If you need a Houston roof replacement, you may have a lot of questions. A new roof is a big investment and it’s what protects your home from the outside. Therefore, choose the best Houston residential roofing company for your replacement. There are a few things you should know about roofing before you get started. While your roofing contractor will be able to answer all your questions and help you decide on the best course of action, a little general knowledge can go a long way to prevent roofing emergencies like cave ins. So, here is our guide to Houston roof replacement that every resident should know.
Roofing Components
Your roof is made of several different components that function together to shield your home’s interior from the outside. During a Houston roof replacement, you may need to replace each of these components, depending on the severity of the damage. Your roof is made up of five components that work to protect you, your home, and your family:
Roof Covering
The roof covering is the underlayment that protects your sheathing from moisture and the tiles, shingles, or other materials that make up the very top of your roof. Which material you choose for your roof covering will affect your home’s curb appeal, as well as how well your roof can stand up to the elements. For example, asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof covering, as they are inexpensive, easy to repair, and come in a variety of styles. Damaged roof covering makes the other components of your roof more susceptible to damage if ignored. Therefore, if you notice damaged or missing pieces on your roof covering, call your Houston residential roofing contractor for repairs right away. Leaving your roof covering unrepaired for a long time may end up requiring a Houston roof replacement long before the end of your roof’s expected lifespan.
Sheathing
Your roof’s sheathing is composed of the boards and sheet material that is secured to your rafters to cover the building. Houston residential roofing sheathing is generally made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Both are lightweight, cost-effective, and strong enough to support your roof and a roof inspector walking on your roof. The covering is then nailed to the sheathing to add an extra layer of protection from weather. Sheathing damage may allow pests, debris, and water to enter your attic and wreak havoc on your home.
Roof Structure
The roof structure are the rafters and trusses that support the sheathing. These pieces make up a frame that the sheathing, also known as the roof deck, sits on. Damaged rafters and trusses can lead to roof collapse or sagging and can be particularly dangerous.
Flashing
Your roof’s flashing is usually made of sheet metal or other thin, pliable material. Your roofing contractor uses this material on the joints and valleys of your roof to prevent water from seeping into vulnerable areas. Flashing is placed in such a way that it directs the flow of water away from areas that are more susceptible to leaks and water damage, such as around your chimney. Damaged flashing can allow water inside these joints, valleys, and seams and cause leaks and water damage.
Drainage
The elements of your roof that affect its ability to shed water. Your roof’s drainage includes the slope, shape, and layout of your roof. Each of these factors work together to encourage water to flow off your roof to prevent water damage to your home. If your roof’s drainage isn’t suitable or becomes damaged in some way, this could lead to water accumulating on top of your roof, weighing it down and potentially seeping into your roof.
Sometimes damage on these roofing components only requires repair. However, extensive damage or wide spread damage throughout components often means you need a Houston roof replacement instead. Your roofing contractor can tell you for sure if you need a replacement, but you should also look out for some tell-tale signs that you need Houston roof replacement.
Determining if You Need Houston Roof Replacement
In addition to regular inspections from your Houston residential roofing contractor, you should also conduct regular inspections on your own. Both interior and exterior inspections can help you catch problems before they become more complex. During your inspections, look for these signs that you need Houston roof replacement.
Interior Damage Inspection and Signs You Need Houston Roof Replacement
To perform an interior roof inspection, go to your attic with a strong flashlight. First, look for light shining through your roof while the flashlight is off. This is an obvious sign that you need Houston roof replacement or repair services. Additionally, be on the look out for dark streaks, stains, or other visible signs of water damage like rot and soft spots. Finally, check for areas in your roof interior that sag. This often means significant water damage and may need immediate repair or replacement to help keep your home safe. Next, check the exterior of your roof for signs of damage.
