If it’s been a while since you’ve been on your roof, you may want to take a look at it or have a professional do an inspection. Many homeowners never pay attention to their roof until they need to file a claim with their home insurance company for damage. There are even times when they aren’t aware of damage until they have problems inside the house.
Signs You Need a New Roof
One of the most common indications you need a new roof is if your current one is old. If it’s between 20 and 30 years old, it’s probably time to replace. You’ll start having more issues if it’s made of asphalt shingles as they will loosen and blow away in the wind. Now, if you have another type of roof, it may last longer. Metal roofs can last for 50 years or more.
If the flashing around your chimney is made of tar, it may be ready to be replaced with a metal system. If you find granules from the shingles in your gutters, it’s a sign they are getting weak. Buckled shingles are another indication. Water in your attic means it’s time to get a new roof.
When Your Home Insurance Pays
If you’ve had damage to your roof from wind, hail or other covered incidents, you can turn it into your home insurance company for coverage. Check your policy on your home insurance in Salt Lake City to find out what type of coverage you have.
On the other hand, if the roof is just getting old and needs to be replaced, you may need to pay for it out of pocket. However, you shouldn’t assume this is the case if you don’t inspect your roof regularly. You may have damage from an old storm that was never reported and which can be turned into your insurance company.
Roof replacement can be quite expensive, so it’s a good idea to have your insurance adjustor do an inspection if you think there has been damage from a storm.
Protect Your Roof
Whether your roof is old or brand-new, you want to protect it from weather damage. Trim trees that have limbs overhanging on to the roof. Clean out gutters regularly so the water doesn’t back up onto the roof and cause damage. Remove any snow, especially if you get a heavy one. The weight will put pressure on the roof boards and can cause them to sag.
Have your roof inspected by a professional at least once a year to ensure it’s still in good condition. Don’t make any repairs yourself if your roof is under warranty or you could end up voiding it.
The roof is one of the most expensive repairs on a house, but you can prevent many of those repairs by good maintenance. When it is time to replace it, make sure you get this task taken care of before other damage is the result from an old, worn-out roof.
