How to Tell If It’s Time for a Roof Upgrade in Nashville

Nashville homeowners need to know the warning signs of a roof in distress. A roof leak, missing shingles, or physical damage from hail or severe winds can lead to water damage or even compromise the stability of some homes. A reliable metal roof installation company can help you determine the best options for repairing a damaged roof, but many Nashville homeowners who notice signs of a roof needing repair are opting for replacement with new metal roofs instead.

A metal roof can offer tremendous long-term value for any Nashville homeowner. Review the following signs to see if it’s time for a new roof for your home. Consider the benefits of investing in a new metal roof.

Damage in the Attic

To check the health of your roof, start inside, not outside. Make your way up to the attic or upper crawlspace below the roof with a flashlight and check for any signs of physical damage or water damage. A few of the common warning signs of a roof in distress found in the attic include:

● Wood rot in the ceiling support eaves.
● Discoloration of the attic walls.
● Water pooling on the floor of the attic or dripping down the walls.
● Damaged insulation.
● Signs of pest infestation.
● Visible light entering the attic space.

If you notice any of these issues, start looking for a reliable roofing company or contractor to help you determine the best options to fix the problem before it worsens.

Age of the Roof

Do you know how old your home’s roof is? Do you have any records for the last time it was replaced? If you bought your home recently, check the paper trail to find out when the last time the roof was repaired or replaced. The average lifespan of a traditional asphalt shingle roof is 20 to 30 years in ideal conditions, so if you bought a house that last had the roof replaced 15 years ago, you could be facing a roof replacement within the next five to ten years.
A metal roof offers significantly longer lifespan than a typical asphalt shingle roof, often lasting more than 75 years with proper care and maintenance. If your roof is going to need replacing in the near future, it is well worth it to invest in a new metal roof that will offer lasting value and a fraction of the maintenance issues of a traditional asphalt shingle roof.

Shingle Quality

An asphalt shingle roof is only as reliable as its weakest shingles, so do a quick survey of the shingles on your roof:

● Check your gutters. Are they full of small black granules that have broken off of your roof’s shingles?

● Have you noticed any dislodged shingles laying in the grass around your home?

● Do any spots on your roof appear discolored or sunken?

● Do you see any shingles that look chipped, cracked, or curling?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your shingle problems could be signs of a roof in need of serious repairs or replacement. Shingles protect your roof deck and the rest of the house below from rain and other precipitation. Gaps in your roof’s shingle coverage can very quickly lead to water damage if left unchecked for too long. Any sunken spots may already have water damage.

Drooping or Sagging

Any spots in a traditional asphalt shingle roof that appear uneven, sunken, or droopy have likely experienced water damage. These areas require immediate attention before the water damage can worsen, opening the door to pest infestations, structural damage, and mold growth. Sunken areas may also indicate wood rot on the boards of the roof deck. After noticing any of these issues, contact a reliable roofing company to inspect the issue and help you develop a solution.

Moss Growth

Houseplants may look great inside your home, but very few homeowners want moss growing on their homes. This is not only unsightly for many Nashville homeowners; it can also create structural problems by allowing moisture to penetrate the roof shingles and damage the decking below.

Inspect your roof at least once a year. If you notice any of the previously mentioned signs of a roof in distress, consider your options for repair or replacement. Your current roof troubles could actually be the perfect opportunity to replace your roof with a new metal roof that offers superior durability, reliability, and safety compared to a traditional asphalt shingle roof.

Benefits of Metal Roofs for Nashville Homes

Nashville has a temperate climate with very mild winters and hot, humid summers. Homeowners have lots of options when it comes to replacing a damaged asphalt shingle roof, but a metal roof offers the best long-term value for many reasons:

1. Metal roofs offer tremendous energy efficiency, helping keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Metal roofs are great thermal conductors, absorbing heat and reflecting sunlight away from the home without allowing it to affect the home’s interior temperature. During colder months, the metal roof’s thermal conductivity creates a buffer of warm air around the home that prevents cold air from entering the home and lowering the temperature.

2. A metal roof requires far less maintenance than a traditional asphalt shingle roof. An annual surface inspection and occasional cleaning is all a metal roof will need; no more patching damaged shingles after every major storm.

3. Metal roofs inspire buyer confidence if you ever decide to sell the home. A potential buyer will realize that he or she will not need to worry about replacing the roof for many years, if ever, and this can become a major selling point if you decide to move.

Ultimately, metal roofs offer superior value compared to asphalt shingle roofs. They require a fraction of the maintenance, and the initial higher price of installation easily pays for itself in energy bill savings, lower homeowner’s insurance premiums, and minimal long-term maintenance costs. If your roof needs repairing or replacing in Nashville, talk with the team who have experience working with the leading brands of metal roofing systems and consider the benefits of upgrading to a new metal roof.