A home's roof is one of the critical things protecting it. While a new roof is an excellent investment, most folks aren't going to want to get into that kind of work until they have to. Consequently, every homeowner needs to know how to tell when it's time to contact a roofing services company.

The Age of the House

A house's age will provide one of the first clues about the potential state of the building's roof. If the house is over 20 years old, there's a good chance it may need a roof. That is especially true if it has a roof made of asphalt shingles because they tend to last between 15 to 50 years depending on the environmental conditions.

If you can't determine the age of the house or the last time it received a new roof, simply assume the worst. Ask a roofing services contractor to check the building out and give you an idea of what condition it's in.

Bear in mind that the house may not need a full-on new roof. If the underlying structure is in good shape, you may be able to do re-roofing. This is a process where a contractor puts a new layer of materials over the old one.

Visible Issues

Any issue you can see from the ground is almost certainly a problem for a roofing services professional. The issue might be something simple to address, such as a few missing shingles after a windstorm. However, you need to deal with the situation as soon as possible because unattended roofing problems will only get worse.

The bigger the affected area, the more likely the house will need a new roof. If the roof is saddlebacked, meaning there's a visible depression, that's likely a situation that will call for extensive work. A saddlebacked roof can collect water, ice, and debris. If you let it go too long, it can collapse and damage the entire house.

Damage Elsewhere

Not all signs of roofing trouble appear at the top of the house. A leaking roof could allow water to get into the walls. You might not see the problem until the water has stained through the walls' paint.

Similarly, the water can keep going until it hits the foundation. In this scenario, the water could get into the foundation, expand during cold weather, and cause cracks. If there's any evidence of foundation trouble, you should have a professional inspect the roof to be sure about the possible cause.

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