Time for a new roof? Look for these telltale signs.
May 17, 2016
When walking up to your home, how often are you looking up? Do you ever notice your roof? Look for these telltale signs that it’s time for a new roof.
#1. Sagging. A sagging roof is caused by rotting boards–a sure sign that you need to replace the roof before it caves in.
#2. Buckled, cracked, missing, or discolored shingles. A healthy roof has all of its shingles intact, lying flat and with no discoloration. If your shingles are showing signs of wear, that means your roof isn’t as strong as it should be.
#3. Cracked flashing. The seams in your roof are sealed with flashing. Check the areas around the chimney, vents, pipes, and skylights to make sure there are no cracks that could allow leaks, which weaken your roof.
#4. Granules in the gutters. The granules from your asphalt shingles tend to flake off with age. Check your gutters to see if you have a build-up there.
#5. Moss. Moss grows in damp areas. If you see it on your roof, you have too much moisture there, which could deteriorate your roof.
#6. Light leaks. Go inside your attic and look for daylight shining through. That means you have leaks, which could become much worse if not fixed.
An asphalt-shingled roof should last 20 to 25 years. If your current roof was installed over an existing one, expect a lifespan of about 20 years. Remember, these are just estimates. Check for these telltale signs to determine that it’s time to replace your roof.
