4 Signs It’s Time To Completely Replace the Roof

It’s easy to think that a roof is one of those things you can ignore, and it will last forever. After all, it doesn’t seem like there are many signs that something might be wrong with your roof unless the shingles start to curl or you find a leak in the attic one of the rare times you might be up there. But don’t let this fool you. There are plenty of clues that indicate it’s time for a new roof. Here are four signs it’s time to replace the roof completely.

Buckled or Curled Shingles

Perhaps the most common sign that it’s time to replace the roof completely is if you find loose or curled shingles on or ripped from your roof, typically after a storm or a bout of heavy rains. When the wind whips up, especially during a storm, it can lift and unstick your shingles. If your shingles are at all broken, ripped, bent, or curled in on themselves than they’re considered damaged. Loosening or lifting shingles might also be a sign of the roof’s age. Either way, if you notice damaged or missing shingles, it’s best to get them replaced as soon as possible, especially if they rest over a seam in your roof, otherwise known as the flashing on your roof.

Leaking Roof

Do you have a few small leaks here and there? Either in your attic or the top floor of your house? Perhaps the roof is leaking from several different locations at once? These are also signs it’s time to replace the roof completely. No matter what, one leaky spot means you need a new roof. Asphalt shingles can stay watertight for up to 5 years if they aren’t exposed to the elements, but even if they do stay watertight for this amount of time, it is still a good idea to have a roofing company, someone like Able-Warnecke Roofing Inc, replace your roof completely just in case.

Damaged Flashing

If you have a chance to inspect your roof and notice things like broken, buckled, or completely missing flanges, signs of rust or corrosion, or dents and cracks in the flashing, then it’s time to get your roof replaced. All of these things can lead to water or large weather debris getting into your home, holes to develop in the roof, and generally compromise the structural integrity of your roof. The flashing is attached to the seams and edges of your roof, meaning that if it’s damaged then there’s an easy avenue for water or pests to get inside your home.

Age of Roof

Finally, there’s the matter of the age of your roof. Generally speaking, something like asphalt shingles should last anywhere from about 15-25 years. This could change depending on the weather or whatever damage your roof might endure during those years. If your roof has been the way it is for longer than that, it might be time to think about replacing your roof. This is because with age, things wear down, and you don’t want to have a worn out roof protecting your house since it’s more likely to suffer damage compared to a new, stronger roof. This is also a great way to get rid of any minor or even cosmetic damage to your roof that wasn’t worth fixing before. The installation date of your roof can usually be found somewhere on the shingles themselves, or in some cases, you may find a metal tag attached to one of the rafters with this information.

In conclusion, there are several signs it’s time to replace the roof completely, but these are some of the most common. Your roof is one part of your home that you shouldn’t ignore, and remember, a new roof only costs a fraction of a new house.