Home ownership is a privilege and joy that many people work toward for their entire lives. But along with owning a home comes maintaining a home, whether it is something simple like keeping the lawn mowed or the windows cleaned. But every now and again, homes need larger repairs, hopefully none too major too often. And one area to be aware of is your roof because eventually, all roofs need replacing.

Roof Replacement for Vancouver’s 4 Seasons

One might think that because Vancouver has a mild climate, roofs outlast other parts of the world. But actually, Vancouver’s drastic change of seasons, from rainy and windy, to hot and dry, takes a toll on any roof.

Do A Roof Inspection

Summer is the best time for roof repairs and replacements, the long stretch of dry weather ensures that the job can be done at once and that home owners won’t have to be displaced. But it can be a daunting task to think about replacing a roof so it’s best to prepare in advance for it. The good news is you can do some on the ground inspections before you call in the professionals to see if it might be time for a roof replacement.

First, consider the age of your roof. If your house has had a new roof on and not sustained any major damage in the last few years, your roof probably has a lot of life left in it. If, on the other hand, your roof has given your house two decades of protection from the elements, it’s time to start thinking about a potential roof replacement soon. Experts agree that the average lifetime of a roof is 20-25 years so that should be a good indication of when you will need to replace your roof.

Look For Wear & Tear

Then, look for damage or wear and tear. Even if a roof if newer, you might live in a harsh environment where roofs need to be replaced more often than elsewhere. A worn out roof will have buckled and curved shingles, especially ones that receive direct sunlight. If you only notice a couple of shingles that appear worn, you might be able to get away with small repairs so it’s worth making note of them because it also might mean that your roof is nearing its end.

Next look to the valleys or low points in the roof. These are the places where water flows and they are very important to check. If the valleys of the roof are compromised at all, it could lead to a leak inside your home, which can cause a great deal of damage and stress. They are often the first part of the roof to go so if it looks like they are very worn, it might be time to replace the roof.

Shingle Inspection

If shingles are missing, that is another sign that your roof is on its way out. You can also be aware of the condition of the shingles by noticing if there are in increase in granules in the gutters after a rainfall. As shingles age, they begin to disintegrate and the granules will end up washing away. This is another sign that it might be time for a roof repair.

If you decide to (carefully) walk along your roof to give things a closer inspection, take time to notice how spongy the roof feels. If the roof seems bouncy, it could mean that the underlying decking is weakened from moisture and that rot is developing.

Now that you’ve got an idea of the condition of the roof, it might be time to call a professional in to do a proper inspection and tell you one way or another if it is time for a roof replacement. At Taves Roofing, we are happy to help with your roofing needs whether its a repair or a replacement.