The best time to replace your roof is before you even notice it needs to be replaced. For most people, the need to replace their roof doesn’t come at an ideal time. People might not have the money, the weather might not be great, and their lives may be too busy. A roof is so important that you just can’t afford to put off getting it replaced. Luckily, there’s no need to put off getting a new roof!
There are a few common symptoms that indicate that your roof is in trouble. Unfortunately, by the time you spot them, that means your roof is already in need of replacement.
Here are your big tip-offs:
Shingles have asphalt and fiberglass in them. Granules protect these materials to ensure that your roof doesn’t leak. When shingles get old, these granules fall off and collect in your gutters and around your home. The effect is akin to bald tires on your car: you’re just setting the stage for an accident.
Eventually, your shingles will get old and brittle, which causes them to crack and fracture. One way to tell that it’s time for a new roof is when your shingles are peeling or curling up. That’s the step right before shingles start to get blown off altogether.
Without granules, your shingles cease to be water-resistant and start to act more like sponges. When shingles soak up water, they become a breeding ground for algae and mold. Worse still, algae and mold cause nails to pop, which is a way for leaks to start and another reason shingles blow off. If you see black streaks on your roof, that’s mold.
Metal flashing or roof cement is applied to places where shingles meet walls, chimneys, or other areas where the roof ceases to be contiguous. When flashing or cement gets damaged, it creates an opportunity for leaks, mold/algae, and shingles to blow off.
Your roof may need to be replaced at any time, but not every time is ideal for replacing your roof. If it’s above 85° or under 40°, we’ll wait until the weather is more accomodating. Here’s why:
You can get a ballpark estimate of how much your roof will cost using our roofing calculator. We factor square footage, roof complexity, the quality of the materials and labor, and how many layers of shingles you want. For a more accurate estimate, contact us via phone or e-mail, or fill out our contact form and we’ll schedule a time for one of our contractors to swing by.
Don’t think of the cost of your roof as a deterrent to getting a new roof. Your roof is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home. And the longer you put off getting a new roof, the more likely you are to experience more damage. This can get severe enough to include your sheetrock, walls, and electrical system.
The complexity of your roof will impact the cost and length of time that it takes to install a new roof. But, at most, a big project only takes a few days. If you have a complex roof, that’s an added reason not to wait on a new roof. Some of the features that make roofs more beautiful, like f facets that join at various inclines or elements like skylights that split up your roof, are particularly susceptible to leaks.
Luckily, there are several options if you don’t have the money to pay for your roof right now.
Being able to pay for your roof right away is a big incentive to use a credit card. You may end up paying more due to your interest rates, but at least you won’t be paying more because of additional damage to your home. If your credit score is high enough, you can take out a low or zero interest credit card and pay off your debt before the interest rate significantly impacts how much you’re paying.
When you refinance your home, you negotiate for a more accommodating loan. You can also get more money than you need for your home and use it to pay off debts, like the cost of your roof. You can also use the funds to pay off high-interest debts and, overall, end up with more budgetary wiggle room. The issue with this option, however, is that you may end up incurring high closing costs. Additionally, in the time it takes you to complete your cash-out refinancing, you expose yourself to potentially more roof damage.
Equity is the percentage of your home that you own after paying off portions of your mortgage. The more of your mortgage you pay off, the more equity you have. With enough equity and good enough credit, you can get a low-interest loan. To qualify for such a loan, most lenders require you have a credit score of at least 620, a debt-to-income ratio between 43% and 50% (that’s the number you get when you divide the sum of your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income), and that you have at least 20% of your home’s equity. Like cash-out refinancing, however, the amount of time it takes to get a home equity loan opens you up to more structural damage.
Your homeowner’s insurance is likely to cover your roof repair only if the damage is due to an act of nature, and even then, the insurance may only cover a portion of the repair. Luckily, the age of your roof is not likely to factor into your ability to make a claim. To remain eligible for your home insurance, you may need to meet certain criteria, like getting periodic roof inspections.
This is the fastest and easiest way to pay for your roof with no money. First, you need to confirm that your contractor offers financing because not every contractor does. Proven Contracting can put together a payment schedule for you through one of our two lenders: Service Finance Company (SFC), LLC, or GreenSky®. All we need from you is the following information:
Once we have these details, we call the lender, and you’ll know within minutes if you qualify for a loan. We tend to recommend the option that allows you to pay the least amount of interest, although we can also provide you with a zero-interest payment plan in exchange for an upfront fee.
Also, there’s no fee for paying off your principal early, so if you happen to get a nice bonus at work, you can apply that to the cost of your roof.
Given the cost and importance of your roof, it’s crucial to find the best contractor you can. Luckily, finding a great roofer is easier than you may think. Just knowing if your contractor can provide financing significantly narrows your choices because the criteria a roofer has to meet to offer financing are themselves signs of a good roofer. The criteria are:
Other ways to narrow down your list are:
People come up with all sorts of reasons to put things off, frequently to their detriment. A roof replacement doesn’t have to be one of them! Roof installation can take place year-round, you can pay for your roof even with no money, and finding the best roofer in your area is easier than you think.
So, don’t delay! The less time you waste, the less risk to your home.