A roof is an invaluable part of a home, offering protection from weather elements and keeping your family warm and safe. Over the years, your roof experiences wear and tear and may need replacement. Also, damage by inclement weather and termites, and poor installation may necessitate a new roof. Learn the telltale signs you need a new roof for your home.

Age

Although a roof’s lifespan depends on various factors such as roofing material, installation, local climate, and maintenance, most roofs last for between 15 and 50 years. An asphalt shingles roof, for instance, can serve you for 15 to 30 years.

You should consider purchasing a new roof if your roof is nearing its average lifespan. Check your records to see when the roof was installed to determine when it’s due for replacement. Roofs that are more than 20 years old are usually good candidates for replacement.

Has the time finally come to replace the roofing material on your home? If so, you will want to be well informed on how to maintain your new roof over the years to help it last as long as possible. The amount of maintenance necessary may even influence your decision about what kind of roof you want, which is why you will want to know the following tips for maintaining these five types of roofing materials.

Asphalt

A big part of having a home with asphalt shingles is simply keeping an eye on them over the years for damage. For example, you will want to take a look in the gutters when you clean them in the spring and look for granules along the bottom of the gutters. This means that they have come off the surface of the shingles, which is likely due to strong winds or a hailstorm. Also, you may need to replace shingles that look particularly bad.

Most roofs last for years, but eventually, they’re going to wear out and need to be replaced. How do you know if it’s time to replace your roof or if you can just get it repaired? A professional is the best person to make that determination, but there are some things you can consider. Finding shingles in your yard is one sign that you need to replace the roof.

Has It Stormed Recently?

Sometimes, bad weather causes damage to a roof that seemed to be holding up fine before the storm arrived. High winds and heavy rains can cause things to change quickly, and if the roof is older, it may end up with unexpected problems that need correction. Finding shingles – or pieces of them – in the yard after a strong storm could mean it’s time for roof replacement. A strong roof that’s in good health shouldn’t be coming apart.

Spring is a beautiful time of the year when everything is new again. It’s also a great time to spot problems with your home. If you aren’t maintaining your home properly, you might have problems in the form of roof leaks, insect invasions, and other issues.

Read on for some home maintenance tasks to tackle this spring.

1. Clean and Inspect Your Gutters

Be sure to clean and inspect your gutters this spring. Leaves, twigs, tree buds, and other debris can all accumulate in your gutters. If you don’t clean them out, they may eventually clog your gutters. Then the rainwater won’t drain properly and your gutters will overflow.

An overflowing gutter can eventually soak into your roof, soffit, and fascia. This moisture can rot the wood in your roof and leave you with water damage inside your home. Water damage to your home can then cause mold or mildew to grow, which can lead to health issues for you and your family.

Whether your home came with a skylight or you want to install one, the beauty of natural light and a window into the sky make it a marvelous addition to your house. If you have one or plan to get one, though, you’ll need to take care of it to keep it pristine and pretty. Use these tips to keep your skylight looking its best, so you can enjoy the light it brings all year.

Installation Precautions

The type of material that makes up your roof can affect your skylight, so you’ll have to keep an eye on it from the beginning. If the material tends to split or break, allowing ice or water to enter, you should repair it as soon as possible before it gets too close to your skylight. Your builders should be aware of the possibility of moisture and the danger it poses, though, so don’t worry too much about keeping them in line.

More people today have an interest in sustainable living than before. With advances in building technology, sustainable living has become a more practical and affordable concept. As a homeowner, you have multiple ways to upgrade your home and make it more sustainable. An upgrade to your roof is one such idea, though it’s often overlooked in green home improvements.

A sustainable roof is more durable, energy-efficient and safer and requires minimal maintenance. Sustainable roof systems use renewable materials such as wood shingles and shakes, slate, tile, and synthetic materials.

For many years, wood was the primary type of roofing used on homes. The material was accessible, affordable, and effective at a time when commercial products were not readily available. While the average homeowner these days has a lot of roofing choices, wooden roofing still serves as an attractive and preferable option for many.

Whether you plan to build a new home and need to consider roofing options or are looking for a suitable roof replacement, wood roofing may be worth your consideration. But first, take a look at a few common questions about wood roofing.

If you live in the northern regions of the US, you’re probably used to ice and snow and all of the issues they can cause. Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or someone otherwise responsible for a building, you’ll need to make sure you keep up to date with repairs and handle problems as soon as they arise — especially if those issues have to do with the roof.

Today, take a look at what potential roof problems you’ll have in the winter, when to handle them yourself, and when to call in an expert roofer to take care of things for you.

When money is tight and you have time on your hands, you may think you’ll be better off fixing problems around the house on your own rather than paying for a professional to come in and do the job for you. While some fixes can be simple enough that even an amateur would have no issues, you’ll want to call in a pro for most roofing repairs and replacements for a few simple reasons.

1. Expertise

No matter how much of a repairperson you may be, the roof of your home is likely not where you spend most of your time. Different dangers and risks come with working on the roof, and if you’re not used to the slope or height of your house, you may experience some trouble with the repairs you need to do.

Also Serving Barrington, Crystal Lake, IL, and all of Northern Illinois

Are you looking for a reliable roof repair contractor in Northern Illinois? For over 40 years, Jerry Newman Roofing & Remodeling Inc has been serving the residents of Barrington, IL; Marengo, IL; and the surrounding areas to provide for their roofing needs. We are reliable, efficient, and professional. We use our experience and expertise to provide you with roofing solutions that meet your specific needs.