Roofs are very strong, but they don’t last forever. Depending on material, the roof should be replaced after a few decades. The maximum lifespan of asphalt shingles is 20 years, for metal is 60 and tile can even reach a 100. But maximum isn’t average and the lifespans of roofs can be cut in half because of bad weather, lack of maintenance, severe storms and improper installment.
To check whether your roof needs replacement, you should see your warranties and also schedule a consultation with professional roofing. If you still don’t think that roof replacement is important, check out these side effects of having a bad roof:
- Water Issues
The main role of a roof is to protect the home from outside weather, including rain and snow. If the roof is old and damaged, it will lose functionality. First, algae and moss will appear on the shingles, followed by pesticide and mold. If these signs of roof damage are ignored, sooner or later shingles will start to either crack or go missing, leading to severe attic leaks and a flooded home.
- Foundation Damage
So, a damaged roof can cause water to get on the inside. What most homeowners do is they underestimate the power of water. When it starts to accumulate in a certain area, water puts pressure on surrounding surfaces. This is how it causes cracks on walls, floors and roofs.
By using every weak point it can find and cracking it, water enters in the deepest parts of our homes, ending up as a flood in an old and moisty basement. This most definitely increases chances of structural cracks or foundation damage. And no home is safe if the foundation is filled with cracks and mold.
- Health Issues
We mentioned mold several times, but what is it and why is it dangerous? Well mold refers to a group of fungi which appear on old food and in damp areas. Some types of fungi in this group produce penicillin and if you are allergic, the least dangerous outcome is occasional coughs and sneezes. But penicillin isn’t the only thing frightful about mold.
This group of fungi reproduces at impeccable speed and if not removed from your home, it can spread throughout the whole area in the matter of no time. Besides mold, roof damage can disturb the entire piping system in your home, even the sewer connections, resulting in a horrific situation – sewer backup.
