Signs Your Roof Is Beyond Repair

Your roof is your home’s primary defense to the elements. Early detection of problem areas might save you a lot of hassle while replacing roofs. Replacing or repairing roofs is one of the trickiest decisions that you will have to make. This blog aims to assist you in identifying signs that your roof is beyond repair:

1.     The Roofs Age

Age factor is the most obvious signs through which you can determine whether the roof replacement has become mandatory. The average life of an asphalt shingle roof is between 16 to 18 years, so if your roof as crossed this limit or is more than 20 years old, chances are that any damages that may arise may not be worth to repair, rather due to the roofs age it may be more cost effective to just replace the entire roof.

2.     Buckling and Curling Shingles

Curling and buckling shingles are clear signs that the roof is weather-beaten, whether the middle portion of the shingles has begun to come up or the edges have started to curl upwards The extent of curling will determine how soon the roof needs to be replaced.

3.     Shingle Granules in the Gutters

Should you really worry about discovering granules in the gutter after installing a new roof recently? Well, no, not necessarily. However, if the roof is old and you peep inside the gutters only to find a lot of granules in there, then it means that the roof has completed its half-life. You might wonder why granules play an active role in roof replacement. This is because granules protect the asphalt from the sun and after the granules have fallen, the quality of your shingles will deteriorate.

4.     Glistening Rays in the Attic

If you observe light penetrating from the loose roof boards in the attic, it is a clear indication that the underlayment has become weak. Ultimately, other natural elements like rain water and cold drafts can also filter through. However, whether you need a roof replacement or not, is largely dependent upon the extent of damage caused. If the roof is really old and there are large structural damages, it is obvious that the roof is beyond repair.  

5.     Shingles Gone Missing

Shingles missing from the rooftops suggests a failing roof. Roof valleys are crucial areas as rain water flows from the valleys in the gutters. If there are shingles missing from this area specifically, it is a clear indication that roof is beyond repair and your house is vulnerable to leaks.

If you are unsure as to whether to repair or replace your roof it is important to consult with a licensed Jacksonville roofing contractor. At White’s Roofing we specialize in roof repair, roof replacement and roof inspections. If you have an old roof we will inspect your roof and provide you with an honest assessment as to the best course of action to take. Call us today for your free consultation (904) 220-5546.

 

The Importance of a Roof Inspection

Your homes primary defense against harsh environmental conditions like windstorms, hail, excessive heat, rains and falling tree limbs is a quality roof. But it gets vulnerable due to constant exposure to these harsh conditions. As it is not easy to scrutinize the roof’s condition by simply walking around the yard, you may  be unaware to the deterioration of your roof. In order to avoid spending exorbitant sums of money on fixing a damage you could’ve prevented, it is important to carry out a roof inspection.

When to Inspect House Roofs?

You should inspect your home’s roof at least twice a year, that is, in spring and in fall. Such biannual inspections will reduce the costs incurred on long term repairs. Also many Jacksonville roofing contractors provide roof inspection services, which will cover any damages incurred during your contract with that contractor.

Inspection Reports Unsafe Condition

Even if the roofing material is extremely durable, it is imperative to have a roofing inspection done as it will help to thwart structural damages from occurring. So, a detailed inspection will reveal any unsafe conditions that your house is exposed to and save you from potential systemic failure in due time.

Identification of Leakages

An inspection will help to identify any signs of roof leaks and help prevent potential seepage issues. No matter how minor the leak, they should never be taken lightly. Water and moisture that gets a chance to seep through the building can cause severe damage to the house. If there are any visible signs of moisture or dripping water from the ceiling, there is a great probability that it is caused by the damage to the roof. A roof inspection can help you spot points of entry and damaged or weak shingles which could become a problem in the near future.

Expands the Service Life of the Roof

After the installation of the roof, the only mechanism to extend its life is to carry out a regular, thorough inspection. There are other problems that can be incurred on roofs other than leaks and they can be identified by a detailed inspection. The detection will help you to carry out the necessary repair and maintenance work, which will eventually extend the life of your roof.

Detect Small Problems Early, Avoid Costly Repairs Later

A full inspection will reveal to the homeowner about small and major problems alike such as:

·         Shingle and chimney problems

·         Flashing gaps of the dormers and eaves

·         Signs of mold and rot

·         Ventilation and insulation issues

·         Points of Entry for moisture

An inspection will detect loose, rotting, missing or buckling shingles and improper flashing which makes the roof susceptible to mold, high winds and water intrusion. If these failure symptoms are not identified in time, damage to the structure may increase and as a consequence, you might be trapped into making the most costly of upgrades possible. You can reduce the lifecycle costs of a roof considerably by regular inspections. Just a little preventive maintenance by conducting regular roof inspections is an investment that will prevent you from making costly repairs later on.

If you are in need of roof inspections in Jacksonville, call White’s Roofing today (904) 220-5546.

What is Florida’s Building Code 25% Roof Replacement Rule?

There are a lot of misconceptions related to the 25% Florida’s Roof Replacement Rule. Therefore, this blog aims to help the readers understand this rule.

The Roof Replacement Rule

All across the State of Florida, there is a unique code related to the replacement or recovering of certain sections of roofs and repairs of the existing rooftops which have been damaged because of any one of the following reasons:

 Trees

·         Fire

·         Severe winds

·         Thunderstorms

·         Hail

Before we move on, it is essential to point out that this code is specific to Florida only and you might not find anything similar in the International Existing Building Code. The rule pertaining to the repairs, replacement and recovering of roofs is stated in Chapter 7 (Alterations Level 1), Section 708.1.1 of the 5^th Edition of the Existing Florida Building Code (2014). The section clearly mentions the rule as follows:

“Not more than 25% of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12 month period unless the entire roofing system or roof section conforms to requirements of this code.”

Understanding the Code

So basically the rule means that if your roof coverings whether it is tile (ceramic, clay, etc.), asphalt shingles (organic or fiberglass), metallic or any other coverings and their associated underlayment (felt, synthetic or any other waterproofing material), is damaged more than 25% of the total roof section due to any environmental conditions or any other reason, then as per the code, the homeowner is supposed to replace and remove the “damaged” covering as per the building code requirements.
However, if the damaged zone is less than 25% of the total roofing section, then you are not really required to replace the section. You can patch that area.

An important question arises at this point: what happens if you keep on patching the area within a single year and it exceeds 25% of the roof area?

The answer is simple. If such a condition occurs, you will have to re-roof the whole roof.

Understanding Roof Sections

Another important point to focus on is that the rule applies to separate “roof sections”. The roof section according to the Florida Building Code is described as:

“A separating or division of a roof area by existing expansion joints, parapet walls, flashing (excluding valley), difference of elevation (excluding hips and ridges), roof type or legal description; not including the roof area required for a proper tie-off with an existing system.”

According to this statement, the two different sides of sloping roofs will be considered as a single section. However, if the elevation changes or roofing material is different, then these shall be considered as different roof sections. The expansion joints are typically found in large commercial buildings, whereas, the elevation differences, parapet walls and roof types are observed mostly in single family homes. Difference of legal descriptions is commonly seen in townhouses where many families can live.

If you are in need of Jacksonville roof repair due to environmental conditions and are unsure what to do call White’s Roofing today for a free consultation (904) 220-5546.