What Makes Old Roofs So Dangerous?
If you have an aging roof, then you should start thinking about replacing it soon. This is because old roofs have problems that you may not be able to fix by piecemeal repairs. Here are three examples of such problems:
Deteriorated Materials/Susceptibility to Damage
All roof materials, including shingles, timber, and the underlayment, deteriorate with age. Weathering (degradation due to weather elements) is mostly responsible for the damage. This means your roof will degrade with time even if you maintain it properly and it doesn't experience major damages.
Shingles aging, which may not even be visible at first, includes loss of granules, the appearance of minute cracks, and changes in the asphalt chemicals. All these things weaken the roof and make it susceptible to damage. This is why old roofs may not withstand hailstorms as well as relatively new roofs.
Cumulative Effects of Poor Maintenance and Small Damages
Even the best-maintained roofs do suffer some damage over time. Things like algae attacks and small leaks on the roof are not difficult to deal with. In fact, most roof problems you are likely to experience can easily be repaired by your local roofers.
However, the damage will be minimal if you maintain your roof well. Routine maintenance practices involve inspecting the roof for minor damages, keeping it free of debris that may encourage water leak and repairing minor problems as they teeth.
Missing one maintenance schedule may not result in an immediate, catastrophic problem. However, if you ignore these routine maintenance practices, then they may add up to serious problems over the years. Moreover, you can't keep on repairing your roof forever; there comes a time when the patching up just can't cut it anymore.
Difficulty with Insurance
Insurers know about all these problems and tend to be wary of insuring very old roofs; looking for insurance can be very difficult if your roof is old. If your roof is extremely old, then you shouldn't be surprised if your insurer doesn't want to renew your coverage. Most insurers will want your house to pass a roof inspection before your coverage can be renewed. Apart from that, you may also have to contend with actual cash value as compensation when your roof is damaged.
Considering all these problems, it's clear that roof replacement is important for extremely old roofs. Don't keep repairing your roof, especially if you rely on DIY repairs. An inspection from a professional roof contractor can help you know when it's time to replace the roof. Get in touch with a contractor from a business like K&R Roofing and Gutters if you have specific questions about the condition of your roof.