Gordon JamesThe roof of your home is one of the most important parts of the building. The roof keeps out the weather and makes sure that your home does not experience structural problems that can lead to its demise. Without a roof, it can be argued; you do not have a home.
This is why it is so important that your home’s roof be in good condition at all times. Many people falsely believe that a roof does not need attention until it needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case, and maintenance issues can lead to the need to replace your roof ahead of time. Sometimes roofing also just ages to the point that it is time to replace it.
If you think you might be seeing the warning signs that your roof needs to be replaced, you need to read on for more information before contacting roofing service!
Warning Signs That It May Be Time for a New Roof
The Age of Your Roof
The first and most critical factor related to the replacement of a roof is its age. Roofing is only good for so many years, even if you have been doing the necessary upkeep to ensure that your roof is in good health. Roofing lifespans can vary based on type, but composition shingles last 12-20 years, and wood shingles last about 20-25. Asphalt will give you 15-30 years, while metal roofing lasts for 50-75 years.
You should have a certificate that shows the date that your roof was constructed. This will tell you if you have reached beyond the lifespan of your current roofing materials. Even if you have not started to see issues within your home to do with the roof, you need to plan to replace it if the roof is older than its normal lifespan.
Water Issues and Water Damage
This is probably the most classic symptom of something wrong with your roof. If you have leaks that are making themselves known inside your home, or there is water standing and collecting in the attic or on top of the shingles, this is a key sign that your roof needs to be replaced. Roofing that allows water inside the structure of your home can cause more damage than many people realize.
In addition, the water damage that might be impacting the structural integrity of your walls can also undermine the supports of your roof. This can lead to the roof falling in overtime. You do not want to attend to a situation where the roof has fallen into the main part of your home, so replacing your roof at the first signs of water trouble is important.
Sagging
Roofing can break down over time, especially if leaks undermine the integrity of the shingles or when exposed to the sun without the right maintenance. Sagging can also be related to structural problems with how the roof was constructed in the first place. So when you see sagging in your roofline, you know that you need to get a roofer out immediately.
Sagging can indicate an area of your roof that might collapse, and you do not want that! If you have noticed some sagging in the roofline of your home, you will need to take action to have at least this section replaced before major issues damage your home.
Dark Spots
When you see dark spots on your roof, this can indicate dirt, mold, or moisture. Unfortunately, this is sometimes a sign of airborne algae that can’t attach to the roof. This is most common in asphalt shingled homes. While these algae will not at first cause issues for your roof’s integrity, they can eventually lead to moisture collection on top of the shingles.
This is also an unsightly problem that makes your roof and home have less curb appeal. Again, this is more common in places that experience a lot of precipitation throughout the year and in homes close to trees.
Shingle Damage
Missing or damaged shingles are a prime indicator that your roof is not in good health. This might be an issue in only one small area of your roof, but even if there is only one section that is showing this damage, you need to have a roofer come look at your roof. This might be caused by faulty products used during your roof’s installation, wear and tear over time, tree branches rubbing on the roof, or animals that have broken through the roof to get to the attic space.
These broken shingles will almost always allow water to get into your home, and you might find that a wind storm will blow them right off your roof. This is almost always a sign that the shingles in your roof are breaking down, and you will want to replace your roof before large sections suffer from this issue. Broken shingles related to animal damage might be able to be replaced without any other work being done to the rest of the roof.
Caring For Your Roof is Important
If you have noticed some imperfections in your roofline and signs that your shingles might fail, you should not wait to have someone inspect your roof. Replacing your roof before an emergency is a good strategy to prevent major damage to your home. This also allows you to plan a little financially for this project to be undertaken. If you know that your roof is close to the end of its lifespan, you need to make sure to plan for this necessary cost in the near future.
For many homeowners, the roof is the last thing they are thinking about with regard to caring for their property. Make sure that you do not forget about your roof when you are planning for your annual home care costs.
Gordon James