Exterior Damage Inspection and Signs You Need Houston Roof Replacement
During an exterior check, look again for darkened areas and moisture damage. Additionally, search for signs of roof rot, such as mold build up, rotten sheathing, and missing or broken shingles. Shingle decay may also indicate the need for a Houston roof replacement. Look for curling, cracking, or buckling shingles on your roof. Also, shingle decay may lead to granule loss, which you can usually find signs of in your gutters. If you notice granules in your gutters and you haven’t recently had a Houston residential roofing repair or replacement, then your shingles are likely breaking down.
Factors that Affect the Performance of Your Houston Residential Roofing
After you discover roof damage, you should consider whether you need repair or replacement. One element that should influence your decision is your roof’s age. Your roof’s expected lifetime is between 15 and 80 years, depending on the type of material your roof is made of. For example, asphalt shingles, the most common type of shingle material used in the United States, lasts between 15 and 20 years. In order to keep your roof for a long time, you should also perform regular Houston residential roofing maintenance to keep your roof in good condition.
As time goes on, your roof experiences a lot of hash conditions, which lead to wear and eventual breakdown of your roof. This is when you need a Houston roof replacement. Some things that can affect your roof’s performance are:
Sun exposure
Both heat and UV radiation can contribute to your roof’s deterioration rate. Oftentimes, your roof may wear faster on west or south facing sides where it receives the most sun throughout the day.
Wind May Lead to Emergency Houston Roof Replacement
Houston winds can get extremely high. This could cause your shingles to lift near the edges. Winds can also push moisture and debris under your roof’s shingles, leading to water damage in the lower components. In some cases, wind can also cause major damage or even, in extreme cases, pull your roof off entirely. After high winds, be sure to inspect your roof to determine if you need a Houston roof replacement.
Humidity
Humid weather can also create condensation on your roof. Without proper ventilation, this moist air enters your attic and can cause decay on your sheathing and roof structure. Additionally, humid weather when your roof is in poor condition can lead to water damage inside your home and mold growth.
Moss and Algae
Both moss and algae can grow on your roof and affect its ability to protect your home. They can hold onto moisture which can cause your roof to rot and deteriorate. Also, moss roots can infiltrate your roof’s structure and sheathing. If you catch these growths in time, you may be able to protect your roof by washing them off. Therefore, it’s important to schedule regular cleaning services and inspections with your Houston residential roofing
Trees and Leaves May Cause Damage That Requires a Houston Roof Replacement
Foliage can also damage your roof in a few different ways. Tree branches can scrape your roof’s exterior, damaging your roof covering. Also, falling branches can puncture your roof, which will likely require a Houston roof replacement to fix. Leaves can also block your gutters, causing water to pool on your roof and potentially cause water damage. If you allow leaves to sit on your roof for an extended period of time, your roof may also rot, as leaves cause your roof’s surface to retain moisture.
How Does a Houston Roof Replacement Work?
Once you’ve determined you need a Houston roof replacement, your roofing contractor will come out and do a thorough inspection.Then, you and your contractor will schedule your roof replacement. How long your replacement takes depends on your roof, the materials you choose, and some other factors. However, generally it takes about three to four days to fully replace your roof.
During your Houston roof replacement, your roofer will remove your roof covering and flashing and inspect your sheathing. If your sheathing is in good repair, we will do any minor repairs needed. However, if your sheathing is in bad shape, we replace with new sheathing. Typically, then we get to work on replacing your roof covering and flashing. While uncommon, we may need to perform more extensive repair and replacement services for damaged roof structures. Then, once we are done we do a final inspection to ensure everything looks good and that you are fully satisfied with our services.
At Paramount Roofing Inc., we are the top residential and commercial roofing company in the greater Houston area. With 25 years providing quality and affordable roofing services, we have the experience and knowledge you want for your next roofing project. In addition to our seven-year guarantee on labor, we also help you take care of homeowners insurance claims for your roof. At Paramount Roofing, we treat you like family, so we answer the phone 24/7 for when you have a roofing emergency. Call us today at (713) 748-4000 to get a free estimate for your Houston roof replacement or repair. We are here to serve you!