5 Signs You Need a New Roof

All home improvements can feel overwhelming, but roof replacements tend to feel the most burdensome. Homeowners typically want to postpone the project for as long as possible to avoid the construction stress and expenses of a roof installation. If you want a hassle-free, quality roof replacement in Ashburn, Northern Virginia, our roofing contractors at NOVA Exteriors can help.

We understand that replacing your roof is a big decision, and we want to make the process as easy and pain-free as possible. Our roofing company handles roof repair and roof installation projects across Northern Virginia, so we know the tell-tale signs of beyond-repair damage, signifying replacements.

Below, we discuss the top five signs you should replace your roof.

1. Your Roof Is at the End of Its Lifespan

All types of roofs have estimated lifespan ranges, depending on your climate and how well you maintain the structure. Given Ashburn’s extreme summer humidity, winter snowfalls, and constant temperature fluctuations, you shouldn’t expect your roof to reach the top end of its expected range.

The estimated lifespans for the most common roofing materials are as follows:

• Asphalt: 15 to 30 years
• Composite: 20 to 50 years
• Wood: 25 to 30 years in wetter climates, like Ashburn
• Metal (aluminum or steel): 40 to 80 years
• Copper: 70+ years
• Zinc: Approximately 100 years
• Clay or concrete: 50 to 100 years
• Slate: 60 to 200 years

If your roof is reaching its range, you should call a roofing company for an estimate, even if you don’t notice issues yet. Roof replacements without damage can cost you less.

For example, your contractor may recommend overlaying your existing roofing system with new tiles, shake, or shingles rather than replacing the entire thing. If the underlying components are still in good shape, overlaying replacements cost less and require shorter construction times.

2. The Shingles Appear Damaged

Visible damage is a critical signifier that your roof has issues. Even if your system isn’t old, various weather patterns or improper installation methods can cause shingles and flashing to suffer damage early on. If you notice the damages below, you should contact a contractor to examine the system as soon as possible before the damages develop into costly leaks.

Shingle Damage

You may notice cracked, burled, buckled, blistered, or missing shingles on asphalt or wooden roofs. Slate, concrete, clay, metal, and other materials may show thin, cracked, worn, or dented areas. Such appearances signify severe roof wear and potential underlying damage, such as trapped heat and moisture.

Flashing Damage

The roof flashing is the seams where different panels of your roof meet, creating angled lines. Flashing is typically a water-tight aluminum or metal material that diverts water down the roof so it doesn’t get stuck in all the cracks and crevices. You likely have flashing between each roofing angle and around any structures, like the chimney.

Flashing damage can look like rusting or cracking. Compromised flashing can cause a roof leak. You must immediately contact a professional to prevent such costly damages.

3. The Roof Has Vegetation Growth

Vegetation growth may not always indicate a roof replacement in Ashburn, but you must resolve the problem before it escalates. Moss and fungi tend to grow in wetter, cooler climates without much direct sunlight. While vegetation growth may initially be a cosmetic issue, it can develop into much more severe complications.

Plants hold moisture against the roof’s surface. As winter comes, this moisture can freeze, causing your shingles to crack, blister, and suffer other damages. You can prevent this by removing any plant growth from the roofing system as soon as you notice it. 

We recommend using careful precautions when cleaning your roof. If you don’t feel comfortable using a ladder or putting weight on the shingles, call a professional contractor to resolve the issue for you.

4. The Entire System Sags

Roof sagging indicates that the underlying components, like the decking, suffered water damage. You can detect sagging by standing at the end of your driveway or on the street and looking for non-straight lines.

You can also use a ladder to access the roof and test to see if it feels bouncy, spongy, or not firm. We recommend testing these qualities with your hands first, as a sagging roof will not be safe to walk on. If you’re unsure, you should call a professional.

A compromised support structure can mean severe and expensive problems if not resolved quickly. Your roof must be able to protect your home, but if it’s collapsing from within, it won’t be able to do much good. We recommend seeking a roof replacement as soon as possible if you notice sagging.

5. You Notice Interior Issues

Roof damage isn’t always obvious, though you may discover various interior issues that signify problems. The top interior problems signifying the need for a roof replacement include increased energy bills and interior leaks.

Increased Energy Bills

As heat rises throughout your home, your attic and upstairs rooms must be able to release the hot air through the roof and outside of the system. Trapped heat from poor ventilation can cause shingle blistering, increased moisture, ice dams in the winter, and more.

Examining your energy bills is the best way to tell if you have a ventilation problem. A sudden or gradual increase in energy costs may indicate improper ventilation and trapped heat from roof complications.

Interior Leaks

Leaks are some of the most severe damages you can experience from a faulty roofing system. Interior leaks can compromise your personal belongings and your home’s entire structure and integrity. You can look for leaks by checking for stains on the ceilings and walls in upstairs rooms.

Do You Need a New Roof? Call NOVA Exteriors Today

If you need a roof replacement in Ashburn, contact NOVA Exteriors today. Our licensed, insured, experienced, and professional contractors can examine your system and help you determine the best route moving forward. Call NOVA Exteriors in Ashburn today at (703) 322-1500 or complete our online form to schedule an inspection.

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