When It’s Time for a New Roof

It’s not always obvious when you need a new roof. For instance, just because your ceiling has a leak, doesn’t mean your entire roof must go. Knowing the factors that determine whether you’ll need a roof repair or replacement is important for any homeowner. Consider the following:

Missing Shingles

Many homeowners think a few shingles blown off during a storm isn’t a big deal. In fact, it can indicate that your roof is damaged. Functionally, there may be no issue simply replacing a few shingles lost in a storm. However, checking to ensure there isn’t an underlying problem is always a good idea. If shingles can no longer stay on the roof due to damage to the roofing underlayment or roof itself, that’s a bigger issue.

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Roof Age

The typical lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is around 20 to 25 years. This lifespan can vary greatly, though. If there’s a single layer of shingles and they were installed on a new roof, that lifespan may be accurate. If you have several layers of shingles and the roof beneath is over 20-years-old, it’s likely a new roof is in the cards. Another factor is ventilation. If a roof is lacking proper ventilation, it can drastically reduce its lifespan.

Shingles Showing Damage

Take a look at your shingles. If they’re cracked, curled, or buckled, it’s time to replace. Looking even closer can reveal if you’ve been losing granules from your shingles. Those granules are there to protect the roof from harmful UV rays, but can be lost due to prolonged exposure to the elements. You may also notice single granules showing up in your gutters. Harsh winters, wind, heavy rain, and hail can loosen granules. This is another sign that a new roof is needed.

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Roof Sagging

This one’s pretty obvious, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it. This is generally a sign of a major structural issue. Decking in the attic could be the culprit, but it could be a much bigger problem: foundation supports. The longer you wait, the worse this will get and this is the kind of issue that can get worse quickly.


Have you been recognizing any of these warning signs? Give us a call today!