Iowa’s volatile weather can wreak havoc on your roof. Whether you own a home or business, having a roof that keeps out the elements and keeps your home secure is essential. These five problems are the most common for Ames-area property owners—do any of them sound familiar?
1. My Home Has Storm Damage
High winds, rain, hail, and lightning can be incredibly destructive to your roof. Sharp, irregularly shaped hailstones can break roof tiles or dent shingles; lightning can cause electrical issues, fire, and scorching. Flying debris, winds, and rain can result in broken or missing shingles and water infiltration.
After any storm, inspect your home for damage. Check your roof for missing shingles, flashing, or metal fascia (especially around the chimney). Make sure that your gutters, vent covers, and exhaust pipes or outlets are intact and in good condition. Inspect your roof and siding for any cracking, damage, or “dimpling” from hail, tree branches, or debris. Inside your home, inspect your attic and upper-floor ceilings for leaks or signs of water damage like stains, cracks, or bubbles in the paint.
If a storm has caused damage to your roof, you may have some coverage under your homeowners’ insurance. Your insurer may pay for repairs or cover some or all of the cost of replacement. Ask your insurer about premium discounts if you replace your roof with more durable materials like EMCO stone-coated steel shingles, which provide durable, good-looking, and long-lasting protection from even the harshest elements.
2. I Want to Save Money
Replacing an old roof with one that improves your home’s energy efficiency can save you a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills. A new roof will better insulate your home from the elements, which can reduce the amount of energy you use heating and cooling your home and lower your utility bills.
You may also be eligible for federal tax credits for residential energy efficiency, as well as state or local tax credits or energy incentives if you use approved energy-efficient materials. If you replace your roof with an Energy Star-certified metal or asphalt roof, which has a pigmented coating or cooling granules designed to reduce heat gain, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit of up to 10% or $500 next year on your federal return.
3. I Want to Improve My Home’s Resale Value
If you're planning to sell your home in the next few years and think your roof is nearing the end of its life, replacing it can increase your home’s value and help it sell faster. Although the average cost in our area to replace a roof in 2016 is $20,925, and the average amount recouped in a sale with a new roof was $10,831 (51.8% of the cost), a new roof can help a home sell faster and more easily, saving you money. A damaged or old roof, on the other hand, can turn off buyers or impede a sale during the inspection and lending process. A new roof will also enhance your home’s livability for your family until you sell and can improve its curb appeal to make a great first impression on potential homebuyers. This can be the key to selling your home quickly, getting the best offer, and helping the approval and sale process go smoothly.
4. My Roof Looks Dated
Your roof’s appearance is very important to the look and feel of your home. A dated roof can make your home or business stand out for the worse in your neighborhood. Modern roofing material options, including shingle, steel, flat, and steel roofing, allow you to update and improve the aesthetic appeal of your property at all price points. Steel roofing materials, for example, can be designed to look like expensive traditional materials like slate, cedar, shake, or clay for a fraction of the cost—making your home look stylish and elegant. Architectural shingles can give your home a clean, fresh look for a reasonable price. Even just replacing your traditional asphalt shingle roof can be like giving your property a breath of new life.
5. My Roof is Very Old
Every roof will reach the end of its functional lifespan eventually and need to be replaced. Depending on the type and quality of the materials your roof is made of, you can expect it will last anywhere from 10 to more than 50 years. Harsh weather conditions contribute to shortening your roof’s life, as does its color (darker roofs absorb more heat, shortening their lifespan), pitch (steeper roofs last longer), and orientation (south-facing roof surfaces typically get more sun and will need replacing more frequently).
A visual inspection can reveal some common signs of age for roofs: obvious damage, missing shingles, warping, or sagging. If you have asphalt shingles, a sign that your roof needs to be replaced is widespread granule loss; this indicates that your roof is no longer doing its job to protect your home from solar radiation and weather. Dried, cracked, or worn old shingles are more likely to allow water to leak into your roof decking, attic, and living spaces, causing significant damage and possibly dangerous mold.
If you keep up with regular inspection and preventive maintenance, your roof will last longer and you'll have fewer issues during its life. Hedrick Construction’s roofing experts can perform routine annual roof inspections on homes in the Ankeny, Ames, and Huxley areas and make recommendations for repair or replacement.
If you need a new roof, Hedrick Construction would love to help you choose the roofing material that’s right for your home or business. We professionally install traditional asphalt and architectural shingles, steel roofing, and flat roofing products at all price points, and we have the knowledge to help you find the quality roofing shingles or other products that are right for you. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or get a free roofing estimate.
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