What Are the Risks of Delaying Roof Replacement?

If you own a home, you probably know that property upkeep is a never-ending task. When it comes to homeownership, there’s always something that needs to be maintained or fixed. And while you might logically realize how important these projects are, it’s all too easy to let some of them fall by the wayside. After all, there are only so many hours in a day — and so much money to make repairs.

That said, some home improvement and maintenance tasks are more pressing than others. Some, like exterior painting or landscaping, may stand to improve your home’s aesthetics but not its overall functionality. Others, like foundation repair or window replacement, can protect your property while adding to its overall value.

Whether or not you realize it, your home’s roofing plays a substantial part in both its appearance and in its structural integrity. But because you may not look closely at your roof on a constant basis, you may be inclined to miss the signs that it needs replacement. Although asphalt shingles can last for anywhere from 20 to 50 years, depending on your location’s climate and other factors, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever have to worry about replacing your roof. If and when the time for replacement comes, you’ll need to answer the call right away.

But why is prompt roofing replacement so essential? By delaying making contact with roof replacement contractors northern VA homeowners trust, you’ll be taking a number of major risks. Let’s take a closer look at what might happen if you put off roofing replacement for too long.

Leaks and Water Damage

When shingles start to degrade, the barrier created by your roof becomes much more penetrable by the elements. As a result, your roof may start to leak. There’s little chance that this problem will remain isolated to one area. Once leaks start, they typically spread — so putting down a bucket and hoping for the best won’t work for long. Eventually, all that water can rot the roof and could damage other rooms. Since water damage is very expensive to fix, you’ll want to consider replacing your roof before this damage occurs.

Mold and Pest Presence

Where there’s water, there’s often mold. If you allow leaks and water damage to go unaddressed, you could be putting your family’s health at risk. Mold thrives in wet environments and will feed off of water-logged insulation and rotting wood. Mold remediation is expensive enough, but failing to replace your roof could also encourage pest activity. Rodents and insects are also drawn to wet environments — and if there are vulnerabilities in your roof, you’ll be providing them with an easy way in. Like mold, pests can also pose a health hazard to your family. If you want to protect both your belongings and your house, you shouldn’t delay in contacting the experts about roofing replacement.

Severe Structural Damage or Collapse

Of course, the safety risks don’t stop there. If you continue to ignore your need for roof replacement, your home might endure extensive damage. You might put the structural integrity of your home at risk. In severe cases, your roof could actually collapse. Water damage can also increase the risk of a residential fire; if electrical wiring becomes impacted by a leak, a fire could completely destroy your home and jeopardize the safety of your family. Obviously, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid this type of damage.

Increased Bills

Health and safety risks aren’t the only outcomes to worry about, however. A lot of homeowners put off replacing their roofs due to the costs involved. But failing to replace your roof can end up costing you more money in the long term. Investing in frequent repairs will certainly add up. You may also end up paying a lot more each month for your energy usage. Since the same leaks that let water in will also let air escape, your home’s HVAC system will work overtime to keep your house comfortable — resulting in higher bills than necessary. Keeping tabs on your monthly energy usage can actually be a good way to detect whether something is amiss with your roof. If nothing else has changed but your energy bills keep going up, it might be time to assess whether your roof is to blame.

Decreased Property Value

Another important point to remember is that an aging and worn-out roof will have a negative impact on the value of your home. Whether you’ve had your house on the market for a few months or you’re planning to list it in a couple of years, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected by an expert to see whether it might be holding you back from fielding a good offer. Although roof replacement isn’t always necessary before selling a home, a house that’s in dire need of a roof replacement could fail to sell for a fair price. In many instances, it may be better to replace your roof prior to selling to ensure buyers feel confident in making an offer.

We hope it’s clear that putting off necessary roofing replacement isn’t worth the risk. If you’re overdue for installing a new roof, we’re here to help. Please contact us today to learn more.