How Do You Know When Your Roof Needs To Be Replaced?

qualified workman in uniform work wear using air or pneumatic nail gun and installing asphalt or bitumen shingle on top of the new roof under construction residential building

How old is your roof? Have you ever had it replaced since you’ve owned your home? The average asphalt shingle roof lasts between 20 and 25 years. If yours is older than that, it may be time to have it replaced. But age alone is not enough to warrant roof replacement. You should wait until your roof actually needs it. 

How do you know when your roof needs to be replaced? Here’s how to inspect your roof for signs of damage. 

Start in the Attic

The easiest way to check for roof damage is to go up in your attic. First, go up on a sunny day. Take a good flashlight with you and inspect the ceiling of your attic, which is usually the closest to the actual roof. Look for dark spots or streaks in the wood that may indicate a leak. Turn off the attic lights and flashlight and look for places where you see sunlight through the roof. This indicates that there are thin spots or missing shingles. Go up again on a rainy day with your flashlight. Look and listen for leaks that may not have been noticeable on a sunny day. 

Inspect Your Roof From a Distance

Stand back from your house far enough that you can see the entire roof. Look for missing shingles, discolored spots, or areas that look low or saggy, which could indicate the need for roof replacement. It is not always possible to see everything from a distance, but it is a good, safe way to get an overview without taking a ride in a helicopter or flying a drone with a camera over the roof. Consider taking binoculars with you if you have them.  

Get on a Ladder for a Closer Look 

If you feel safe doing so, and you have a ladder that will reach, climb up to your roof to get a better look. You may find missing shingles, peeling shingles, cracked shingles, or other signs that the shingles are wearing out. Inspect the condition of your gutters while you’re up there and look for shingle granules. A lot of granules in the gutters is an indication that the shutters are deteriorating. If you see any low spots you can reach from the ladder, push gently to see if the roof gives or feels soft in those areas, which indicates a leak.  

But whatever you do, don’t walk on your roof. If there are weak spots you could fall through or at the very least make those spots worse. In fact, it is never a good idea to walk on your roof because doing so can cause damage. Leave roof repair to the professionals who have experience with roof safety. 

Look for Moss, Mold, or Fungi

Moss may grow naturally in moist areas, as well as mold or fungi, but you don’t want them growing on your roof. The growth of any of these on your roof suggests too much moisture that could lead to or indicate a leak. A common mistake is to use a pressure washer to clean the shingles, which could actually damage the roof. It is better to gently scrub with a brush and rinse it away with a hose. However, moss growth may be a sign that it is already too late and that roof replacement is imminent. 

Professional Roof Inspection

The best way to determine whether or not your roof needs to be replaced is to have it inspected by a professional roofing contractor. They can give you an indication of whether your roof needs minor repairs or a complete replacement. Age plays a big part in the recommendation. If a roof is relatively new, repair may be sufficient. But if the roof is already 20 years old or more, damage indicates an aging roof that should really be replaced to prevent further damage. 

Trust Your Roof to Weatherguard Roofing

Do you have concerns about the condition of your roof? Weatherguard Roofing can conduct a thorough inspection of your roof to determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. A few missing shingles on an otherwise solid roof is an easy repair. But soft spots, multiple leaks, or overall signs of a worn out roof could mean a complete roof replacement is necessary. We will give you our best recommendation and an estimate for services for you to consider. We also provide financing to make the project more affordable. 

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