Top 7 Signs You Need a New Roof

Having your own home or building is wonderful, though sometimes issues can pop up that you have no idea how to handle. The replacement of a roof is a rare home improvement need that fits into this category. Because roofs tend to last for a long time and deteriorate slowly, it can be challenging to know when a roof needs replacing. Because they need to be replaced so rarely, many homes and building owners may not have experience with the process.

The following is a list of seven things you should be keeping your eyes open for if you find yourself responsible for a house or building. If you notice any of the following, it might be time for you to look into some roofing options.

1. Your roof is 20 or more years old

Asphalt shingle roofing is designed to last somewhere between twenty and thirty years. When your roof starts approaching its twenty-fifth birthday, you need to be keeping a closer eye on it as there might be problems that are not visible.

If you are unsure of how old your roof is, you might be able to find it in all those papers you saved from the purchase of the house. This is often something people research when planning on selling their home as the condition and age of the roof is something that can affect the overall value of the building. If you don’t have this information kicking around somewhere, you might be able to get in contact with the previous owners to figure out when the roof was last replaced.

2. Sagging Roof

A sagging roof is a serious issue. Typically, if you can see sagging, this means that there is a structural problem with your home. This doesn’t always mean you are in danger when inside the house, but it can. The sooner you can get someone to come and take a look, the better.

3. Curly Shingles

If the corners of your shingles have curled inward, towards the roof, or outward, towards the sky, this is a sign of intense weathering. It also hints that leaks are in your near future.

Curling shingles is caused by age and wear from the weather. In one sense, this type of deterioration isn’t ever wholly avoidable, but some things can be done to mitigate this type of degradation in the future. Depending on where you live, you might want to look into All Seasons Insulation when replacing the roof to slow the process of weathering in the future. Different climates have different roofing requirements, and a professional roof inspection will let you know what a roof in your area needs.

4. Shingles Coming Off

If there was a specific incident that caused the loss of a shingle or two, such as a large branch falling during a storm, replacing just those shingles is likely fine. This being said, if shingles are consistently coming loose or falling off, it is time to start looking into new roofing.

Heavy winds are the most common cause of shingles falling off the roof, but walking on shingles can also be the culprit. Ideally, you would not have anyone walking on your roof at all.

If this must be done for some reason, try to keep it minimal to protect your shingles. And for goodness sake, if you’re going to be walking around up there, be safe about it! When it comes to fall-related fatalities, falling off of a roof accounts for one-third of the deaths. Never climb onto your roof without telling someone nearby what you’re doing. Make sure that someone is keeping an eye or ear out for you.

5. Cracking Shingles

Almost always caused by wind damage, cracked shingles are a sign that it might be time to replace your roof. If it’s just one or two shingles, you can replace these without redoing the entire roof, but if it is widespread, the elements have begun to damage your roof. Like shingles falling off, this is not entirely avoidable, but can be curtailed with weather-appropriate choices.

6. The Granules Are Coming Off

This one might be harder to spot, but if you look in the gutters and find asphalt granules, you need to start thinking about replacing your roof. The granules are actually what protects your roof from the sun. Without them, the shingles will begin to bake and their quality will quickly be on the decline.

7. Mossy Or Algae-Covered Shingles

Moss and algae don’t damage the quality of the shingles, so you could hypothetically do nothing and your roof will stay completely intact. This being said, many people despise the look of a mossy roof and seek to replace the roof for cosmetic reasons when algae begin to treat their roof as a home.

facade of home with manicured lawn, and backdrop of trees and blue sky

If you are still unsure whether or not your roof needs replacement, you can contact a professional for a roof inspection. A roof in good condition will protect the interior of your home from water damage. It will also save you money on utilities by improving insulation, cutting down on the energy required to cool or heat your home. More than that, having a young, healthy roof increases the value of your property.