When Does Your Roof Need to Be Replaced?

Your home’s roof does a wonderful job protecting you from cold, wind and rain — but that means it’s getting a constant battering from all that weather. Roofs can get damaged in many ways, and the solution is usually to make repairs. Eventually, though, the damage becomes too great, and the only option is a roof replacement.

How to Check for Damage?

Whether your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, you have to find the damage first. A roof should be checked on a regular basis — twice a year at least, ideally in spring and autumn, but additionally after any extreme weather.

The ideal way to check your roof from outside is to get up close on a ladder. However, this needs not only a high-quality ladder, but also experience and confidence in working at heights. If you’re not equipped for this, though, it doesn’t matter. You can still examine your roof from street level through binoculars.

You can also detect roof damage from inside. Damp or mould on the upper-floor walls could well be a sign, but the best way is to go into your loft during the day. Switch all lights off, and if you see pinpricks of light above you, that’s a sign that you have problems.

What Are You Checking For?

• Cracked, loose or missing tiles — this will let water seep through into your roof space, rotting the timbers. One or two tiles can be replaced, but if there’s a major problem, it could be cheaper in the long run to replace the whole roof.
• Moss or mould on the roof — these will damage the tiles underneath. They can be cleaned off, though this is a major job, but if multiple tiles have been damaged, you may need a replacement.
• Sagging — if you roof is sagging, especially the ridge, it’s likely to be beyond repair and needs to be replaced.
• Debris in the gutters — though small amounts of shingles may wash down into the guttering, a substantial amount on a regular basis may be a sign that your roof is deteriorating.
• Damaged underlay — the underlay is just as vital as the tiles to keep the water out. The odd tear can be repaired, but if the underlay needs to be replaced, this can only be done by replacing the whole roof.

Repair or Replace?

Many types of damage to your roof can be repaired, without needing to replace everything, but there comes a point when constant patching is more trouble than it’s worth. This is particularly true if your roof is old, though that depends on the materials used. For instance, a tile roof should last at least sixty years, whereas a slate roof may last as long as a hundred.

In the end, the best way of telling whether your roof has reached the point of needing to be replaced is to get an expert opinion. Whether your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, you’re very welcome to get in touch with us. You can also learn more about roof replacements here! 

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