7 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Roof

There are quite a few reasons why you would want to replace or at least repair your roof. Even just a leak is a problem that should be fixed immediately. However, how do you know, when it’s time to commit to replacing your roof? There are several signs you should look out for. Today, we hope to help you figure that out, as we have put together a list of 7 signs it’s time to replace your roof, and we hope it helps you avoid any serious issues with your roofing.

1. Your roof’s age

One very easy sign it’s time to replace your roof is if it’s getting old. Generally speaking, while materials can have an effect on longevity, a roof should be replaced every 20 or so years. Some materials last longer, and roof maintenance is a big factor too. Still, in general, if your roof is older than 20 years, you should consider having it replaced. Of course, when looking for residential roofing replacement services, you should only consider the best roofers. After all, the roof is one of the most important parts of a house, so you should be careful. This is a job that shouldn’t be left up to amateurs, and you should make sure the people you are hiring are reliable and up to the task.

2. Curled or buckled shingles

In order to be effective, shingles need to lie flat on the roof. If your shingles start buckling or curling or are otherwise damaged, it’s time to replace your roof. If you think your roof is nearing the end of its life, start checking your gutters for shingle granules. When shingles start to get damaged, granules tend to fall into the gutters around your house. However, consider cleaning out your attic before you hire someone to replace your roof. An easy way to do this is to rent out a storage unit until the roof is replaced, and you can get help in no time when it comes to packing everything up. Professionals that offer packing services will have your belongings well organized quite quickly.

3. Missing tiles or shingles

As we mentioned before, damaged shingles are a bad thing. If some of your shingles are completely missing off your roof, that’s a pretty clear sign it’s time to replace your roof. You can spot this problem easily, and if ignored, it will lead to leaks. At best, you can simply replace the missing shingles and keep going. However, missing shingles or tiles are a pretty clear sign the roof is nearing the end of its usefulness, and a replacement is probably the best call.

A close up of an old house roof—it’s time to replace your roof

4. Rusty roof valleys

A roof valley is, typically, a V-shaped metal channel that can be found in the folds of a roof. The purpose of a roof valley is to direct snow and rain off of the roof and into the gutters. When roof valleys get rusty, your roof can start leaking into your home, and if this is ignored, it can lead to much more serious problems with your roofing. As such, it goes without saying that if you notice rust on your roof valleys, it’s time to replace them. However, spotting this can be a bit difficult before it becomes a problem. As such, getting a roof inspection to make sure your roof doesn’t have such issues is a great idea.

5. Moss and sagging

Trapped moisture can cause a lot of damage to your roof, as well as what’s under it. Therefore, when a roof starts trapping moisture, it should be replaced immediately. There are a few easy ways to spot this problem: check the insulation on your attic, and if it’s moist, you likely have a problem. Additionally, look for moss or mold growing along the roof, as they are good indicators of leaks and trapped moisture. Finally, if your roof is sagging in places, then it’s time for it to be replaced immediately, as sagging is a clear sign of structural damage. Experts from movesafari.com note that some of their clients had to move out of their homes because they ignored this for too long, and it led to further structural damage to the home.

6. Gaps in flashing

Vents, chimneys, and skylights have flashing in order to protect against leaks. If there are any breaks, cracks, or gaps in this flashing, water has a direct way into your home. It is especially important to make sure flashing around your chimney isn’t damaged, as it tends to be made from tar or cement. Metal flashing tends to last longer, but you should be just as careful to keep it maintained. And when you need to replace it, always contact professionals to do it for you. There are dangers of DIY roofing projects which you shouldn’t take lightly.

7. Sunlight through roof boards

A particularly easy way to tell if your roof is damaged is to visit your attic on a sunny day. If you can see sunlight getting through the boards in your roof, it’s time to get it replaced. If sunlight can get through the boards, so can water, and leaks can lead to much more serious issues if ignored for a long time. As such, you should get the problem fixed before it becomes much more expensive to deal with.