It’s never fun to think about replacing your roof, but the lid on your house has many ways of telling you it could be time to consider it, from the obvious to the understated.
It’s also important to know when the current roof was installed and its expected lifespan. Asphalt shingles, the most common type of roofing, typically last 20 to 25 years and these tips are mainly geared toward them.
These are some of the signals:
Roof leaks — Major leaks and water damage inside your home are perhaps the most blatant indicators that your roof needs attention.
While smaller leaks can be patched by a roofer or as a DIY project, they’re generally not a good sign about the overall condition of the roof. If noticing water damage is a frequent event or you’ve had a major roof failure it’s time to take action.
Sagging roof — This is a huge red flag but can be easy to miss, especially if you aren’t comfortable climbing up there yourself (and if you do, be careful to not put any additional weight on a saggy section).
Roofs can sag due to age, and faulty engineering or installation, among other factors. If you or a friend have a decent-quality drone and a license, you can take a look for sagging or other flaws that wouldn’t otherwise be visible or hire a roofing company to do it for you.
Missing or damaged shingles — A handful of missing shingles doesn’t mean you immediately need a full roof replacement, but they should be replaced quickly to prevent any further damage.
Anything more could signify bigger problems with the integrity of your roof. The top layer of shingles peeling up at the corners or lifting at the center also is bad news.
Gutter grit — Asphalt shingles are embedded with grainy particles that shield them from the sun’s harshest rays. If you’re seeing more and more of these flowing out of the gutters, you could be due for a replacement.
