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Can You Tell How Old a Roof Is?

Can You Tell How Old a Roof Is?

Determining how old your roof is isn’t always easy. This is especially true if you aren’t the first owner of your home. Knowing the age of a roof can be helpful if problems arise and when figuring out if it is sturdy enough to keep you and your family safe and sound.  

We’ve listed a few ways you can tell just how old your roof is. Keep reading below. 

Ask the Previous Owners

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the previous owner. Most people are happy to help and offer any information they may have. Contact them to see if they can tell you how old the roof is. Hopefully, they have answers for you. If they don’t know when exactly the roof was put on, they might be able to point you in the right direction. They may know the roofing company’s name or have the contact information of the people that owned the home before them.

Look Up Building Permits

Most cities in the United States require a building permit to reroof a home. Building permits are public record and is easily accessed. These records will tell you when the roof was replaced, the company’s name that did the job, and a lot of other helpful information. 

Inquire the Roofing Company

If you happen to know the roofing company that replaced the roof, ask them for a copy of the receipt. Most companies keep years and years records and will happily offer up this information. Not only will you learn the date of service, but you can also learn other information, such as how much it cost.

Hire an Inspection 

If you’ve exhausted all your resources without success, you can always hire an inspector to come check it out. A knowledgeable inspector won’t be able to give you an exact date. However, they will be able to provide you with a reliable estimate that you can trust. An inspector is trained and qualified to evaluate your roof and give you an accurate approximation of its age.

Contact the Experts at The Roof Doctor

You can always call on the professionals at The Roof Doctor if you want to know how old your roof is or need a new roof or repair. Your roof and your home are in good hands with The Roof Doctor. We are proud to provide quality roof installations and repairs and hold ourselves to the highest standard. Get your free estimate on a new roof today by calling or filling out our online form today.

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Tips For Maintaining Your Roof During The Winter

Tips For Maintaining Your Roof During The Winter

Wintertime can wreak havoc, not just on the streets, but on our roofs as well. A particularly bad winter hit in 1993, when heavy snow blanketed the area. The resulting two feet of snow landing on roofs seriously increased the risk of collapse. It was recommended that people remove as much as they could to prevent damage. While this extreme example doesn’t happen every winter, it’s an important reminder to be mindful of the roof over our heads!

Keep reading to learn about routine wintertime roof maintenance.

Ways To Maintain Your Roof During Winter

Remove Snow Quickly

It may look innocent, but as stated above, heavy snow can damage a roof, especially if the roof is old or in need of repair. Remove snow as soon as possible. It is necessary to check for ice as well, as it further contributes to the heaviness of snow on your roof. When left too long, ice melt creates what’s known as an ‘ice dam’, thick ridges of solid ice that build up along the eaves. When temps drop below freezing, the melted ice refreezes, resulting in a dam inside or around your gutters. This can back up any runoff precipitation, potentially causing loose shingles and even leakage.

Check For Wind Damage

Along with snow and ice, wind can also do major damage to roofs. Wind damage can rip off portions of your roof that may be hard to see, so you must check for broken, missing, or damaged shingles and other roofing materials. If not fixed, these vulnerable areas will do more than just cause leaks; they will increase the likelihood of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Repair Flashing

Roof maintenance includes checking your existing flashing for problems. What is flashing? Flashing is a protective material fabricated from a rust-resistant metal that is applied around roof protrusions such as the base of chimneys and roof vents, as well as several other areas. Over time, it can warp and loosen, so it’s important to check this yearly. If it’s damaged, show and ice can enter your roof more freely. If too much water builds up, it can cause interior leaks.

Inspect Your Gutters

Gutters are especially susceptible to freezing precipitation. Check them regularly for signs of ice dams. A telltale sign they need cleaning is icicles hanging from them, which can mean your gutters are already plugged. If they’re filled with ice, they can weaken and be unable to sustain all the weight. This results in the gutters tearing away from your home, causing significant structural damage that can bite you in the wallet.

Check Your Attic

Routine roof maintenance isn’t only on your home’s exterior. When performing your roof maintenance, check to ensure your attic has enough insulation, which includes stable ventilation routes. Keeping the airflow consistent helps keep your roof protected.

Contact The Roof Doctor

Need help? If you’re in the Salt Lake City or Northern Utah area, please contact us for a free roofing estimate and let our experts come out and inspect your roof. We perform storm damage repairs In addition to our installation services. You can count on us to fix any issues so that you can rest, worry-free, this winter. Don’t wait!

 

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How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

You may not know whether your roof is failing until you start seeing signs, and then, it may be too late to save it.

Read on to learn what signs you should look for to know if your roof needs repairing.

How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

 

Part One: How to Perform an Interior Roof Check

The fastest way to inspect your roof’s condition is to play detective. Get a flashlight and head up to your attic. Ensure your flashlight has a bright beam so you can readily see any damage. The common signs that you need a new roof include:

  • Visible Daylight through your roof boards: Before you flip on your flashlight, see if you can spot any streams of light coming through cracks or holes in your roof. If you see any light, repair or replace your roof asap. If light seeps through, so can water.
  • Dark streaks and stains: This is easy enough to identify. If you see them on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is likely leaking. Resulting moisture is damaging not only your roof but your home’s interior structure.
  • Sagging areas: Just as water will make a piece of cardboard soggy and weak, water can make the structure of your roof begin to sag. If you see visible sagging, we recommend calling a professional, rather than poking at the problem, to prevent further damage. Don’t wait- pooled water can cause serious damage if left unchecked!

Part Two: Perform an Exterior Roof Check

After performing an interior roof check, do the same on the exterior. Exterior checks are vital to prevent damage from reaching your interior roofing structure.

  • Dark streaks and stains: Just like you did with the interior, check for any noticeable dark streaks or stains that would point to water damage.
  • Leaks & water damage: Noticeable leaks, rotting tiles, or sagging spots are a clear indication of water damage. It’s wise not to ignore these signs, even if they’re minor, because they will only get worse over time.
  • Rotting: This is a common sign for wooden and asphalt roofs, so look for any rot or decay. Some of these apparent signs include rotten or missing and broken tiles or moldy buildup on groups of tiles.

A few other indications you need a roofing professional are decaying shingles, granules in the gutter, damaged chimney and roof flashing, and obvious signs of poor workmanship. Knowing your roof has reached it’s expected lifetime is an important factor as well.

The Roof Doctor Can Help

If you see any damages after your exterior and interior inspection, write them down and then contact us for help. We have experienced and well-trained technicians who can come and repair or replace your roof. Contact us today to learn more!