Depending on the roofing material you choose, your roof could last you between 10-50 years! Of course, bad weather conditions and other problems can shorten your roof’s lifespan and make a full replacement necessary. Hopefully, you won’t need to replace everything too often, but it’s important to know the telltale signs of something going wrong.
Each type of roofing material has its pros and cons, so the signs of decay or damage will differ. It’s difficult to predict what can damage your roof so badly you need a full replacement. If you notice any of these warning signs on your own roof, it may be time to call a professional.
Heat or ventilation escaping through your roof can cause the shingles to warp or “cup”, ballooning outward and making them more vulnerable to damage. Meanwhile, if the corners of the shingles are curling upwards or the shingles themselves are cracking, rainwater can easily seep through your roof and damage your house. If you own a house with a shingled roof, keep an eye on it, especially during the hot summer months. Damaged or curling shingles will crack easily and make the damage worse.
The Neighbors Have New Roofs
If you notice your entire neighborhood is suddenly upgrading their rooftops too, consider asking around for the reasons. If everyone suddenly experienced roof damage from a bad thunderstorm, chances are your roof needs some work too. The damage might not be visible, but don’t assume you just got lucky. Have a professional assess your roof and tell you about any repairs you may need.
Mold or Algae Damage
In its early stages, mold or algae growth on your roof is easily washed off with the proper equipment. But not everyone catches the problem in time. Algae can eat away at your shingle granules and reduce your roof’s lifespan. Worse, the leaks and damage caused by algae can spread to the inside of your roof and damage your home. If you notice mold growth on your roof, don’t wait–schedule a professional roof cleaning immediately.
Shingled rooftops are particularly vulnerable to algae and mold growth, but this damaging condition can affect any type of roofing material. Keep your roof clean regardless of what material you choose.
Protecting Your Houston Home
A durable, well-maintained roof is your first line of defense against the elements. If you notice damage getting worse with time, don’t waste your money on a repair that will just have to be repeated later. A full replacement will guarantee you protection for a long time to come.
Wondering if your roof needs replacing? Connect with us to speak to our experts and let us see how we can help you.
Getting a new roof for your Houston home? It’s probably time to consider what material the builders will be using. In the Texas sun, the longer your roof will last, the less heat you’ll have to deal with inside your house.
When shopping for roofing materials, most people consider durability and cost to be the most important factors. But don’t forget about appearance! Your roof doesn’t have to be ugly. Between cost, appearance, and durability, three types of roofing materials have shown themselves to be the best choices for Houston homeowners:
Shingles
Metal roofing
Roof tiles
1) Shingles
Arguably the most commonly used roofing material today, shingles can be seen on thousands of Houston homes. Most shingles used on homes today are asphalt shingles, made of fiberglass covered in light-resistant, colorful asphalt. These types of shingles are widely popular in Houston due to their average 30-year lifespan, high wind and water resistance, and affordability. Just make sure to find high-quality asphalt shingles! In the Houston heat, a cheap shingle can crack and peel, exposing your roof to damage.
Some homeowners opt for wooden shingles instead. With proper treatment and maintenance, wooden shingles are surprisingly resistant to both water and fire. Just keep in mind that wooden shingle roofing costs more compared to asphalt, and some residential areas prone to fire won’t allow it.
Pro Tip: Poorly cleaned roof shingles can provide a perfect place for algae to grow. Don’t let algae eat away at your roof and create leaks! Call a professional cleaning service to keep your roof algae-free.
2) Metal Roofing
With modern improvements, metal roofing has retained its high durability while improving its appearance. Metal rooftops are now available in colors or patterns to mimic more conventional rooftops. These roofs can also be installed in large sheets instead of hundreds of small tiles, creating fewer cracks to rain to seep through. Just remember that this is also by far the most expensive option for Houston homeowners. The higher cost of a metal roof is usually negligible compared to its long lifespan, but emergency repairs can cost you more than just replacing a few shingles.
3) Roof Tiles
Tiles, ranging from clay or slate to even solar panels, also appear frequently on Houston rooftops. A tiled roof has significantly more curb appeal than most shingles or metal roofing, in addition to easily keeping out the Texas heat. Plus, tiles of any kind easily resist fire, insects, and water leakage. They’re certainly a fantastic choice!
Of course, any roofing style has its disadvantages. The durable nature of tiles makes them very thick and heavy, so roof installation or repairs can be a chore. They can also break if a homeowner walks on the roof, requiring further work. The best way to maintain a tile rooftop is to hire professionals to do the installation and prevent additional maintenance work for a long time to come.
