Thursday, October 29, 2009

Replacing The Existing Roof

By Scott Rodgers

For homeowners, a new roof is probably one of the largest home maintenance expenses you will experience. So, how do you know if you really need a new roof? There are several signs you can look for in determining whether or not that time has come.

The most obvious sign of roof failure is continuous and growing leaks. Less obvious, but just as incriminating, are changes in the texture or color of your shingles. If you have asphalt shingles, a sure sign of failure, is edges that are curling and becoming brittle. New shingles are pliable and bend to a degree.

If the color of your roof is fading, it can be an indication of some problem, so inspect your roof properly and according take the necessary steps. The climatic conditions of the area is another big factor that determines the life of a roof.

Another indication of roof failure is, collection of debris or asphalt particles in large amount around the house or on the roof. You can find this while cleaning roof gutters.

Now a days if you want to keep your home warm, you have to spend a good amount of money which can be seen in the electricity bills. So many people now insulate their homes properly, keep their windows close and keep the thermostat a little lower than normal so as to keep a check on the bills.

But, do you know that maximum amount of heat escapes through the roof of the house So, if your roof is in a poor condition and has to be replaced, do not delay otherwise you can be sure your heating costs will increase. If the roof is replaced on time you can save a lot of your money specially in winters.

The life of a shingled roof can vary from 15 to 25 years depending on climate, shingle color, weight of the shingle, pitch of the roof, and on the attic ventilation arrangements.

It is always recommended to go for reputed roofing companies and get at least three bids from the roofing contractors so that you can compare them properly. Never keep price as the deciding factor when it comes to roof replacement as the cheapest bid may not always the best.

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