When to Replace Roof: 7 Major Signs

Did you know that the average asphalt shingle roof lasts around 20 years? Your home’s roof is one of the most important parts of the entire structure. It protects the superstructure of the home and keeps it from sustaining the water damage that weakens it.

One of the most vital parts of being a homeowner is knowing when to replace roof on your home and the price to replace roof. It is sometimes stressful when you discover that you’re in need of a new roof and need to hire a roof replacement contractor near you.

The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect place to learn more about how to replace a roof, roof replacement cost, and the signs that your house is ready for a new roof installation. Continue reading this article to learn about the seven key signs that will tell you that the time is now.

1. Check Your Attic

One of the biggest signs that you’re in need of a new roof is streaks on your attic floor and light shining through your roof during the daylight hours. If you’re worried that your home needs a new roof then your attic is the best place to start your search for evidence that you have roof damage.

It is a good idea to take a flashlight up with you in order to inspect your attic floor in a thorough manner. Use your eyes and your flashlight to look for any signs that there are cracks or holes in your roof. These cracks and holes will lead to water damage that could cost you tons of money and cause major damage to your home’s walls and floors.

2. Check Your Home’s Records

The records for your home should indicate the last time that the roof was replaced as well as any prominent roof maintenance during the lifetime of your home. Your home improvement records are a great indicator for figuring out if and when you need to get a new roof for your home.

Another big factor that will help when it comes to your home’s records is that they should provide insight into the materials used for your roof’s construction. Some types of roofs last much longer than others. Metal roofs last for up to 70 years when taken care of and maintained.

Knowing the materials that your roof is made out of and when it got installed will paint a much clearer picture of when you’re due for roof replacement on your home. If your home uses asphalt shingles and the roof got installed more than twenty years ago then you need to reach out to a roof replacement contractor as soon as possible.

3. Check Your Shingles

This task might involve getting on your roof using a ladder, though you could also use a drone if you own one. If you have a roof that uses asphalt shingles then checking them to see if they’re worn or damaged by the sun is a great indicator that you need either roof repairs or a roof replacement.

Your roof’s shingles are designed to work together and if one of them starts to fail then it will cause damage to the ones around it. Look out for areas with cracked shingles as well as other signs of damage. Buckling is another common type of damage that asphalt shingles experience as a result of severe weather.

It is also a good idea to check your gutters when you’re up on your roof. When your gutters can’t drain the right way it allows water to collect on your roof. This water then seeps under your shingles and causes damage to the wood underneath them.

4. Examine Your Flashing

The flashing on your roof is what the roofing company uses to seal your roof in areas where shingles can’t get applied. Think about the areas on your roof near skylights, vents, and chimney seals. These areas are called the flashing of your home’s roof.

These are perfect points of entry for heavy rain to get into your roof so it is important that you examine these areas on a consistent basis to look for any damage or weathering. The biggest thing to keep your eye out for is cracking in the flashing. Water gets in the cracks and finds its way into the wooden and unprotected part of your home’s roof.

With older homes and older roofs, the roofing company often used cement or tar to help seal the roof. It is possible that your flashing is still in good condition. When you get a new roof be sure to upgrade to metal flashing for more durability and peace of mind.

5. Look for Droops and Sagging

A clear-cut sign that your roof needs to be replaced is when your roof starts to noticeably sag or droop in the middle. This sign shows that your roof has a significant amount of damage in its current state and that further rain and severe weather will prove costly.

This is also a dangerous situation for you and your family because a sagging roof is running out of strength and support. With strong wind and rain, your home’s roof could collapse and put you and your loved ones in a dangerous situation. Be sure to check your attic and roof for rotting wood and sagging spots.

Pay extra close attention to the wooden areas of your roof near the greatest area of droopiness. This is the area that is weakest and most likely to lead to further damage to your home.

6. Keep an Eye Out for Moss

Moss is beautiful and provides that old English countryside appearance to anything that it grows on. That is great when it is growing on the banks of a stream or on a forest floor, but you don’t want moss growing on your home’s roof.

Moss grows on your roof in areas where moisture gets trapped. Where there is moss growing, there is often also mold and fungi. This creates a health issue as well as a sign that your home’s roof is getting damaged and needs to get replaced. It doesn’t take long for trapped moisture to cause the wood of your roof to begin rotting.

As the wood starts to rot, the supports start to give way. This is how you end up with a droopy or sagging roof. In order to prevent the spread of the moss on your roof, you’ll want to scrape it off using a stiff brush and some good old-fashioned elbow grease. You also need to resolve the underlying problems that led to the moss growing on your roof in the first place.

7. Don’t Freak Out

After knowing the results of damaged roofs, it is easy to freak out and grow worried about the state of your home’s roof when you first discover the damage. While having damaged shingles or a small leak in your roof isn’t ideal, it doesn’t mean that you have thousands of dollars of damage to fix and a new roof to pay for.

Often, small leaks and damaged shingles are something that a roof repair contractor can fix in a day or two and for minimal costs. This is especially true if your home’s roof and shingles are still under warranty. If that is the case, you might not have to pay anything in order to get your roof fixed.

One important thing to consider is the age of your roof. If your roof is only a few years old and you find a leak and some damaged shingles then it isn’t a wise investment to get a whole new roof.

It is a different story if your asphalt shingle roof is getting close to twenty years old. At that point, even if you don’t need a replacement, you’re likely to need one soon. It is better to pay for a replacement than to pay for repairs knowing you’ll need a replacement soon anyway.

Now You Know When To Replace Roof

As a homeowner, nothing inspires the same feeling of dread as finding out that your home needs a new roof. The good news is that there are signs to look out for that will tell you when to replace roof at your home. Look for light coming through your roof in the attic as well as signs of water damage.

You’ll also want to make sure that you check your home’s shingles after severe weather and heavy rainfall to makes sure that they’re all still in good shape. Most of all, don’t freak out if you do find damage. If you have a newer roof then you’ll likely need minor repairs that get covered by your warranty.

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