In this newest installment of the Roofing & Exteriors’ “How To” FAQ series, we provide you with some great answers to the question of what homeowners should give themselves this holiday season. Make this a December to remember!

This Homeowner Roofing & Exterior FAQs Answered series is all about helping you to provide answers to common questions your customers are likely to ask. Share this article with your salespeople and call staff to give them some good talking points to use with customers. Feel free to modify these answers and post them on your own business website FAQ page, as well!

Last time we answered some questions homeowners typically raise about metal roofing. Here, we’ll look at why a roof replacement is a great gift to give yourself this holiday season!

The Best Gift to Give Yourself This Holiday Season Is…

A roof replacement! In case you hadn’t already put a new roof on your gift-giving list, maybe you should. Many responsible adults will get themselves a gift from time to time—the fact of the matter is that you know what you like and need better than anybody else does! To that end, why not consider getting yourself a present which doesn’t sit underneath the tree, but rather sits on top of your house. If you’re willing to spend some on yourself this holiday season, better to give you and your family a gift which really keeps on giving: A new roof replacement.

How to Recognize Whether You Need a New Roof

If your current roof has seen more than a few seasons of service, it might be better to go ahead and plan a new roof replacement now, rather than waiting for your roof to spring a leak and cause damage that can potentially be much more expensive to address. Here are a few telltale signs to look for:

Look for warping, curling, broken, split, loose, or missing pieces or sections. Shingles that display excessive granule loss are another indicator that your roof is really in need of some attention. Any exposed underlayment or decking can quickly result in roof damage and interior damage.

Look for nails or fasteners which are exposed, loose, or have popped up. Each of these is a potential leak source and can reveal improper or faulty installation practices which were followed by your last roofing contractor.

Don’t just look at the primary roofing material itself; pay attention to the other elements of your roof system, too. Metal flashing that’s missing, loose, corroded, or rusted needs to be addressed promptly.

Cracks in or around chimneys, vent pipes and skylights are known roof leak sources. They may need to be resealed, or they just need to be replaced.

If you see any moss or mildew on your roof, that’s not a good sign. It means moisture is being retained somewhere, which can also lead to roof rot.

Clogged or damaged gutters and downspouts can lead to roof damage, too. If you’ve cleaned out your gutters but they still aren’t functioning properly, that’s an issue you really don’t want to sit on.

If you experienced any roof damage during the most recent storm season, you absolutely don’t need to put off needed roof repair or replacement. The longer you wait, the more roof-related problems you are sure to experience.

If you see any leaks or moisture stains in your attic, on your ceiling, or around any interior vents or fans, these are issues that simply won’t fix themselves. Any indications of a water leak inside can be a sure sign there’s a roof issue that needs addressing on the outside!

Give Yourself the Gift of Home Improvement This Holiday Season

No matter what your current roof issues are, it’s best to partner with a local roofing contractor you can trust to do the job right. The holiday season may not seem like the best time for roof work, but the fact of the matter is that winter is a GREAT time for a roof replacement. Since this is a typically slow season for construction projects, your roof work can actually be completed faster than in summer, fall, or spring. And speaking of spring, another benefit of acting now is that whenever the rains and storms return, you can rest a little easier knowing that your roof is ready to handle whatever Mother Nature decides to throw your way.