15 Points to Ponder

It's a fact, most roofs installed before1985 were only intended to last 15-20 years. What does this mean? Essentially, if your roof was installed more than 15 years ago, your roof may have passed it's Manufacturers Intended Lifespan. Simply put, your roof may be "on borrowed time." You may say "I don't need a new roof, it's not even leaking yet." But the fact is most people do not recognize the early warning signs of serious damage. Water does not have to be dripping on your head for it to be rotting away at your building's envelope. Look for these signs in and around your home.

The "chewed" edges of these shingles are a sure sign that damage is imminent.

Symptoms of Current Damage

Cracks in your plaster caused by swelling wood
Discoloration of wallpaper
Musty smell in attic
Repeated illness, fatigue, or colds due to inhaling mold spores
uneven roof surface when viewed from ground
Streaks on shingles
Paint missing on siding, especially near the roof
Splitting wood
Greenish tint on wood
Pieces of soffit falling out from under the roof's edge
Paint peeling on porch ceilings, soffit, walls, overhangs, etc.
Cracking siding
Moss or mold on roof
Gutters pulling out
Dark stains around nails on the underside of your roof as seen from inside your attic

Signs of future damage

Even if your roof is not showing these symptoms yet, the following is a list of indicators that damage is imminent.

Cracking or chipped shingles
Edges of shingles curling
Missing or torn shingles
Edges of roof having a "chewed" appearance
Cracked flashing cement
Pieces of shingles falling into gutters
"Bald spots" or black patches on individual shingles
Gravel the same color as the shingles at the gutter downspouts

Proper installation is crucial to roof longevity.

Time is of the Essence

It is important to remedy these situations as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. It is only a matter of time before a new roof is needed, whether you have one installed this season or the next, wouldn't it be nice to have the peace of mind of knowing your home is secure? This would be instead of worrying about whether or not your hardwood floors will be ruined by a severe storm tonight. Or, being surprised at finding your heirlooms soaked and destroyed by water intrusion. Do you have a piano? It would be ruined by humidity if the sounding board split across.

It's happened before. How expensive is a new roof? Really, the question is: how expensive is an old roof? If (or, when) your roof fails, many of your possessions will be ruined, your insurance policy may not cover your loss at all, and you will still need a new roof. Not to mention the fact that your structure will have suffered damage, and will retain the moisture a long, long time. This will allow mold & mildew to form and ruin many finishes.

There is a saying in the roofing industry "Everybody's roof leaks once!" This is because most people learn the hard way, and never forget how expensive an old roof can be. Your home may be exhibiting some of these symptoms. Please, set aside some time to investigate the matter yourself. The only thing you have to lose is a lot of grief. If we can answer any questions you might have, or show you how a properly installed roof can vastly improve the value of your home... and decrease maintenance expenses, feel free to contact us. We would be happy to examine your roof free of charge and explain your options.