8 Signs Its Time for Roof Replacement
Your home’s roof is your first line of defense from the elements and is a critical part of the home’s structure. It safeguards the remainder of the house from water damage and exposure to the weather. It’s a good idea to develop a practice of evaluating your property’s roof frequently. A proper home maintenance routine ensures that it remains in excellent shape. Now I’m not going to lie to you, every roof will fail, and a leak will develop at some point. However, you can detect roof issues before they turn into leaks by just checking it often, especially after heavy winds storms and hurricanes. As a home inspector we evaluate roofs every day, in this article we are going to share some signs to look for when determining if it’s time for a roof replacement. Please remember ladders and walking on a roof has some risks, using binoculars to check your roof from the ground is an option or having a professional roofer check your roof can be a safer alternative.
Now, it’s time to determine if your roof is in need of a replacement as you garner knowledge from this article. Let’s dive in to get started!
Is Your Roof Beyond Its Life Expectancy?
Knowing when your roof was installed might help you anticipate how long it will last. If you bought or inherited an older home, it’s likely that you don’t know when it was installed. Your homes closing paperwork and seller disclosures typically lack this information. If your home has had a home inspection or has undergone a wind mitigation inspection, you should be OK. Just make sure to refer back to either of these reports; they routinely outline the age and life expectancy of the roof. As a home inspector, we normally visit your local property appraiser’s office or the county’s building permits office to determine when your home was last re-roofed by reviewing its permits. If your house is relatively new, the roof should be original to the structure and of the same age as the home. (0-10 years). You should not, however, wait for your roof to start giving you warning signs. If you are concerned about the age of your roof, contact a roofing professional to have it evaluated to determine whether it needs to be replaced. Another indicator that it’s time for a roof inspection is if you see your neighbors’ roofs are being replaced.
Is There Granule Build-Up in Gutters?
Although it may appear that your roof is not shedding granules, a buildup of granules in the gutter indicates that it is. The protective coverings of roof shingles tend to separate when a roof ages due to constant exposure to sunshine, long-term use, and moisture from weather. Debris falling from trees on the roof could also speed up its deterioration. We look for these symptoms of separation on the entire roof during a home inspection. When you can see the underlying base material of the shingles or the asphalt covering behind the granules, this is an easy sign. This often looks like black or balding spots on the shingles.
A buildup of granules in the gutter system
Do You Have Cracked Shingles?
On your roof, cracked shingles are fairly frequent and easy to spot. They are most commonly found on the roof’s ridge or peak. Roofing material is frequently bent over each side and fixed down when it is installed at the ridge. When walking on a roof, the ridge is usually the most heavily trafficked section. Cracks are also common along the gutters and at the edges of the roof. As the water sheds down to the ground, these locations see the most water discharge. These cracked shingles can be replaced individually by a roofing contractor but could lead to additional issues if left neglected.
A missing asphalt shingle that is mostly like caused by wind damage
Do You Have Missing Shingles?
Shingles might be missing for a variety of causes. High winds are the most common cause of this phenomenon. Although not all roofing materials are created equal, asphalt shingles are known for blowing away in high winds due to their low wind resistance. As previously discussed, fractured shingles can cause sections of the shingle to fall off completely. This not only exposes the fasteners / nails underlying the missing shingle, but it also exposes the sublayer of shingle materials. These are simple water intrusion locations.
Asphalt shingles cracking on the roof ridge.
Weak Spots in The Roof?
Every week, I walk a lot of roofs, and the sheathing underneath the roof is typically the most telling symptom of a weak roof. The sheathing on your roof is the wood that makes up the roof’s support structure. This is usually plywood sheets or actual boards underlying the roofing materials on most roofs. Observing bounce or hearing snaps or pops in the material is a very severe symptom of sheathing problems. This could be the result of shoddy installation, old sheathing that hasn’t been changed, or previous water intrusions. A roof’s sheathing can often inform you if there are present or prior water leaks when you’re within the attic.
Any Moss or Dark Streaks?
