12/28/2016
Our roofs are important to the structure of our homes but how often do we really pay attention to them? Roofs that have been in place for several years were sometimes installed with inferior materials, not installed properly or have just started to show their age. Sometime repairs can be made but in many situations a reroof is in order. Here are 5 ways to tell if your roof needs a reroof.
1. Missing Tabs or Blown Off Shingles
Missing tabs or blown off shingles could be caused by one of two reasons. First the shingles may not have been installed properly. If the shingles were nailed too high, the nails will miss the top of the shingle below. The second reason for shingles to blow off is caused by the tar lines on the shingle that are supposed to keep them sealed together break loose and allow them to hover during high winds. With either of these issues, shingles or tabs can be replaced but this tends to be an ongoing problem that gets worse with the age of the roof.
2. Brittle Shingles
As a roof ages the shingles dry out and become brittle. A good way to tell how much life is left in your roof is to lift a corner of a shingle. If it flexes easily and feels pliable the roof is in good shape. If it cracks or breaks it is probably time to start considering a new roof.
3. Granule Loss
Granule loss is typically the result of either heavy foot traffic on the roof or a poor quality of shingles having been installed. While shingles with heavy granule lose may continue to shed water for several years, the granules do serve a purpose. Not only do they keep the color of your roof looking bright but they also protect the asphalt and fiberglass in the shingles mat from breaking down due to UV rays.
4. Curling or Thickening of Shingles
Curling or shingles that appear to be getting thicker are typically an organic mat shingle. Organic shingles were manufactured by some companies in the early 90's through the mid 2000's and were supposed to be the latest and greatest but failed miserably. Depending on the quality of organic shingle that was installed you may qualify for a class action lawsuit. Some home owners have been able to collect anywhere from $1000-$2000 depending on the size of the roof.
5. Cracked or Damaged Shingles
Shingles can become cracked or damaged during ice removal. This damage is typically at the eves and in the valleys. Ice is caused by either a lack of insulation or a lack of ventilation in the attic or rafter space. Ice problems cannot be solved by simply installing ice and water shield and replacing shingles. However, there are several ways to alleviate these problems while reroofing including cutting in ridge vents, installing power vents, or installing a cold roof.
If your roof is showing some signs of needing a reroof get a quote today or call us at 231-263-8300. We are a Traverse City area roof replacement contractor and would love to give you a quote today.
