If you’re asked where you’d see signs that it’s time for a roof replacement on your Atlanta home, the logical response would be “up on the roof.” While problems on the roof like curled and broken shingles, missing or damaged flashing or areas of visible underlayment or bare roof decking, are often dead giveaways that a replacement is needed, some other signs are less obvious.

If you can relate to any of the following issues, your roof has likely deteriorated to the point where replacement is your best or only option:

Rising Heating and Cooling Costs

Are your household heating and cooling costs trending upward, but your comfort requirements and energy use habits haven’t changed? Widespread roof decay that’s letting moisture into the attic may be to blame if the insulation between the floor joists is getting damp. When attic insulation gets wet, it compacts and its R-value declines, which allows heat transfer down into your finished living spaces. This forces your HVAC equipment to work harder to condition your home, and your energy bills start to climb.

Termite Damage

If minor leaks are letting water into your roof system and attic, it’s an inviting environment for a Formosan termite colony. These super-aggressive subterranean termites can build aerial nests anywhere there’s warmth, moisture, and a ready food supply – like your roof’s structural components. The signs that termites are devouring your roof aren’t always easy to recognize:

• Nests or “cartons” made of chewed wood, excrement and soil in the attic.
• Streaks of dirt – the insects’ dried-mud shelter tubes – on your home’s foundation, eaves, soffits or fascia boards.

If you have a termite problem, portions of the sheathing, rafters and other structural components may need replacement and treatment before a new roof is installed.

Loss of Granules

The granules on your shingle roof protect the asphalt substrate and fiberglass or organic mat against degradation from the sun’s UV radiation. A significant loss of granules on an older roof will leave the substrate exposed and cause rapid deterioration and leaks. While you can expect to see a few granules in the gutter troughs or on the ground around your downspouts, finding large amounts of granules is a telltale warning that you need a new roof.

To schedule an inspection to determine if your home needs a new roof, contact us at Echols Roofing, the trusted roof replacement experts in Atlanta.