571-389-7500
571-389-7500
In Northern Virginia, your roof is subjected to wear and tear on a yearly basis. Even the best-installed roof has a limited life span, between storms passing through Fairfax County in the summer, ice dams in January, and consistent exposure to the ultraviolet rays May through September.
Understanding the indicators that it is time for a new roof can save you thousands of dollars in water damage, mold remediation and emergency repairs in the future. When it comes to roofing, most homeowners are only concerned when they see something is wrong. Here are some clues to keep in mind.
If you see two or three of these, you should get it professionally investigated. A competent roofing company will be able to determine if a repair will suffice or if a roof replacement is a better investment.
for asphalt shingles in Northern Virginia
With the exception of materials, installation and sun exposure, the average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof in Northern Virginia is 20 to 25 years. If your house was built in the early 2000s or earlier, you are in the timeframe when the issues begin to rapidly proliferate.
It is worth noting that roofs which are located in the south side of your home wear out sooner because they are exposed to the sun continually. In Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, many homes have roofs where one side is in worse condition than the other.
Take a stroll to your yard and view upward. If you can see shingles curling at the edges, crack in the middle, or missing altogether, that is an obvious indication you need a new roof, or at least a professional assessment.
Curling occurs when the base glue melts or breaks which is typically due to extended heat cycles. Cracking is an Age and Brittleness indicator. If you are continuously losing shingles, then the whole shingle layer may be nearing the end of its life.
The little sand like granules on your shingles are not there for show; they actually help to shield the asphalt layer from UV damage. As soon as the granules begin to fall from the shingles, the exposed asphalt deteriorates quickly.
If your roof has been in use for 10 years or more and you are noticing a large amount of granules, then it might be one of the easiest indicators that you need a new roof soon.
In some cases, the symptoms you notice you need a new roof are not on the exterior of your home. Water stains on the ceiling – the brownish-yellow rings that appear to multiply with every heavy rain – show that water is penetrating your roofing system.
On a sunny day, go into your attic with a flashlight. Pinpoints of daylight showing through the roof boards, or soft and spongy spots in the wood signal serious problems that require professional attention at once.
If the roof is sagging or dipping, particularly along the ridgeline, it is not a shingle issue. Sagging means the decking underneath is damaged due to moisture or structural supports have weakened. A sagging roof is a safety issue and needs to be checked out right away.
Your roof directly impacts your home energy efficiency. As a roof starts to fail, you lose that thermal barrier – hot air creeps in during summer and heat escapes in winter. If your energy bills have been steadily rising but your HVAC checks out fine, your roof may be to blame.
Your home is probably one of your greatest investments and your roof is what safeguards everything beneath it. If you are a homeowner in Northern Virginia and you are noticing any of these warning signs, do not discount them.
For over 30 years, Nations Choice Exteriors has served Northern Virginia with their roofing needs. We are a GAF Certified Weather Stopper Contractor, have a BBB A+ rating, and are an Angi Super Service Award recipient.
Looking for complete roofing services in Northern Virginia? Learn more about our full range of solutions.