A roof leak can occur at any time. Typically, when a roof leak develops it’s because there is a problem with the roof that is caused by a recent storm in the area. High winds, hail, and icy rain can cause a lot of damage to a roof. And if your roof gets damaged by one of these storms you may get a roof leak in your home. But just because you have a roof leak in your home doesn’t mean you need a new roof in Birmingham Michigan. Getting a roofing contractor in Birmingham Michigan out to your home to make repairs to your roof and inspect the problem area can give you a better idea of what your next steps should be.
Does a Small Roof Leak Mean You Need a New Roof in Birmingham Michigan?
When you have a roof leak on your home it may not seem like it’s much of a problem but you may just be seeing the tip of the iceberg. When water enters your home through a roof leak it can cause all sorts of damage. Some of this damage will not be apparent from the interior of the home. So while you may think there is only a stain on your home’s ceiling from the roof leak it can be much more. Any area where water has affected may have mold damage and this can include the areas that you can’t see such as in the attic or walls of your home. This is why it’s so important to get a roof leak repaired quickly when there is a problem on your home’s roof. Sometimes however it’s not just a simple roof repair that is needed. In some cases, you’ll need a completely new roof installed on your home. Here are some cases where you’ll need a new roof installed rather than just a roof repair:
The Roof Leak Has Affected Roof Decking
A roof leak that is allowed to continue for a long time can lead to all sorts of damage to the home. As I mentioned above, some of this damage you’ll not be aware of when it is occurring. One problem that a roof leak can cause is the roof decking on your home rotting. As water gets to the roof decking it can cause it to rot which makes it weaker. This means your roof will likely start to sag in that area and that roof decking will need to be replaced. As water runs down the roof decking it can cause damage to the entire roof decking which may mean a new roof is needed on your home.
The Roof is Older
When the shingles on your home’s roof get older they start to break down. This process happens over time and the older the roofing shingles are the more susceptible to the damage they will be. The shingles will get more brittle and easily broken. As the shingles get older they will also start to pull away from the roof itself and the shingles located below. This can allow wind to get under the shingles and break them. When you have a roof leak due to a part of the shingles breaking like this you can repair the roof and it will likely work for a time. However, with the roof starting to age like this it will get worse and worse because the shingles will get weaker and weaker. When the roofing shingles are older they likely will need to be replaced. Even if you decide to repair a portion of the roof, the weakened shingles may cause a problem and a roof leak later. It’s important to understand the lifespan of your roof and if there is still a warranty attached. Your roof should last the timeframe of the warranty at least. Some roofing warranties can be as much as 40 years however, most is only about 15 years or so. If your home’s roof is older than 15 years old it may be a complete roof installation that is needed.
Call for an Estimate
If you’re unsure whether you need a roof repair or roof installation on your home be sure to call the roofing experts at Oakes Roofing. Oakes Roofing is a fully qualified and licensed roofing contractor in Birmingham Michigan and offers free estimates on roofing projects. Call today at (586) 726-2300 for more details.
