A good roof is one of the most important parts of a house when living in a turbulent climate like the Black Hills. It sees a myriad of extreme weather every year, for years on end. This means roofs are more likely to become damaged over time. So, when do you know it’s finally time to bite the bullet and replace it? We’ll tell you the top 5 signs it’s time:
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1 - Missing or damaged shingles
When your shingles are missing or damaged, this is the biggest indicator that your roof needs some TLC. It’s one of the more common signs of damage since we see hail so often in Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills. Once the shingles become compromised, it can leave your roof exposed to other bad weather, increasing the risk of significant damage. It’s important that once you see curling or buckling shingles, it’s time to give us a call. We’ll give you a free consultation on the damage.
2 - The age of your roof
The older your roof gets, the more susceptible it becomes to damage. This is one of the more important things to keep in mind. If it’s older, your shingles are more likely to get damaged. Your roof will have a certain lifespan depending on what kind of material it’s made out of. Roofs made out of metal or stone can last up to 50 years, while wood lasts up to 30 years, and asphalt tiles only 20 years. If your roof is getting up there in age, give us a call and we’ll give you a free consultation on the status of your roof so you can sleep soundly.
3 - Sagging or cracked ceiling
A sagging ceiling is one of the more serious and unpredictable problems that can plague a roof. This can happen for a number of reasons – compromised structure from moisture, rot, or age. If it’s sagging, that means it can collapse at any time, causing serious injury or death to the inhabitants. If you notice your roof sagging, notify us immediately to have us come out and look at it. It’s better to take preventative measures and get it replaced before more significant damage occurs to not only the house, but to you or your family members.
4 - Plant growth
While plant growth would be ideal in most other home situations – it’s not ideal to see it on your roof. This might mean that the wood is rotted, therefore compromising the structural integrity if you ignore it for too long. If you notice greenery in the wrong part of the home – it’s better to give us a call and schedule a free consultation for us to come out and look at it.
5 - Rising energy bill
There’s a lot of different reasons why your energy bill could increase – change in weather, energy inefficient windows, bad insulation, and more. But if you don’t have any of these issues and your energy bill starts to increase, it’s time to look at the possibility of it being your roof. One of its functions is to help keep warm and cooling air from seeping out and into your home. If you’re unsure that this is the case but suspect it might be, we can help you determine for sure.