A Long-Lasting Houston Roof
While appearance is certainly important to homeowners, most Houston residents give more attention to keeping out the sun and rain and cultivating a long lifespan for their roof. Texas homes are particularly vulnerable to heat and direct sunlight for most of the year. Consider how much sun your house gets every day and research different roofing types to find the best option for you.
Still not sure what the best choice is for your new roof? Connect with us to speak with our roofing experts and get started remodeling.
You cannot fully determine the amount of hail damage on a roof from the ground, however, there are some signs that a trained eye can point out and help determine if there may be more damage up top.
The presence of one or more of these may indicate a situation where the homeowner needs a full roof replacement instead of a simple roof repair.
Here are the key things to look for:
Dented gutters, gutter screens, or downspouts
This is not always the case, but many times, if a roof has significant hail damage up top, the gutters will have some impact damage. Be on the lookout for small impacts as well as heavy dents.
Damage to siding and windowsills/casings
You can also check the home’s siding and windowsills/casings for dents, dings or other signs of impact. If there’s significant damage to the roof, there will most likely be damage to these as well.
Damage to air conditioners or other outdoor items
As Mentioned previously, it’s important to check every area of the home for hail damage. In addition to offering a quick glance sign of further hail damage on the roof, a damaged air conditioner may qualify for insurance replacement.
Damage to decks or painted wood surfaces
Decks and other painted surfaces surrounding the home may have sustained hail damage. If you see chipped paint, it may be the result of hail impact.
The roof
Once you’re up on the roof, there are a few things to look for; chimneys, skylights, Vents, other features, and shingles need to be checked
Check out all the roof vents and pipe jacks to look for any damage. Look for dents, dings, chipped surfaces, etc.
The last, but most important thing to check is the shingles. Hail damage to roof shingles is what gets the roof replaced. You’ll never get a solid insurance claim without shingle damage. Hail damage to roof shingles can be very obvious or very difficult to uncover. It takes a trained eye to spot hail damage to roof shingles, so if you’re a homeowner and unsure, contact Royal Crown Roofing.
Hail damage can look like a few granules have come loose on the roof, There’s not necessarily a hole in the roof, you’d be surprised at the force it takes to knock the surface materials off of a shingle. When this is discovered, the integrity of the shingle has been compromised, and a water leak can develop over time. Even the smallest hail impact on a shingle can lead to a roof leak.
Now, you should have enough information to determine whether or not the home will need a roof replacement.
Here at Royal Crown Roofing we inspect and advise you on your best course of action, be it a small repair, a new roof or nothing at all, sometimes the damage can be superficial and require no work, that is why it is always best to call an expert if you’re unsure.
Call us today for a no obligation free inspection (844) 769-2514 or click the button below to be taken to our contact form and we will be in touch.
Choosing a roofing color can sometimes be hard when you don’t have the images in front of you, Our trusted supplier GAF has an app for that.Take a look at the short video we have shared courtesy of GAF, this gives a slight insight into what color you may wish to have on your roof
Here at Royal Crown Roofing we are dedicated to making you happy with your roofing needs.
Call us today for a no obligation free inspection (844) 769-2514 or click the button below to be taken to our contact form and we will be in touch.
After a strong storm or wind-driven rain, take a look in the attic for signs of a leak. It could indicate damaged shingles, inadequate underlayment or deteriorated flashing.
Blistering or peeling interior or exterior paint?
Moisture trapped in the house due to poor ventilation can cause exterior paint to peel and blister.
Stains on interior ceilings and walls – mold or mildew growth?
Stains, or worse, mold, can be caused by leaks from outside the house or moisture trapped inside.
Exterior decay in sheathing and/or siding?
Excess moisture can also contribute to decay, when it first starts it gets rapidly worse
Missing, cracked, or curled shingles?
Dry, cracked, or easily broken shingles have reached the end of their useful life, and it’s time to invest in a new roof. It’s better to fix the problem sooner than later
Dark, “dirty-looking” areas on your roof?
Vegetation, fungus, mold, or algae growth can cause dark stains on your shingles.
Excessive energy costs?
Inadequate ventilation can possibly drive up your household cooling costs by trapping hot air in the attic. Attic moisture can also drip into your insulation, reducing its effectiveness.
If you notice anything which might be a leak, or your just not sure if it’s damaged or not, don’t wait till its to late, call us today at 844-ROYAL-14 or click here to be directed to our contact page
Inspect your roof carefully for the following signs that your roof may need attention:
Leaks in the attic after driving rain
Blistering and peeling of outside paint
Stains, mold, or mildew growth on interior ceilings and walls
Roof shingle, sheathing and/or siding decay
Missing, cracked, or curled shingles
If you notice anything which might be a leak, or your just not sure if it’s damaged or not, don’t wait till its to late, call us today at 844-ROYAL-14 or click here to be directed to our contact page