Dark streaks, or algae-caused roof discoloration, occur in varied degrees across the United States, particularly in places exposed to warm, humid temperatures. This can be mistaken for soot, dirt, or tree droppings, albeit most of these only cause limited discoloration. It’s most frequent in the eastern United States, where it grows on roofs with a northern exposure. Moss can be identified by its green hue and the fact that it grows on roof surfaces that don’t get much sunshine, particularly in cool, moist areas. Moss growth isn’t always only a cosmetic concern, it holds moisture against the surface of your roof and, if ignored, will harm your roofing components over time. It’s crucial to remember that your roof’s purpose is to drain water off and away from your home, not to hold it and cause leaks.
Has the Roof Been Re-Roofed?
While “re-roofing” may appear to be a blanket term for having your roof replaced, it is not. It’s a unique procedure. Roof replacement is both expensive and time-consuming, but “re-roofing” can achieve equivalent effects for a fraction of the price. Re-roofing is the process of replacing an old set of shingles with a new set. Because the roofing contractor will not have to remove and replace the existing roof, it will be far less expensive. One thing to bear in mind while re-roofing is that you can only do it once. A roof that has already been re-roofed cannot have shingles placed to it. If you’ve had your roof re-roofed before, you’ll almost certainly require a complete replacement.
As a home inspector, I’ve seen houses with three levels of roofing shingles stacked on top of one another. This can be a serious problem because it implies that the newest layer’s life span will be drastically shortened as a result of the two layers below it. This can also occur if the work is being done by an unqualified roofer.
Any Moisture Damage in the Attic?
A leak is often undetected until it appears on the drywall ceilings or walls. The damage might be significantly more serious than simple drywall damage at that stage. Multiple elements, such as roofing insulation, trusses, wood framing, and roof sheathing, might be harmed by a leak. When moisture damage is ignored, it can lead to mold and poor air quality. When you discover a leak, the first thing you should do is climb into the attic to assess the extent of the damage. After that, contact your homeowner’s insurance and a skilled roofing contractor to determine the cause of the leak.
Maintain It!
At times, while your roof may look alright it is better to call a trusted roofing company to inspect for hidden leaks and other unnoticeable signs. Are you thinking about their fees? Stay calm! Most roofing contractors provide free inspections. However, if it requires a cost for maintenance, it’s worth it. Often there are many repairs that can be made instead of fully replacing a roof. I strongly recommend though that you research your roofing contractor and the quality of their work.
It’s good to have a home inspection, for figuring out the issues with home maintenance ahead of time can prevent future problems or plan for bigger repairs such as an aged roof.
Home Inspection Services in Winter Park FL
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I found it helpful when you explained that it is better to have a trusted company inspect your roof for things like leaks. I would imagine that it would be a good idea to have your roof inspected at the end of every winter. You would want to do this so that you can make sure that the snow didn’t damage your roof.
It’s good to know that cracked shingles are a bad sign. My husband was cleaning our gutters yesterday afternoon, and he told me about how he has noticed some cracked shingles on our roof, so we were wondering if that was a bad sign. We’ll have to look into hiring a professional roofer that can come and fix them for us!
I like what you said about making sure the fasteners are set in. My roof needs some work done. I’ll have to hire a contractor to put some shingle replacements in.
Thank you for pointing out that damaged shingles may be replaced one at a time by a roofing professional but that if ignored, they can cause more serious problems. My sister said that she saw cracks in her roof. I’ll ask her to hire a professional to replace her roof.
My roof has been having issues, and I’m not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to get a help me out with this. That seems like a good way to ensure that I put everything together properly.
I love how you talk about the importance of keeping your roof in good shape to extend its lifespan. My parents have been noticing some bald spots on their roof and they want to get that fixed before winter. We’ve been looking into finding some professionals to help them with that project.
It’s great that you explained what kind of roofing damage are warning signs that you need replacement. My aunt’s house is very old, and the last time I visited her, I noticed that her roof was missing some shingles, so I think she must read your information immediately. Thanks for describing how fractured shingles could lead to a falling roof.
Thanks for helping me understand that it can be expensive and time-consuming to have a roof replacement. In that case, I need to ask around for roofers with the most reasonable rates to be able to afford it. I just think that I will be needing this procedure done on the house that I inherited, since it is quite an old one. So getting parts replaced before I move my family there would be for our own safety and comfort.
Thank you for letting me know that cracked shingles usually appear on the roof’s ridge or peak. My friend told me that their roof is full of damage. I should advise him to hire an expert in residential roofing to prevent further damage.
