Why You Should Never Delay Getting Your Roof Replaced

Posted by Corey Zeller Comments Off on Why You Should Never Delay Getting Your Roof Replaced Uncategorized

Why You Should Never Delay Getting Your Roof Replaced

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!

You Can’t Put Off Replacing Your 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:

Granule Loss

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.

Worn/Damaged Shingles

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.

Algae/Mold

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.

Flashing/Cement Damage

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.

Bad Weather is No Excuse to Not Replace Your Roof

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:

• Greater Than 85°
  • When it’s this hot outside, on your roof, it’ll feel like it’s 130°.

• • Too much heat jeopardizes employee safety and construction quality. We don’t want anyone to experience heat exhaustion or dehydration.

• • When it’s too hot, the granules can smudge off the shingles.

• • It’s hard to do roofing when the temperature is so high that you can’t even touch the shingles without gloves on.

• Under 40°
  • When it’s this cold, shingles can become brittle enough to be damaged by too much pressure, like being held too tight or being stepped on.

• • It doesn’t make things any easier or safer if your fingers are too numb to grip your tools.

• • Shingles are kept on your roof using both nails and an adhesive activated by the radiant heat of the sun. If it’s too cold, then the adhesive will be kept on by nails alone. This isn’t ideal, but it’s okay because eventually, it will be warm enough for the adhesive to work. The concern is that severe enough weather can force some shingles to blow off. If we can delay installing your roof by a couple of days and make use of the sun’s heat, we will. Otherwise, it’s still okay to proceed.

The Cost of Replacing Your Roof Is no Excuse to Not Replace Your Roof

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.

Credit Card:

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.

Cash-Out Refinancing:

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.

Home Equity Loan:

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.

Home Insurance:

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.

Financing:

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:

• Phone number
• Social Security number
• E-mail address
• Driver’s license number
• Mortgage and income

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.

Trouble Finding a Good Contractor is no Excuse to Not Replace 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:

• Being in business for several years.
• Positive reputation.
• Good credit.
• Good bookkeeping.
• References from business partners.

Other ways to narrow down your list are:

• Reviews: Google business listings, Yelp, Home Advisor, and Angie’s List are all places to find reviews of contractors. A solid rating across the board is a good indicator that you’ve found a good roofer.
• References: You can ask to speak to other people who’ve had roofs installed by your prospective contractor, and even swing by a current job to see your contractors at work.
• Meet in Person: You learn a lot when you meet a contractor in person. Believe it or not, some roofers don’t even show up to meet in person, an immediate disqualification. You should also consider it a red flag if your contractor shows up casually dressed and in a personal vehicle instead of in uniform and with a company van. The quality of the estimate you get is also important. You should get a breakdown of all the costs as opposed to a vague, “We’ll do it for $6,000.” Lastly, be wary of any company that sends a salesperson instead of a contractor. Salespeople are more interested in making a sale than getting you the best roof possible, and they might not even know that much about roofing.
• Shop Local: While there are plenty of great roofers nationwide, there’s a significant difference between using the best roofer within a 100-mile radius and using the best roofer within your town. Narrow your search by looking for Bayville roofers, Brick roofers, or Toms River roofers instead of NJ/PA/NY roofers.
• Endorsements: When a manufacturer endorses a roofer, they’re putting their reputation on the line. That’s why it’s important to work with roofers who’ve earned honorary distinctions from reputable companies. Proven Contracting has earned the title of Master Elite from GFA, a provider of high-quality roofing materials.
• Hire Picky Contractors: You know you’re working with someone who values their work and employees if they’re not going to send their team out when the weather isn’t ideal. If your roofer advises you against unnecessary work, like using more than one layer of shingles on your roof, they’re signaling to you how vital high-quality work is. It’s also a good sign if your contractor recommends replacing your whole roof when it’s over 15 years old because they could, conceivably, keep doing repairs on your roof for a while before you finally have to get a whole new one. Getting a new roof saves you time and money and reduces the risk of a roof in need of repair, leading to further structural damage.

Bottom Line

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.