How To Know If Your Roof Needs To Be Replaced

Snow and rain flow through valleys and into gutters.

How to know if your roof needs to be replaced. One easy way to be sure you need a roof replacement is if your roof is older than 20 years old. Review your home improvement records to see how long ago the roof was replaced or reshingled. If previous roof repairs were installed over the top of your existing roof a practice known as overlaying you should definitely think about a roof replacement. If bald patches exist on the roof assess the under layer for damage before replacing any shingles.

Visible signs of aging on a 3 tab asphalt shingle roof. Knowing when a roof was installed and what it s made of offers insight into how much life it has left. Moss growth will shorten the lifespan of your roof but it doesn t necessarily indicate roof replacement. If your roof shingles are falling apart or missing in this area it s a definite sign you need a new roof.

If the valley is compromised you could be susceptible to roof leaks. Inspect your roof s shingles for cracking or buckling. For example if your roof is not properly ventilated it can negatively impact your shingles. Valleys are one of the most important areas of your roof.

See if any stray shingles have made their way into the gutters. If you ve lived in your home for a long time you may know your roof s age. If your roof is nearing its typical replacement age you should probably start thinking about your next roof. The roof just looks old and worn.

You can keep patching until a bigger issue presents itself but if a roof starts to look like a checkerboard people often opt to replace the whole thing. While many shingles today are produced for durability many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. After all it keeps water out of the building. The roof is arguably the most important component of your house.

Loose or missing shingles need to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid serious roof damage. If not keep an eye out for your neighbor s getting roof replacements. And while nobody likes having to pay to replace a roof the critical and aesthetic function it serves should help ease the pain of spending 8 000 to 20 000 on the work. How much time you ve got left.