Meta Description: Wondering about when to replace your roof? Here are some signs that tell you when it’s time for a full roof replacement.
Roofs are built to last. Roofing professionals install them over your home and make sure they’re sturdy. Materials used in roofs are also made to be durable. They can withstand outdoor elements for decades.
But some factors can shorten a roof’s expected lifespan. Natural calamities like storms or tornadoes can damage your roof in an instant. Harsh winters or summers could also affect your roof condition. Even occasional winds or trapped moisture could cause your roof to deteriorate faster.
So, when should you replace your roof? Here are the signs that could tell you when a full reroofing is due on your end.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Roof
Missing Shingles
The easiest way to tell if your roof needs replacing is missing shingles.
The winds might have been quite strong lately. Or a storm may have passed your area. Whatever the reason, if your roof is missing a lot of shingles, it’s time to replace it.
Missing shingles may give you less protection for your home. You could get leaks from missing shingles in your roof. Your HVAC system and insulation may also get affected.
But take note that a couple of missing shingles may only need a minor touch-up or a partial replacement. The sooner you notice missing shingles, the easier you can address them.
Curling or Cracked Shingles
Your shingles may still be intact on your roof. But if their edges are curling, it could mean that the asphalt in these shingles is starting to dry up. And when this happens, it usually means that your shingles are getting brittle.
Brittle shingles could also cause cracks to appear in them. And this might also cause your shingles to fall off your roof.
A partial replacement can take care of these issues. But if they’re not addressed immediately, they could cause a lot of damage to your roof.
Moss and Algae
The presence of moss on your roof doesn’t always mean that it needs replacement. Cleaning can often address this issue, especially if the moss is only growing on a small part of your roof.
If moss covers the majority of your roof, though, it might need replacing. Moss may cause moisture to be trapped in the roof, which might eventually cause leaks.
Algae, on the other hand, may cause your roof to have dark spots. They are not that alarming, but they could be bothersome. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, a discolored roof may be a turnoff for potential buyers.
Bald Spots
Bald spots in roof shingles are caused by missing granules.
These missing granules cause dark spots on your light-colored shingles (or vice versa).
Missing granules or bald spots do not make your roof less waterproof. You won’t have to worry about leaks when you have missing granules.
They affect the durability of your roof, though. Having missing granules may speed up your roof wear-out. These bald spots might cause you to replace your roof sooner than expected.
Roof Age
Even if you don’t encounter any of these damages on your roof, you might still be due for a full reroofing soon.
Roofs are subject to wear and tear. If your roof has been up there for about 15–20 years, it might not be in such a good condition anymore.
Get in touch with roofing professionals to have your roof condition assessed.
Roof Replacement
It’s important to check your roof every now and then to make sure it stays in its best possible condition. You’re less likely to need a full roof replacement when you have small damages repaired as soon as you notice them.
Occasional roof cleaning is also a great preventive measure against moss that could damage your roof and cause leaks. You can have roofing professionals clean your roof for you or you can do it yourself. Just be careful when getting up there.
Again, when checking your roof condition to see if it needs replacing, here are the signs to look out for:
- Missing shingles. These could affect your home insulation and HVAC system. They could also cause leaks.
- Curling or cracked shingles. These may indicate that your shingles are starting to get brittle.
- Moss and algae. Moss could get into your shingles and cause your roof to leak. Algae causes discoloration that may affect your home’s appearance.
- Bald spots. Missing granules could make your roof wear out faster.
- Roof age. The wear and tear of your 20-year-old roof may affect its overall condition.
