and cost, but some roof damages call for complete roof replacement.
Know When To Re-Roof
Roofs are the most ignored parts of the house, meaning that they also receive very little care and attention. However, regardless of how long your roof’s lifespan is, you will not fail to notice signs that you should replace its shingles.
Want to learn more about roofing in Lubbock TX? Here are the signs that you should re-roof your house.
- Missing Granules
When you look upon your roof and see a dark patch on your light shingles, that is a sign that one, two, or more granules are missing. Granules do not affect waterproofing, so your house will not leak.
However, although they might not seem very necessary, granules protect the shingles from direct UV rays. If you don’t check your roof regularly to notice the missing granules, your shingles will wear out fast.
- There Are Minor Leaks
Water can pass through the tiniest cracks on the roof to your ceiling, and loose or missing shingles can be a reason for the leaks. A good indication of a leaking roof is water dropping from the top when it rains.
Also, when you notice yellow or brown stains on the ceiling, that is another indicator of leaks. Missing two or three shingles can be replaced.
- Lots Of Moss
Don’t panic when you notice that your shingles have moss growth because it does not mean that they are completely worn out. If the moss is in one area, you can remove the affected shingles and replace them.
Before replacing the shingles, look for water damage that might be due to worn-out waterproofing. Failure to replace the affected shingles will have the moss spreading to other areas. The moss will cause the other shingles to loosen, leading to worse moisture damage.
- Shingles Blowing Off Of The Roof
When shingles curl, dry, and crack, they will start blowing off the roof. Lost shingles lead to damage to the waterproofing under the roof, causing leaks. Replacing the blown-off shingles will save you an entire roof replacement.
- Aged Roof
How old is your roof? Most asphalts aged over 15 years start wearing out and falling. Homeowners who cannot afford to replace the entire roof at that time will prefer replacing missing shingles.
If your second layer of the roof starts wearing out, you will need to replace the entire roof. Replacing requires a complete tear-off, where you remove the whole top and install a new one.
Although most homeowners consider DIYs for almost all of their home projects, get a qualified roofer. Re-roofing is only a good choice for homeowners whose roofs have minor damages, are new, or are nearing the end of their lifespans.
What Can Affect A Roof’s Lifespan?
Roofs are designed to last for a certain period, but you can notice signs of damage even before the lifespan period ends.
- Type of the roof– Metal roofs last longer than wood and asphalt shingles. While the average lifespan of wood and asphalt shingles is 20 to 30 years, metal can last for over 60 years. However, it will also depend a lot on the type of metal.
- Maintenance– How well you maintain the roof will also determine how long it lasts. Ensure you repair minor cracks and holes that might lead to leaks because moisture damages the shingles more.
A roof inspection is necessary after strong winds that can lead to loosening and lifting of the shingles.
- Climate- Shingles in cold climates tend to wear out fast due to moisture. Ensure the underlayment is in good shape and working.
Adverse Effects Of Re-Roofing
Re-roofing is easy, fast, and cheap, but it has its downsides. The pros might outweigh the cons in some situations. Before you choose to re-roof, ensure these factors will not affect you.
- No Visible Inspection Of Roof Sheathing
When you report leaks on your roof, the roofer will come to inspect, and they will start by tearing off the part suspected for leaks. If not carefully done, the tear-offs can cause significant damages to the roof.
Also, if the roofer is not very good at inspecting and fails to see the cause of the problem, you might be forced to replace the entire roof.
- Difficulties In Replacing The Underlayment
The tarpaper between the roof sheathing and the shingles is for waterproofing. If it is old and worn out, the underlayment will not protect your roof from water, and the shingles will keep rotting and falling off.
If you live in a cold climate affected by snow, you will keep replacing the shingles due to water leaks from ice dams. When re-roofing, you have to replace this membrane to solve the problem entirely.
- Re-Roofing Affects The New Shingle’s Warranty
It is essential to read all the paperwork on the shingles before installing them. Some manufacturers advise against the use of their shingles for re-roofing. Going against the warranty’s requirements automatically knocks you out from the benefits of the contract.
- Re-Roofing May Be Against Local Codes
Before re-roofing, also consider the local codes. Some building codes allow only one layer of shingles on the roof, while you can have two layers in other areas. An example of a place that only allows a single layer of shingles is towns affected by hailstorms.
Final Words
Keeping an eye on your roof will help you know when to re-roof. Although re-roofing is the first option most homeowners go for, consider replacing the entire roof if the damage is significant or if you already have two layers. It will also save you on cost.
