Your roof is an incredibly important part of your home – it keeps you safe from the elements throughout every month of the year. When your roof needs replacement or just simple maintenance, how do you know what to do? Here are some of the most important roofing questions, answered so you can know how to properly care for your home’s roof.
Question #1: Is it time to replace my roof?
Water damage in your attic, pools of water, or brown and discolored portions of your ceiling can all indicate there is an issue with your roof. These often indicate that your roof has a leak. In addition, if you have significant areas of cracked or missing shingles, you should consider either replacing them or replacing the roof right away. Shingles are the only thing to keep water out, so any damage to them is not something to ignore.
Question #2: Does a leaky roof mean it needs to be replaced?
Not necessarily, it could be an isolated incident of a branch puncture, a pipe flashing failure, or a clogged valley full of tree debris diverting water. There is a myriad of possibilities for a single roof problem.
Question #3: What does water damage look like on my home?
Brown and discolored parts of your ceiling or attic could indicate water damage. In addition, if you have mold in your ceiling or attic, this could also indicate that there is moisture coming from your roof or your roof needs to have an inspection for a ventilation upgrade.
Question #4: If my roof is old, do I need to replace it?
If your existing shingle roof is between 20 and 25 years old, it should probably be replaced, especially if there are leaks or shingles missing. If the roof has several layers of shingles on it and it’s over 20 years old, you will probably need a new roof right away.
Question #5: Can I repair or replace the roof myself?
Most roofing work should not be done by the homeowner, but instead by a roofing professional. These contractors are familiar with what to look for in roofing systems and have been trained on proper roofing repair and replacement techniques. Re-roofing projects need to be completed with quality, accuracy, and efficiency.
Question #6: How much does a new roof cost?
The price of a new roof can vary greatly, depending on materials you select, how steep and how many stories, labor rates, and depending on if it’s a complete tear-off job with new plywood or if they can just add a new layer of roof to your existing roof.
Question #7: How long will my roof system last?
Usually, a quality roof will last about 22-30 years. Sometimes, they can last longer, depending on the material.
If you have roofing questions, Pacific West Roofing is here and happy to help! Contact us today with any concerns you may have.