Overlay or Not To Overlay: Reasons You Need a New Roof Instead

When you venture into your attic, the air and the insulation should feel dry. If your insulation feels moist, or if you're noticing little pools of dampness, your first thought may be that your roof is leaking. But what if you can't find any damaged or missing shingles? Follow these steps to discover why your attic is becoming moist.

Look for Less Obvious Sources of Leaks

Many homeowners assume that all leaks are caused by holes in the roof or missing shingles, but in fact, this is only one possible way water can enter your attic through the roof. Wait for a day when the weather is decent and then climb up on a ladder to check for these other sources of leaks.

Missing or Damaged Flashing

Flashing is the metal barrier that surrounds chimneys, vents, and other items that project from your roof. Flashing can sometimes become damaged by ice buildup, fallen branches, or naturally forming rust. If your flashing is peeling away from the roof or looks like it's coming "undone," this is probably where the water's coming in. Have a roofing company come repair or replace your flashing.

Exposed Nail Heads

When your roof is placed on your home, the nails in one layer of shingles should be hidden under the next layer of shingles. If your shingles are not applied properly and a nail head is left exposed, little drops of water can seep in around it. If you're comfortable climbing on your roof, you can pound down the nail and cover the head with roofing cement to stop the leak.

Blocked Gutters

If your gutters are blocked by debris, water may pool on certain spots on the roof for so long that it starts permeating the shingles. Luckily, there's an easy fix for this: clean out your gutters!

Examine Your Bathroom and Kitchen Vent Fans

Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors, but if your home was built or remodeled by a less than scrupulous contractor, the vent may have been wrongly routed to the attic. Since these exhaust pipes emit humid air, moisture will accumulate in the attic whenever you turn them on.

Turn on your exhaust fan after a shower or after using your oven, and then venture into the attic. Do you see or feel air coming into the attic? If so, you'll need to have a contractor come re-route your exhaust fan and probably replace your moist insulation too.

Consider Your Roof's Ventilation System

Roofing vents are designed to allow warm air to escape from your attic so that it does not become overly moist. Some roofs are designed with soffit vents placed under the eaves, and others have ridge vents placed along the top of the roof. Large roofs often have both types of vents.

If you truly cannot find a distinct leak and your bathroom and kitchen vents are properly placed, then poor ventilation is likely to blame for the moisture buildup in your attic. Your roof vents may be blocked, or there may not be enough of them for the layout of your home. Have your roofing company come investigate; they can clear the vents or install new ones if needed.

Some homes are designed in a way that, no matter how many vents you install, air simply does not flow well though the attic. When this is the case, installing an attic fan, which brings fresh air into the attic, should solve the problem and keep your attic dry.

If your attic is damp even though your shingles appear to be fine, don't just shrug your shoulders and ignore the issue. Attic moisture will soon lead to mold, which is dangerous to your health. Consider the causes above, and schedule an appointment with your roofing company  to get to the bottom of the issue.

On a modern house, replacing the roof is often simple. Many homeowners choose the ever-popular asphalt shingle-it's practical, less expensive, and reliable. When you're restoring a historical home, though, matching the style and materials of the original architecture can really provide the "wow" factor for your curb appeal.

Here's what you need to know about what roofing materials are available for restoration and how you can know you're choosing the best one for your home's style and for your budget.

Know Your Style

Modern roofs are mostly functional, especially those of development homes that share the same easy-tobuild design. Historical homes, however, even when sharing similar blueprints, have unique character, and the roof shares in the aesthetic design. Roofs from the past are the "crown" of the home, and lines and features of each roof style reveals the home's architectural period.

Common historic roof styles include:

Spanish. Spanish-style homes typically feature clay shingles. The roofs are almost flat and are characteristically reddish, and they complement the simple symmetry of Spanish design.

Victorian. Victorian roofs were typically finished with wooden or slate shingles. The roofs themselves have features like rounded domes, turrets, and dormers. The eaves often have decorative trim. Scalloped or stylized shingles are not uncommon.

French. French-style homes have steep roof lines that run parallel to the horizontal lines of the house. The contrast is always in the roof color, which is much darker than the warm, tan plaster exterior common to French-inspired homes. The most common shingle type is wood.

Dutch Colonial. Dutch Colonial roofs are distinctive. They look similar to a barn roof, but they have square dormers to allow for proper headroom on the interior. The lines of this roof are quite steep.

Federal. Federal roofs accompany clean exteriors with simple gables that are neither too steep nor too shallow. The roof perfectly matches the symmetry you can expect from Federal-style homes.

Medieval and Gothic. A steep, pointed gable over the central entrance is a common feature. These roofs often have several gables, but they mirror each other. No part of the exterior is irregular.

Craftsman. Craftsman homes feature clean lines and simple building styles. Most roofs have exposed rafters, wooden shingles, and a shallow pitch. A large dormer is often used to increase space on the top level.

When you know your home's style, you can begin to appreciate how the roof is meant to be just as important as any other visual feature of your home's original charm.

Know Your Materials

Wood is often the default shingle of choice for historic homes, but in some areas and for some budgets, wood simply is not practical. If you're restoring a Craftsman or Dutch Colonial house, the best choice is wood. But there are some other shingle materials to consider for different styles.

Slate. While the initial investment is high, there is no better choice for Victorian or Gothic homes that feature steep gables. These roofs are made to be admired. The colors of natural stone can vary in the roof, providing visual interest. Slate lasts decades with proper maintenance.

Metal. Some Federal- and Colonial-style homes will look perfectly restored with a simple metal roof. For fancier homes, copper is the best choice. For homes that have a more rustic, farmhouse feel, choose tin or steel. These can be painted to give an aged patina look, with traditional crimped edges to give the "lined" look of historic roofs.

Asphalt. Yes, asphalt shingles could still work for your home. But instead of the typical shingle, ask your roofing company about custom or specialty shingle shapes. For example, the scallops that were common on Victorian homes can be mimicked with asphalt.

Rubber. Rubber roofing is a fairly new product, but it can be made to look like slate or even smooth wood shakes. Since rubber roofing is made from recycled tires, it is a cost-effective alternative to real slate or wood.

Clay or cement tiles. These can be made to look like slate and will match the architectural style and color of nearly any old house.

For more information on choosing a period-authentic roof for your historic home, contact us at Eagle Exteriors.