Why a New Roof?

Shingles don't last forever. If yours are more than a decade old, climb up and take a look.

We tend to treat the roofs on our homes the way we treat the brakes on our cars: we ignore them until they are just about to fail, and then we rush to make long-overdue repairs.

How do you know when you need a new roof? Age alone is the biggest factor. An asphalt-shingled roof, which is the most popular kind in America, is likely to last an average of just 13 years, even if the shingles themselves are backed by 25-, 30- or sometimes a 40-year warranty.

KEY DANGER SIGNALS

• Attic Leakage in Wet, Rainy Climates
• Attic Leakage due to Ice Buildup
• Blistering/Peeling Paint
• Interior Stains
• Exterior Decay
• Cracking and Curling
• Dirty-Looking Areas
• Energy Costs

Leakage in attic after wind-driven rain Possible cause: Leaky or inadequate shingle underlayment or deteriorated flashing
Leakage in attic after ice build-up Possible cause: Inadequate shingle underlayment allows water from ice dams to leak into attic
Blistering and/or peeling of interior and/or exterior paint Possible cause: Excessive temperature or high humidity due to poor attic ventilation
Stains on interior ceilings and walls or mold and mildew growth Possible cause: Inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing leakage or inadequate ventilation
Decay of roof shingles, sheathing, and/or siding Possible cause: Poor attic ventilation
Missing, cracked or curled shingles Possible cause: Shingles have reached the end of their useful life
Dark, "dirty-looking" areas on your roof Possible cause: Environmental pollutants; vegetation, fungus or algae; loss of granules due to age of shingles
Excessive energy costs Possible cause: Insufficient attic ventilation causes heating/cooling system to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air c onditioning systems to work harder, or leaving your home's interior hotter and less comfortable. Attic Ventilation: In both hot and cold weather, insufficient attic ventilation may cause moisture in the attic to become trapped and condense on the rafters. This condensed moisture can drip down onto the insulation and reduce its effectiveness. Excessive energy costs can result.

To learn more about what to expect from a quality contractor, please read our Contractor Standards Guide Overview and request a copy of the complete Contractor Standards Guide.