When should I replace a roof in Ocean County?
Have you been thinking about your roof over the last several days and have begun to wonder when you need to replace your roof? The best time to replace a roof will be different for many people depending on your situation, roofing materials and condition of the home. For example if you have a metal roof that is 20 years old you shouldn't have to replace it for another 50 years since they tend to last over 70 years. However if your asphalt shingle roof is 18 years old you have a 20 year shingle roof then it may be time to look into getting a roof replacement near Ocean County if you notice some of the signs that we will talk about in this article.
The majority of residential homes in Ocean County use asphalt shingles or some variation of asphalt shingles. Depending on the quality of the shingle this means that your roof will last between 15-25 years at most. Common grade shingles (which tend to be the cheapest) only last for about 15 years while premium architectural shingles can last for more than 30 years in some cases. Since each type of roofing material has a different lifespan it is hard for us to determine when you should replace your roof in this article. Here are some common signs that may indicate your roof needs to be replaced and installed with a new one.
Broken or Curling shingles
Curling and broken shingles are an easy sign you can see that the roof is beginning to near the end of its lifespan. Shingles become brittle and curl over time since they are exposed to the elements literally 24/7. When the shingles begin to break apart you will begin to see small pieces in the gutters, yard and driveway when there is a wind storm that comes through town. Brown shingles become an issue because it allows more passageways for moisture and heat to enter the attic. Under the shingles there will be a material called “underlayment” which attaches to the OSB boards that hold the shingles together. If the shingles break then it exposes the OSB board to the elements which will almost always cause some kind of leak and water damage at the home. You should easily be able to see broken shingles from the yard or sidewalk at your home, though it is never a bad idea to get on the roof and look at them up close.
Dips and bows in the roof
Roof’s are supposed to be strong and flat (not talking about the angel of the roof). Even when your roof is angled it should be a flat surface, when it begins to bow or dip then this is an easy sign that there is a problem under the shingles. A bow or dip in the roof usually is a clear sign that there is severe water damage or structural damage to the OSB boards or support joists. A weak roof will not support the weight of all the shingles and can lead to structural problems and leaks over time (if it is not already leaking). A bow or dip can happen from things such as broken OSB boards, damage in a wind storm due to a tree branch or water damage. Whatever the cause of the dip it is important to repair the damaged areas as soon as possible. If you can visibly see dips or valleys in the roof then it is a good idea to call our roofing contractors in Ocean County to get an inspection and roof replacement if needed.
Worn sealants and flashing
Flashing is a material that goes around things such as pipe boots, skylights, chimneys and air vents. It is the barrier that keeps water from getting inside the shingles, if the flashing has become worn through the years or damaged due to a storm it will need to be replaced. If the flashing and sealants are not protecting the roof this opens up the possibility of water damage to the OSB boards and other structural supports within the roof. Most homeowners choose to hire a roofing contractor near Ocean County to inspect the flashing since they are unfamiliar with the material and how they function. Our Ocean County roofers are more than ready to help come inspect the roof to determine if it needs replaced or repaired.
The final sign we will discuss in the article that your roof needs to be replaced is when you begin to see large stains going down the roof. This will be caused by things such as swamp coolers or just common aging over the years. If you notice missing sections of shingles on the roof then this is also a very obvious sign that the roof needs some work done. Our local roofing company in Ocean County has helped provide roof inspections for many families and businesses. Call us today to get your roof inspection and an estimate if a roof replacement is advised.
The majority of residential homes in Ocean County use asphalt shingles or some variation of asphalt shingles. Depending on the quality of the shingle this means that your roof will last between 15-25 years at most. Common grade shingles (which tend to be the cheapest) only last for about 15 years while premium architectural shingles can last for more than 30 years in some cases. Since each type of roofing material has a different lifespan it is hard for us to determine when you should replace your roof in this article. Here are some common signs that may indicate your roof needs to be replaced and installed with a new one.
Broken or Curling shingles
Curling and broken shingles are an easy sign you can see that the roof is beginning to near the end of its lifespan. Shingles become brittle and curl over time since they are exposed to the elements literally 24/7. When the shingles begin to break apart you will begin to see small pieces in the gutters, yard and driveway when there is a wind storm that comes through town. Brown shingles become an issue because it allows more passageways for moisture and heat to enter the attic. Under the shingles there will be a material called “underlayment” which attaches to the OSB boards that hold the shingles together. If the shingles break then it exposes the OSB board to the elements which will almost always cause some kind of leak and water damage at the home. You should easily be able to see broken shingles from the yard or sidewalk at your home, though it is never a bad idea to get on the roof and look at them up close.
Dips and bows in the roof
Roof’s are supposed to be strong and flat (not talking about the angel of the roof). Even when your roof is angled it should be a flat surface, when it begins to bow or dip then this is an easy sign that there is a problem under the shingles. A bow or dip in the roof usually is a clear sign that there is severe water damage or structural damage to the OSB boards or support joists. A weak roof will not support the weight of all the shingles and can lead to structural problems and leaks over time (if it is not already leaking). A bow or dip can happen from things such as broken OSB boards, damage in a wind storm due to a tree branch or water damage. Whatever the cause of the dip it is important to repair the damaged areas as soon as possible. If you can visibly see dips or valleys in the roof then it is a good idea to call our roofing contractors in Ocean County to get an inspection and roof replacement if needed.
Worn sealants and flashing
Flashing is a material that goes around things such as pipe boots, skylights, chimneys and air vents. It is the barrier that keeps water from getting inside the shingles, if the flashing has become worn through the years or damaged due to a storm it will need to be replaced. If the flashing and sealants are not protecting the roof this opens up the possibility of water damage to the OSB boards and other structural supports within the roof. Most homeowners choose to hire a roofing contractor near Ocean County to inspect the flashing since they are unfamiliar with the material and how they function. Our Ocean County roofers are more than ready to help come inspect the roof to determine if it needs replaced or repaired.
The final sign we will discuss in the article that your roof needs to be replaced is when you begin to see large stains going down the roof. This will be caused by things such as swamp coolers or just common aging over the years. If you notice missing sections of shingles on the roof then this is also a very obvious sign that the roof needs some work done. Our local roofing company in Ocean County has helped provide roof inspections for many families and businesses. Call us today to get your roof inspection and an estimate if a roof replacement is advised.