Replacing the roof on your Indianapolis, IN home is a major undertaking. Not only is this a costly home improvement, but it can also be inconvenient. Depending upon the size of roofs, the type of materials applied, and other factors, these projects can take two to 12 days to complete. Fortunately, not all roofing damage requires roof replacement. The following can help you determine whether you need a simple repair instead.
The Age of Your Roof
Age is the first and most important factor to consider when deciding between roof replacement and repair. As roofs near the ends of their lifespans, they often require frequent repairs. Fixing a minor to moderate roof leak today might restore your roof’s protective abilities, but you may need additional repairs as soon as the next storm rolls in.
Asphalt shingle roofs have an average lifespan of 25 years, but certain factors could cause them to fail after just 15 to 20 years:
- Ice damming
- Frequent exposure to extreme weather
- Rooftop pests
- Poor ventilation
- Insufficient maintenance
Three-tab shingles have slightly shorter lifespans and might fail after just 15 to 20 years, especially when any of these factors are in play.
Slate, metal, and clay tile roofs can last many decades. Copper roofs can last a full century when properly installed, and slate tiles can last 50 to 150 years. The best way to know your roof’s remaining lifespan is by scheduling a roof inspection. Our roofers can tell you how long your roof should last based upon its design and materials and how long it’s likely to last based upon the local weather, past maintenance, and installation-related concerns.
Layered Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the top choice in roofing materials throughout the nation. They have a fairly long lifespan, and they’re affordable. However, when it comes time to replace these roofs, some homeowners simply add another layer of shingle on top of their existing ones. This is a low-cost alternative to a full roof replacement, and although it has multiple drawbacks, adding a second set of shingles to a roof is code-compliant.
If you purchased existing construction, you’ll need to find out whether the homeowner before you has already leveraged this technique. While two layers of shingles are code-compliant, three layers are not, even if roofers add shingles to small, confined areas during repairs.
With an already layered roof, a full tear-down and replacement is the best choice. This lightens the roof and relieves stress on load-bearing elements. It also allows for better ventilation and improved roof aesthetics.
Your Long-Term Plans for Your Home
If you intend to sell your home within the next five to 10 years, replacing your roof will add to its marketability and value. It will also make it easier for your roof to pass lender-required inspections. This is especially true if your roof has multiple layers of shingles or other issues that don’t adhere to local building codes.
Home Efficiency Concerns
Having a new roof installed may be the best choice if your home is inefficient and challenging to heat or cool. If your old roof takes in and sheds lots of heat throughout the year, repairing minor damage won’t solve the problem. An all-new roof paired with quality attic insulation will tighten your home’s envelope, lower your carbon footprint, and allow for manageable energy bills.
Leak-Related Building Damage
Residential roofs are multi-layer systems. If you have water damage in your home, each of your roof’s layers has likely failed. Visible water damage in the building interior could mean that it’s time for a new roof. This is particularly true if the water damage is:
- Present in multiple areas
- Extensive
- Affecting key structural elements
Warped beams and damage at other rough framing elements could mean that your roof is no longer able to offer even the most basic protection.
Recurring Mold and Mildew Problems
Ongoing problems with mold and mildew and extreme difficulty in treating them usually mean that there’s an unchecked leak in the home. If you’ve already scheduled leak detection service and your plumber hasn’t found any ruptured or leaky pipes, the most likely culprit is your roof. Replacing a roof that’s constantly adding humidity to your air will improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) and make your entire home more comfortable and safe.
Perpetually Wet Attic Insulation
Attic insulation loses more than half of its insulating abilities when wet. Check your attic for visible moisture, mold, and high humidity. Your roofer may be able to resolve the problem with a simple repair, but you’ll get the best results by additionally replacing wet insulation.
Stained Ceilings and Blistered, Peeling Paint
If you have stained ceilings and blistered, peeling paint on the upper portions of your walls, you can safely assume that your attic insulation is wet also. To enter the interior of your home, water must transgress your roof’s:
- Shingles
- Moisture barrier/Water and ice barrier
- Underlayment
- Rough framing
Sometimes moisture makes its way into buildings even when shingles, moisture barriers, and underlayment remain relatively dry and intact. These leaks typically occur at roofs’ protrusions where exhaust vents, skylights, and chimneys protrude through roofs. These elements are protected by a thin layer of metal called flashing. When flashing bends, tears, or gets pulled back by strong winds, water has a direct point of ingress. Although minor flashing damage calls for a roof repair, severe water damage at flashed elements could warrant replacement.
Common Signs of Roofing Failure
Several problems make roof replacement the better choice in almost all instances. These issues indicate advanced wear and may prove more costly to fix than a timely roof replacement.
Wood Rot and Warped Framing
When your roof’s underlying substrate is warped or bowed, roof damages are too extreme for repair. This advanced level of deterioration is usually detectable underfoot. If there are areas of your roof that are springy and soft, the wood framing that supports your roof needs replacement.
Shingle Granule Loss
Asphalt shingles have a protective outer layer of granules. This dark, pebble-like coating plays a hand in directing runoff toward downspouts and gutters. It also offers UV protection.
As asphalt shingles age, they often lose their granules. You might find these at the base of your downspouts or in your gutters, or you may notice dark, patchy areas on your roof when viewing it from the curb.
Shingle granule loss doesn’t just mean that your roof has lost its UV protection and its ability to effectively route water toward your drainage systems. It also means that shingles are drying out and have lost much of their flexibility. Old, brittle shingles are more likely to crack, curl, and fall off when subjected to additional temperature fluctuations and temperature extremes.
Separation at the Roof’s Valleys
Roof valleys are where two sections of roofing meet. Valleys and protrusions are roofs’ most vulnerable areas. If there’s visible separation at your roof’s valleys, the only way to solve the problem with lasting results is by scheduling roof replacement.
We help homeowners in Indianapolis make informed decisions about their roofs. We offer top-notch residential and commercial roofing services. We also provide siding, gutters, windows, and painting services. For help deciding between roof replacement and roof repairs, get in touch with SPG Roofing & Exteriors today!
