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

Many Ohio property owners are choosing to upgrade their homes and commercial properties with new metal roofs. A metal roof offers significant benefits over a standard asphalt roof, including a lifespan that’s more than three times as long, energy savings, and much more. If you own a home or business in Ohio and think it may be time for a new roof, pay close attention to the following signs that it’s time to arrange a roof replacement. If you decide to install a new metal roof, you can enjoy several surprising benefits and prevent some of the issues that compelled you to replace the roof in the first place.

Water Damage in the Attic

Take time to inspect the attic or crawlspace below the roof of your Ohio property. If you notice any light coming in from the roof, leaks, or any obvious wet spots on the walls or floor of the attic space, these are signs to address as soon as possible. A damaged roof will allow water to enter your home, seeping into the support structures, drywall, ceilings, and other areas. Eventually, this water damage will deteriorate these structures as well as open the door for mold growth.

Water damage can lead to very costly repairs for any structure. Whether you own a home or commercial building in Ohio, consider water damage a sign that you should repair or replace the roof as soon as possible. If water seeps into your roof, it could eventually make its way through the entirety of your home, potentially damaging the interior walls, floors, or even the concrete slab in your basement. This can easily become a very expensive problem. It may go unnoticed for quite a while, too, and the stagnant water that accumulates throughout your home can become a major health hazard.

A Very Old Existing Roof

Even the best asphalt shingle roofs will only last about 20 to 25 years under favorable conditions. In most cases, homeowners and commercial property owners will need to arrange occasional repairs during the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof before ultimately replacing it. If your asphalt shingle roof is close to 20 years old and you think it needs repairs, it may be more cost-effective to simply replace the roof.

If you decide to replace a very old asphalt shingle roof, consider the benefits of upgrading to a metal roof. A professionally installed metal roof can easily last for 75 years with minimal maintenance.

Poor Shingle Quality

If you have noticed asphalt shingles or pieces of shingles laying in your yard after heavy storms or your gutters seem to be full of shingle granules every time you clean them, take these as signs that the roof needs attention. As an asphalt shingle sustains wear and tear over the years, shingles will loosen and eventually dislodge from the roof. When this occurs, the roof bed is vulnerable to water damage, pest infiltration, mold growth, and physical damage.

Replacing a few shingles is a relatively cheap and minor repair, but if you find yourself paying for more than one shingle replacement job every few years, it may be time to consider upgrading to a metal roof. Keep an eye out for any signs of poor shingle quality, including:

● Shingles laying on the ground around your home.
● Shingle chunks or granules accumulating in your gutters.
● Warped, curling, or cracked shingles on your roof.
● Patches of discoloration on your roof.
● Moss growing on your roof.
● Any spots on the roof that appear sunken, uneven, or warped.

If you notice any of these issues, contact an experienced local roofer to conduct a thorough roof inspection.

Increasing Utility Bills

Your utility bills may increase for several reasons, but if you notice consistently more expensive bills month after month, this could be a sign that your home’s heating and air conditioning systems are working harder than they should because of your roof. A damaged and outdated asphalt shingle roof can allow cool air to escape in the summer or warm air to escape during the winter, and your heater and air conditioner will consume more fuel to compensate.

Over time, this issue will not only lead to increased utility bills but could also negatively impact the performance of your home’s heating and air conditioning system, leading to expensive repairs or replacements.

Benefits of Switching to a Metal Roof

Considering all the potential issues a traditional asphalt shingle roof can experience during its lifespan, Ohio homeowners should strongly consider the benefits of upgrading to new metal roofs if they determine a roof replacement or major repair will be necessary in the near future. Traditional asphalt shingle roofs may offer a classic look, but they will only last 25 years at most. By comparison, a new metal roof can last 75 years or more with proper upkeep, offering a fantastic long-term cost of ownership compared to an asphalt shingle roof.

A new metal roof may be more expensive to install than an asphalt shingle roof, but it will easily pay for the different in a short time thanks to its greater energy efficiency and minimal need for regular maintenance. Ohio homeowners will also be surprised to learn that metal roofs are available in many different styles aside from the standard vertical seam styles. Ohio property owners can choose from dimensional shingle style metal roofs that mimic the appearance of asphalt shingles, cedar shake style for a beach house look, or even Spanish tile made of high-quality metal tiles.

Caring for a metal roof is easy. The smooth surface of a metal roof will assist in snow shedding during harsh Ohio winters, lowering the chances of ice dams forming on the roof and increasing sun exposure for better temperature regulation. Property owners who decide to switch to metal roofs should ensure that no other metals, brick, or concrete fragments come into contact with the metal roof as these substances can cause chemical reactions, leading to rusting or galvanic corrosion.

If you own a home or commercial property in Ohio in need of a new roof, contact an experienced metal roof contractor to discuss design options and the installation process. A metal roof can be a fantastic investment for any Ohio property, outlasting and outperforming even the highest quality asphalt shingle roofs.