by Carol Ochs
Many of us are working
hard just to keep a roof over our heads -- but how good is that roof?
With April showers on the way, it might pay you to find out.
If you are in the market to buy a home, remember there's more to a dream
home than a stunning floor plan. Replacing a roof can cost thousands of
dollars, depending on the size of the roof and the style of materials
you select. A leaking roof also can lead to messy and costly water
damage.
The National Roofing Contractors Association says asphalt shingles
remain the overwhelming roofing choice for U.S. homes. The shingles
come with warranties ranging from about 20 to 40 years. However, Dave
Flickinger, the NRCA's technical services manager, says the warranties
"are not indicative of service life. The warranty covers material only.
It has to be installed correctly." He says certain things will void a
warranty, "such as hail and high winds." Flickinger also points out
that 40-year shingles are relatively new and have not yet stood the
test of time. In addition, warranties may not be transferable to new
owners.
According to Flickinger, when you're sizing up a roof, "general
appearance is the first clue." He warns you could be headed for
problems "if you see shingles that are buckled, curled (turning up at
the edges), or clawing (turning down at the edges)." A lot of shingle
granules in your gutters is another bad sign.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says sooner or later,
every roof will need to be replaced, usually because of weathering. It
suggests that if a residential roof is more than 20 years old, it is a
"prime candidate" for re-roofing.
When buying a new home, getting a routine home inspection is no
guarantee you won't have trouble down the road. Flickinger says an
inspector "standing at curbside and looking up" may not spot some major
problems, such as penetrations that could cause leaks. In Flickinger's
words, "you must walk the roof" to determine its condition, and "it's
doubtful they'll walk it."
In fact, the American Society of Home Inspectors says in its Standards
of Practice that inspectors are not required to walk on the roofing or
inspect areas that are not "readily accessible."
If you already own a home, the NRCA recommends you check your roof each
spring and fall to spot potential problems early. Its web site includes
a chart to record your inspection. The site also contains some ladder
safety tips and a safety video.
Should you need to replace your roof, asphalt shingles fall into two
categories, based on their reinforcement -- organic or fiberglass.
Generally, fiberglass-reinforced shingles are classified as more fire
resistant.
For years, the flat, three-tab asphalt shingle has been the industry
standard, but Flickinger says there is a growing market for what are
known as dimensional, architectural or laminate shingles. While they
don't offer a construction advantage, Flickinger says they give a roof
a rougher appearance which is "aesthetically a bit nicer looking."
Shingles also come in a variety of colors. "Lighter colors are very
popular down south," according to Flickinger. "The hope is going with
lighter material can reduce energy load." While shingle color can make
some difference, Flickinger says studies of temperature data have not
found a huge difference.
If you do find yourself in need of a new roof, the NRCA recommends you
do your homework before hiring a roofing contractor.