Archive for year: 2015

A majority of homeowners in St. Louis discover the need to install a new roof after they find leaks in their ceiling. Leaks can be due to a number of roofing problems. However, do you as a home owner have the top 6 reasons to decide a simple roof repair will fix the problem or your home deserves a whole new roof replacement instead?

Here are the top 7 reasons to help you decide if you actually need a new roof:

1. The Age of Your Roof

Can you answer this question:”How old is the existing asphalt shingle roof of your home?” A number of industry experts believe a typically installed asphalt shingle roof can last anywhere between 20-25 years. It’s also impacted if your roof was properly removed or one layer of shingles. Properly ventilation matters as well to the life of a roofing system. Painfully, if your roof was installed over another, like many in St. Louis have been, layer or several layers and it is older than 20 years, you’re likely to need a new roof.

2. Shingle Wear, Curling and Flat-out Buckling

Your roof shingles showing they are curled, buckling are other signs of wear may indicate you need a new roof. Allow your vision to follow the slopes of your roof. Use the sunlight to your advantage and see if you notice shingles which curling and buckling. This is a sign your shingles are past their prime. There is a slight possibility that your roof is simply defective. Contact a licensed roofing contractor such as Zerman Restoration to see if you are eligible for reimbursement from the manufacturer.

3. Chimney & Siding Flashing

Flashing being installed properly with shingles during construction of home.

This is an area where many roofing systems are often overlooked. Typically older roofing systems in St. Louis use flashing made up of roof cement or tar. More than likely they need to be replaced with a long term, water-tight type of fitting. The majority of flashing today is a professionally installed metal flashing system.

4. Failing Roof Valleys

Inspect the weaving where roof valleys come together on your roof. If you roofs shingles are falling away or missing from this area, it’s an immediate signal you’re needing a new roof. The roof valleys of your home are one of the key areas of your homes roof. Seasonal snow and rain flow through roof valleys and into your gutter system. If the roof valley is breaking down, you’re more than likely to begin noticing roof leaks.

5. Shingles Breaking Down and Showing Up In Your Gutters

Climb a ladder. Take a good look in the gutters of your home. What do you to see? If your homes gutters are are loaded 3/8th of an inch or more of shingle granules it’s time to make a call for an inspection. As a roof ages they accelerate the loss of more granules as the naturally come to the end of the products life cycle.

6. Missing Roof Shingles

Like the photograph above are another obvious sign your roof could be failing. Verify if all of the “tabs” are intact and sealed.

Should you experience any of these issues, know that a quality inspection and proposal from Zerman Restoration could improve your home’s outlook. Call today @ 314-570-0185.