Roofing by Thowe Construction Blog | Flint Hills, KS Area

3 Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:07:00 GMT

Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your home from the elements, but all roofs have a limited lifespan. Over time, various factors such as weather, materials, and age can lead to wear and tear, requiring a replacement. Ignoring these signs can lead to more severe problems down the road, including water damage and decreased property value. Here are three signs that your roof is due for a replacement from one of your local roofing companies.

1. Damaged Missing Shingles

One of the most apparent signs your roof needs replacing is the presence of damaged or missing shingles. Shingles serve as the first line of defense against harsh weather, and when they're damaged or missing, can expose the underlying layers to wind and water. According to Roofer's Guild, fiberglass shingles, which are known for their durability, are used in around 90% of U.S. asphalt roofs sold. However, even these can deteriorate over time, especially if they're old or poorly maintained.

2. Noticeable Sagging

Another key indicator of a roof in need of replacement is noticeable sagging. A sagging roof is often a sign of structural issues, such as weakened joists and trusses, or prolonged water damage. While minor sagging can sometimes be repaired, significant sagging usually means the entire roof is compromised. In these cases, a complete roof replacement is often the best course of action to ensure the safety and integrity of your home.

3. Water Leaks or Stains Inside the Home

Water stains or leaks inside your home are warning signs that shouldn't be ignored. These often indicate that the roof's underlayment or flashing has failed, allowing water to seep into your home. Left unchecked, this can lead to mold growth and rot, compromising the health of your family and the structure of your home. If you notice persistent leaks, it’s essential to have a professional assess the condition of your roof to determine if replacement is necessary.

Knowing the signs of a failing roof can save you from costly repairs and maintain the value of your property. Damaged shingles, sagging structures, and interior water stains are all indicators that it's time to consider a roof replacement from one of your local roofing companies . Contact Roofing by Thowe Construction today so you can act quickly to prevent additional damage and ensure your home remains a safe and comfortable environment for years to come.

5 Common Causes of Roof Damage

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:05:00 GMT

Day in and day out, many roofs must put up with a lot of abuse. Storms, the sun’s harsh rays, random gusts of wind, falling branches, and other things could impact your roof. When a roof is damaged, it must generally either be repaired or replaced by roofers. Not sure what might cause issues? Let's take a look.

1. Storms

Severe weather events are perhaps the most common cause of roof damage. Heavy rain and hail can damage roofs. High winds can get underneath shingles and other roofing materials and rip them off. If a storm knocks down tree branches, and they land on the roof, that could cause serious trouble.

2. Falling Branches

Branches don’t fall only during storms and high winds. As trees grow taller, low-lying limbs often get less sunlight and nutrients and may slowly die off. Diseases could also result in limbs dying. Sometimes limbs rot, and we aren't always sure why. Either way, for roofs, falling limbs are a serious risk.

3. Wind

Wind is a common issue during storms, but high winds can pop up on clear and sunny days as well. Further, it’s not only high wind you have to worry about. Even low wind speeds can slowly grind down roofs and tear off shingles over time. If you live in an area that’s windy, even if high winds are uncommon, you need to pay extra close attention.

4. Improper Installation

Unfortunately, it’s possible that the roofers who installed your roof made some mistakes. Sometimes, the issues won’t crop up for years. The good news is that you can find excellent roofing companies that go out of their way to minimize mistakes and installation issues. You can also bring in roofers to fix issues caused by the previous roofing contractor.

5. Time

Time wears all things down, including roofs. As the years go by, your roof will slowly wear out. It’s wise to have roofing professionals check over and maintain your roof on a consistent basis. Sometimes, a few timely repairs can expand a roof’s lifespan substantially. Other times, it’s best to simply tear out and replace the roof.

Damage done to roofs drives demand for roofing repair and replacement services. It should come as no surprise then that, according to This Old House, the roofing market worldwide is projected to hit $156 billion by 2030, growing at an average rate of 4.3% annually. If you’re looking for roofers to replace your roof or assist with roof repairs, get in touch with Roofing by Thowe Construction today.

4 Popular Residential Roofing Materials

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:37:00 GMT

When it's time to replace your home's roof, you have several material options to consider. Getting recommendations from local roofers in your area can help identify the qualities of different roofing types for your specific home and climate. Below are four of the most popular residential roofing materials that you can have professionally installed.

1. Traditional Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles, also called composite shingles, are the most common roofing material for residential homes. They're made from a fiberglass mat, covered in asphalt, and topped with ceramic granules. In our roofers' experience, traditional three-tab asphalt shingles have a straightforward construction with one layer of shingles underlying two other tabs. According to our experts, they have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years.

2. Architectural Asphalt Shingles

Also known as dimensional or laminate shingles, architectural shingles have an extra layer providing more texture and thickness. Their long-lasting qualities make them more durable in extreme weather. This material also provides an enhanced aesthetic design that brings visual appeal to rooflines, making them look more like wood shakes or slate tiles. Local roofers recommend architectural shingles for most homes since their reasonable price combines durability and attractive styling.

3. Standing Seam Metal Roofing

For a durable, long-lasting residential roof, standing seam metal is a top choice. These roofs have raised seams where metal panels interconnect, allowing metal roofs to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, resulting in fewer cracks or leaks. When installed properly by local roofers, metal roofs have an impressive lifespan of 50 to 70 years, according to State Farm. They offer excellent protection from wind, fire, and heavy snow. Their sleek appearance also appeals to modern home designs.

4. Traditional Metal Roofing

Materials like galvanized steel, aluminum, copper, or tin are formed into shingles with fastener holes instead of seams. The overlapping shingle design typically mimics the look of other materials like slate, wood shake, clay tile, or even asbestos. Traditional metal roofing lifespan is on par with standing seam roofs. Their unique historic or Old World appearance makes them a favorite roofing style for restoration projects. Professional roofers can recreate the handsome charm of early American metal roofing on your newer home, too.

When getting estimates on your roof replacement, be sure to ask local roofers about the best types for your home's architecture and location. Their experience installing various residential roofing provides practical insights beyond basic material characteristics. According to Roofer's Guild, most roofs last between 25 and 50 years, with the age varying heavily based on roof and property type. Reach out to Roofing by Thowe Construction today to learn about our excellent roofing services.