Spring is in the air and homeowners are busying themselves with all sorts of home projects to improve the appeal of their homes after a long winter.
While planting flowers, laying down new sod, and refreshing your home’s exterior paint are all excellent ways to give your home extra curb appeal, it’s also important to think about a spring roof replacement.
Learn why spring is the perfect season for roof replacement and how to get a jump on repairs in this article.
Spring Roof Replacement
After the harsh winter and inclement weather has passed in your region it’s always a good idea to inspect your roof for damage. The season change is the perfect time for roof replacement because your roof can be repaired easily and without interruption.
Spring is the perfect season to replace your roof because there are clear skies and sunny days. There are many optimal days when your roofing work can be completed.
Many homeowners start to notice signs of potential damage during the spring as the snow begins to melt away. Most roofing contractors have availability during this time to complete repairs.
If you need roofing repairs or a new roof it is a good idea to book your service before the summer when many experienced roofers are fully booked.
Inspect Your Roof for Damage
The first step involves a roofing inspection. As the saying goes, out of sight out of mind. This holds true for roof maintenance. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends homeowners perform simple roof check-up every spring and fall.
This can help your roof be prepared for the long, harsh summer season that is just around the corner. It’s a good idea for a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof.
Roofing contractors can spot issues and places that need to be fixed quickly because they have roofing experience that most homeowners do not have.
Now is a good time to review your home improvement records to see how long ago your roof was repaired or replaced. Knowing when your roof was installed will give you a good estimate as to how much time your current roof has left.
A typical asphalt shingle roof should last between 20 to 25 years. If you installed an existing layer of shingles over a layer of shingles, you need to replace these shingles every 15 years.
However, if you do decide to inspect your roof on your own, we have some important tips for you to follow. Keep reading to learn how to spot roof damage.
Signs of a Damaged Roof
When inspecting your roof the first place to start isn’t the exterior but inside your attic. Grab a flashlight and climb up to the attic. Be on the lookout for beams of light coming in through the top of the house. If you see stains or streaks it could be a sign of water damage from a potential leak.
Next, climb onto your roof to inspect the shingles. Keep an eye on your roof to ensure it’s still in tip-top shape. It may be a good idea to perform a mini inspection after a large storm.
Your shingles should lie flat. Buckling, curling, or cracked shingles are all signs of roof damage. When you see misshapen shingles, you know it is time for a roof repair.
Check your gutters and downspouts for pieces of shingles or tiny shingle granules. If your roof is losing a lot of granules it could mean that your roof is nearing the end of its life.
On the other hand, if your shingles appear droopy or saggy it could be a sign of rot. A rotted roof needs to be replaced before the rot continues to spread. Trapped moisture and rotting boards are especially common in the lowest points of your roof.
Moss and fungi are also signs of trapped moisture. If you spot rotted sections of your roof, you need to call a roofing contractor right away.
Use a flashlight around vents and skylights to make sure the seals are still properly sealed. You want to make sure there are no points of entry that water can use to get inside your home. Cracks or breaks – even small ones – can lead to leaks in your roof.
When to Call the Professionals
If you notice any of the above roofing concerns when you are performing your DIY roof inspection, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call a professional right away to come out and assess the damage.
Make sure you hire a professional roofing contractor who has a permanent place of business, a telephone number, a tax identification number, and insurance. Check your contractor’s references before hiring them for the job and see what past customers say about working with them online.
Be sure to ask your contractor about the material and workmanship warranties they provide and keep a copy of all the paperwork they give you in case you have any problems with your roof after it has been fixed.
A professional roofing contractor can help you:
- Determine if you need more insulation
- Explain how roof maintenance will save on your energy bill
- Teach you about new roofing technologies that are available
Just because you have a few damaged shingles or a leak doesn’t mean you will need an entirely new roof. So, don’t put off calling a professional because you are afraid of what it might cost.
If your roof was properly installed and is younger than 20 or 15 yeast you can probably get by making a few repairs instead of replacing the entire roof.
Don’t Let a Small Problem Become Bigger
When in doubt it’s a good idea to call a professional roofing contractor. Spring Roof Replacement is another way that homeowners can keep up with the maintenance on their homes and keep their homes beautiful for years to come.
Heins Contracting is Southwestern Wisconsin’s premier roofing company. Let one of our experienced roofing professionals come inspect your roof today and prepare you for spring.
Take a look at our services and give us a call today!
