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There’s a good reason why people say “the roof over your head” when referring to home. Roofs are the front lines that cover your shelter. A good roof will make you forget you even have one, but one that needs replacement will make you never forget.

Do you know the signs that your roof needs replacement?

HIGH ENERGY BILLS

One warning sign of an aging roof is your home having a sharp incline in its energy bills.

A roof that needs replacement may be badly damaged or poorly insulated. This will cause outside air – whether it’s hot or cold – to travel freely, making it hard for your HVAC system to relegate temperature.

ICE DAMS IN WINTER

If you have high energy bills as a result of an old roof, chances are you notice ice dams forming on your roof in winter. As heat rises, a poorly insulated roof heats the overall temperature of your attic. With the higher attic temperatures, snow on your roof begins to melt and trickles down to your eaves, where it freezes again.

This process repeats until the ice dam is too big to ignore, or it breaks off under the weight, causing significant damage to your roof and parts of your property below.

YOUR ROOF IS LEAKING

Roofs that leak during or after a storm may need either a minor repair or an entire replacement. Leaks in your home mean damaged or missing shingles on your roof. A leaking roof promotes mold and mildew to grow on every layer of your roof, from the shingles and underlayment all the way to the attic!

Additionally, after an extended period of exposure to the elements, parts of your roof may experience significant rot. Rot on your roof eventually causes the entire structure to sink and sway, which is a significant hazard and a much more costly repair than just simple roof replacement.

If your roof is leaking, it’s best to schedule an inspection to assess the damage.

AGING SHINGLES

If it’s been 20 years since you last replaced your roof’s shingles, it may be time to consider a roof replacement – especially if you have asphalt shingles. Depending on the quality of the installation, materials used, and general climate over the past couple of decades, after the 20 year mark is when you should keep a closer eye on the state of your shingles with annual inspections.

Metal or cedar shake roofing is a bit more expensive but will typically last longer than asphalt shingles.

LOOSE GRANULES, MISSING/ DAMAGED SHINGLES

If you find darkly colored loose granules around your property, this means your roof is damaged, aging, or both. The dark granules on shingles help protect them from harmful UV rays. Once these granules start to fall off, your shingles will be exposed to the sun–causing further damage.

Additionally, if you see that your roof has any missing shingles, you may want to inspect the rest of it. If there are a couple of shingles missing, then there’s bound to be more. Even in small sections, an exposed roof can cause irreversible and expensive damage.

Lastly, keep an eye out for any damaged shingles on your roof. Dented, ripped, or warped shingles indicate further damage around and under your roof.

In short, if you spot anything out of the ordinary, it’s best to contact a trusted exterior contractor for an inspection.

SCHEDULE A FREE ROOFING INSPECTION WITH TRINITY EXTERIORS

Does your roof have any of these warning signs? Then contact Trinity Exteriors! We are committed to providing quality service to our customers with any of your exterior needs, along with 24/7 emergency services.

Get a free quote online, or give us a call at 952-920-9520 today for the best exterior work in the west metro!