7 Signs that Your Roof Needs Replacing

This is one of the most apparent signs that your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan. Whether it’s a storm or high winds, your shingles can blow off of the roof when they’ve started to weaken over the years.

When shingles go missing, it will expose your underlying roofing materials to the elements, including a lot of moisture. This will result in rot forming throughout your roof and can eventually compromise its integrity. Not to mention, it can be challenging and expensive to fix, depending on the severity of the rot.

If you notice any missing shingles on your roof, you should consider calling a professional to check it out. They may just need to be replaced, but it can be a sign that you need a new roof.

After years of wear and tear from moisture, heat, and freeze/thaw cycles, it’s not uncommon for your shingles to begin cracking and curling. This is typically caused by insufficient ventilation or double-layering of shingles. When your shingles suffer, your roof suffers.

If you notice that your shingles are broken, cracking, or curled up, call a professional as soon as possible to evaluate the damage.

Otherwise known as a nail-over, double-layering shingles is one of the worst ways to repair your roof. It can be cheap, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Double-layering is when another layer of roofing material is installed over the existing roof. This is incredibly ineffective and can cause more damage to your home than it helps. When new shingles are installed over already rotting or damaged material, it will shorten your roof’s lifespan. This occurs because it adds significantly more weight to your house. The additional layer also causes your roof to absorb more heat and moisture, causing the material to breakdown much faster.

Not to mention, it will wind up costing you more when it’s time to replace your roof because two layers now need to be removed instead of one. If your roof has been double-layered, it’s best to go ahead and call a pro because the only way to know the extent of the damage to your roof is to remove all the materials and inspect it.

Whether it’s shingle granules settled in the bottom of the gutters or whole chunks of shingles clogging them, your gutters are an easy way to check your roof’s health.

Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year to ensure they do their job of keeping rainwater off of your roof and preventing water damage to the rest of your house. When you’re cleaning your gutters, keep an eye out for shingle granules or pieces of roofing material. These could be indicators that your roof is failing and needs replacement.

If you have your gutters cleaned by a professional, they should alert you if they discover any of these materials in your gutters, but be sure to ask just to be safe.

The purpose of flashing is to prevent water from getting underneath your roof around chimneys, vent pipes, and the valleys of your roof. If this is damaged, it can cause severe water damage to your roof. Keep an eye out for damaged, rusted, or missing pieces of flashing in these areas. If you see any, call a professional to evaluate the situation.

The appearance of moss or mold on your roof can be an indicator of more severe issues. Though to some, this can be their vision of a quaint home out of a fairy tale, it can be more sinister than that.

Moss and mold result from moisture finding its way into places that it usually shouldn’t on your roof, such as underneath shingles or between your roof layers. This moisture becomes a breeding ground for mold and moss that will grow and damage your roof from the inside out.

If you see moss or mold growing on your roof, have a professional clean it, and inspect the roof for more severe damage. You might just need the cleaning, but it’s always a possibility that the damage has already been done.

This one is less of a sign and more of a general rule to follow. If your roof was installed correctly with quality materials, you could expect around 12 to 15 years of useful service from it. However, if your roof is nearing the end of that timeline, you should consider having it replaced before it ends up costing you more than it’s saving.

It can be challenging to determine when exactly your roof needs to be replaced. However, if you keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs, you can stay on top of it. Be sure to look out for missing shingles, curling shingles, double-layered shingles, roofing material in your gutters, damaged flashing, and moss or mold growth. Always keep the age of your roof in mind as well! If you notice any of these signs, call a professional right away!