Shingles and other materials are not meant to last forever. There will be damages from wind, rain, and other inclement weather, as well as just aging that can leave the shingles on your home damaged. When a roof is damaged, moisture and water and heat is allowed to enter your home more easily, and that can lead to leaks, mold growth, and many other problems you do not want.
If you are like most homeowners, you may be overlooking the signs it is time to change your roof.
Roofing should not wait to be replaced, especially if you see the following things:
A Sagging Ceiling or Rooftop
One sign that cannot be ignored is a sagging ceiling and/or roof. If your house has that much damage, then you are going to need more than a few new nails and shingles on your home. Sagging is a sign that there has been an excessive amount of water leaking through the layers of roofing materials and getting into the internal structure of your home.
Moisture will begin to build up and soaks through the ceiling. The integrity of the ceiling begins to fail. While this does not necessarily mean you will suffer from support damage and need extensive repairs, the possibility is there. You do not want to wait if you see your roof sagging.
That said, a new roof is absolutely necessary in this case.
Shingle Granules Everywhere
Here is another reason to check your gutters: Granules. The granules from asphalt shingles are meant to reflect UV rays from the top of your house. These granules are not invincible and may come loose when debris or hail hits the roof. When this happens, you might find loads of granules in your gutters or around the place where the downspouts drain out. If you see a lot, you need to change your roof.
Visible Signs of Water Damage
Aside from sagging, another thing to look out for is interior or exterior water damage from water. You will notice dark streaks or spots wherever water has begun to seep into the interior walls. Sometimes, there will be visibly wet spots that are damp to the touch. Paint on the ceiling may bubble. Plaster might begin to chip away as water loosens it up.
If you see interior water damage, the best thing you can do to prevent damage from spreading is poke a hole in the affected area. This will allow the moisture to drain out.
However, water damage is very serious and should never be disregarded. If you have water damage, there is a chance your whole home could be impacted.
Windows and Doors That Stick
It may seem odd, but if your windows refuse to open and close or the door is getting stuck in the jamb, it could mean your roof is beginning to fail. Sticking windows and doors point to additional humidity inside your home. If the problem goes unchecked, it will continue to worsen and lead to other signs on this list, like visible water damage.
Your Roof Is Older Than 20 Years
Age alone can be a determining factor in whether or not you need to change your roofing, even if there are no other signs. Any roof that is around 20-25 years of age will need to be replaced sooner than later. Although different materials will last longer than others, such as architectural shingles lasting longer than regular 3-tab shingles, it also depends on maintenance and damage.
If you don’t know whether to replace the shingles, shakes, or tiles on your home, you should get it inspected first.
Missing, Curling, or Torn Shingles
Once a roof has been fatally damaged or reached the end of its lifespan, you will start to see blatant signs that you need a new roof. First, the vulnerable shingles will become distorted and start flaking off like sunburned skin. You don’t want that, because it leaves the underlayment exposed to moisture.
Aside from plainly missing shingles, you should be on the lookout for curling or buckling shingles. These are very obvious. You will see the ends of shingles curling when there is moisture present in the space underneath. That cause the roofing materials to peel away from the underlayment or for the nails holding down the shingles to rise up and out of the roof decking.
Moss Covers The Roof
As cool as it might seem to have a green roof, it is actually damaging the roofing materials. Moss or algae is also a clear sign that the shingles or tiles or other materials have been exposed to moisture, are damaged, and need repairing. When you have moss and moisture sitting atop your home, you are just asking for the underlying protection to be damaged or for your roof to sag.
If You Note Any of These Signs, Don’t Wait!
You need to act now if you spot any of the signs on this list. Because they clearly mean it is time to change your roof. Waiting will only make the problem more expensive, so contact a professional roofing contractor today to learn what can be done.
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