How Do You Know When to Replace Your Roof?

When was the last time you took a good look at the condition of your roof? If it has been a while, now is the time to do it. Most roof problems are caused by snow, wind, rain, and ice, making spring the perfect season to assess for wear and tear. 

When you look at your roof, what do you see? Are the shingles intact? Is any part sagging or discolored? Are there dark spots on the outside or ceiling cracks and yellowing inside? These can all be signs of a deteriorating roof. But how long is a roof actually supposed to last, and is a new roof worth the investment? Here are some things to think about when it comes to roof replacement.

1. How old is your roof? Roofs generally last about 20 years, and the reason I say generally is that the life of the roof depends on how it was installed and if it has proper insulation and ventilation. If a roof is done correctly, it can often last longer than 20 years. If you don’t know, it’s worth finding out, especially if you recently purchased your house or are thinking about buying one.

2. Are your shingles curling, splitting, or falling off? This could be due to age and general wear and tear. If this is happening, your roof will be much more susceptible to leaks, which can cause major problems both inside and out. Take a look at where your downspouts deposit onto the ground. If there are lots of granules, that’s a sign of shingle deterioration.

3. Do you see moss or mold growing on your roof? This is a problem that could be fixed with a simple roof cleaning, or it could be a sign that you have rotting plywood and damaging moisture trapped under the shingles. A simple inspection will tell you if it’s a quick cosmetic fix or something more complex that needs to be repaired.

4. Are there yellowish-brown stains or cracks on the ceiling inside the house? This might be water damage coming from the attic which is a problem you don’t want to ignore. If leaks are already happening, they are only going to get worse. 

Many remodelers will do a roof inspection for free, so if you’re unsure about how your roof is holding up, consult with an expert. I always tell the homeowners how long I think their roof will last based on its current condition and the external environment. The number one reason roofs don’t make it through their warranty is because of poor ventilation and insulation, which will lead to premature roof aging and rot. If you’re dealing with a good roofer, they will explain all the options available to you, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ceiling Cracks - A Simple Problem?

This question from a reader might resonate with many of you. “Dear Bob, I noticed a ceiling crack has appeared in my bathroom ceiling near my shower. What should I do?”

I am so glad the reader asked this question because it's incredibly common and can easily happen in any home. The reason ceiling cracks appear is because the bathroom usually holds the most moisture in the house. If the bathroom doesn't have proper ventilation, water and steam from the shower can get trapped in the ceiling, softening the drywall and eventually cracking the paint. An easy cosmetic fix could be to fill in the cracks and repaint the ceiling, but my advice is to first check to ensure no leaks or drainage issues are causing the problem in the first place.

I spend a lot of time in attics and I often see bathroom fans that have been disconnected or knocked off track. So while they sound like they are working, they aren't actually extracting the moisture properly. First-floor bathrooms can be even more susceptible to cracking because of the possibility of plumbing leaks inside the ceiling that originate from an upstairs bathroom. 

So what can you do? If you fix the crack, you don't want it coming back again. Start by making sure you have no leaks or damage in your plumbing. If the area looks wet and doesn’t dry out after using the shower, it is likely an issue coming from inside the ceiling itself, in which case you’ll want to call a plumber. If the ceiling dries after each shower, it’s probably just an extraction problem.

Now have a look at your bathroom fan to ensure that it's working properly. If the fan is old, it's probably worth having it replaced. Older fans or ones that aren’t working well are leaving moisture in the air, which will crack your paint. A good fan should extract moisture in 15 minutes and should be directed outside, not in the attic. 

Once you're ready to patch and paint, make sure the surfaces are very dry and use a water-resistant compound and paint to repair the ceiling. Ensure you give the compound plenty of time to dry before painting - I recommend one day or more. Finally, make sure you're preventing any excess moisture build-up in the future by running the fan during and for 20 minutes after each shower. 

I love hearing from my readers, so please keep those questions coming!
Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Keep a Close Eye On Those Ceiling Cracks

I’ve been in the remodeling business for nearly 50 years and I’ve had my fair share of hair-raising discoveries inside of people’s homes. I’ll never forget one warm autumn afternoon when I got a call from a woman in Bristol who told me her roof was leaking. You wouldn’t think this seemed odd considering that I am a roof remodeler, but it hadn’t rained in a month. I mentioned this to the caller and she said, “Well I can’t be sure where the water is coming from, but my dining room ceiling just caved in.” 

I hung up the phone and immediately made my way over to her house. Sure enough, when I arrived, a pile of sheetrock and plaster had already been hauled onto the front lawn. Upon entering the house, I found that the ceiling had completely crumbled, leaving a soggy mess of remnants all over her dining room set. 

I first asked to see the bathroom on the second floor and I was told there wasn’t one. So I climbed into the attic and gasped when intense heat hit me in the face. I also noted two air conditioning units in the dining room - one in each window. I asked the homeowner about the air conditioners and how often they were used. It turned out that she had them on full power all summer long to try and regulate the temperature since the top floor of the house was so hot. 

It was easy for me to see why the homeowner’s ceiling fell in. A lack of insulation and ventilation in the attic was causing the house to heat up to an uncomfortable level during the summer months. The homeowner tried to combat this problem by cranking up her A/C. By doing so, she was creating major condensation in the walls and ceiling of the home. 

When hot and cold air collides it causes moisture which gets into plaster, sheetrock, and even wood. That moisture then generates mold spores that literally eat away at the ceiling and walls. Her 1950s Cape Cod home was like most in our area, constructed with such poor insulation and ventilation that they are susceptible to rot. A surefire sign of trouble for this homeowner was cracking in the ceiling. Instead of calling me when the problem first reared its head, her husband tried to mask the problem using those 12x12 ceiling panels that you often see in doctor’s offices. He meant well but the attempt at a cosmetic repair only added another layer of material for the moisture to seep into. 

The moral of the story is this. If your home has temperature issues, do not ignore the problem. By not addressing the humidity and moisture in your home, you could end up with major structural damage or worse. If that’s not enough to convince you, mold and mildew are leading causes of asthma and breathing problems, especially in young children and the elderly. Is saving money really worth putting your family’s health at risk?

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.