Thank you for explaining where you can most commonly find cracked shingles. I’ve been wondering if what I’ve been seeing is cracked shingles. I’ll have to check again tomorrow morning to verify it before calling a roofer to do an inspection.
I love how you point out that having granules in your gutters means your shingles need repair. My parents have been living in their home for a while and they’ve noticed granules around the house. We’ll have to look into finding a roof repair company to help them repair it.
It really helped when you said that there would be a water leak in our roof if there are issues with the roof heating. The house that I live in is quite old now because of being passed down from three generations. With that in mind, it might be right to have a flat roof installation to replace the old design which I always wanted to do.
Thank you for pointing out that when a roof ages, regular sun exposure, prolonged use, and moisture from the weather all contribute to the protective coatings of the roof shingles becoming separated. My sister complains that the hole in her roof allows the sun and rain to enter the house. I will advise her to have a new roof installed on her home.
Thanks for the reminder that you shouldn’t wait for your roof to give you warning signs before replacing it. I’m hoping that I can speak with a roofing company this week about replacing mine next Spring. It’s about 13 years old, but I think it would be nice to get it taken care of now.
It was very helpful when you said that missing shingles can cause water intrusion. Yesterday afternoon, I was cleaning out my gutters and noticed that my roof has a couple of missing shingles, so I was wondering what I should do about it. I’ll have to look into hiring a roofing contractor who can come and install a new one for me!
I liked how this post shared that the buildup of granules in the gutter implies that your roof is shedding granules. My friend told me that their roof needs replacement. I should advise him to hire an expert in roof replacement to ensure quality work.
I appreciate that you explained that your roofing would be the front to weather and conditions. The other day, my friend mentioned that he and his business partner were hoping to find a commercial roofing service that could provide roof replacement that could offer cost-effectiveness and durability for their clothing company’s place. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option to consider. Thanks to this informative article, I’ll tell him it will be much better if they consult a trusted roofing contractor as they can answer all their inquiries.
I was captured when you discussed that the age of your roof affects its repair necessity. My friend told me that their old roof needs replacement. I should advise him to hire an expert in roof replacement to ensure quality work.
Thank you for explaining how you can walk the roof weekly to look for weak spots. My husband and I have been worried about our roof lately since it’s been about fifteen years since it was replaced. I’ll be sure to mention this to him and see if it might be something to consider doing for our home.
I am in search of the best roofing contractor, I learned a lot by reading your worthy words. Thanks a lot for helping us. I wish you the best of luck for more amazing work
It got me when you said that the sublayer of the shingle materials will also be exposed aside from the fasteners and nails when the parts are missing. In that case, it would be best for our home’s structure to have a residential roofing replacement service next year. For our own protection, we should invest in getting new material on our property instead of having leaks that can also damage other parts of the house which can cost us more in the long run.
I appreciate you saying that the first thing you should do after finding a leak is to ascend to the attic to determine the extent of the damage. When my father climbed out of the attic to evaluate the damage, he discovered a leak in the roof. I’ll ask my father to replace the roof to ensure that there is no more leaking.
It was interesting to me when you mentioned that high winds can cause shingles to go missing. There have been some powerful snowstorms in my area this month. I should hire a roofer to inspect my home to make sure that I am not missing any crucial shingles.
I appreciate what you said about making sure leaks don’t develop. My roof currently has 2 leaks. I’ll have to hire a contractor to patch them up.
Excellent article on the warning signs that our roof needs to be repaired. It’s helpful that you mentioned that any discoloration on the roof could indicate water leakage, which has led to fungal growth, and that it’s critical to have it repaired by a professional. This is an excellent suggestion. I’d inspect my house’s roof to see if any upgrades are required. Thanks.
It’s been a long while since I thought about the life expectancy of our home roof, which might show that it’s time that we get it inspected. If it’s about to reach the end of its lifespan, it’s better to deal with that issue now rather than later when the weather gets wild again. If I can find a roofing expert in the area, I’ll ask them for some assistance with all of that right away.
The 8 signs that you have shared are really amazing, thank you so much for sharing.
I found it interesting when you said that your roof would always be exposed to different weather and climates. The other night, my brother told me he and his wife were hoping to find a roofing service that could provide roof installation to offer cost-effectiveness and durability for their residence. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option for consultation. I love this enlightening article, I’ll tell him it will be much better if they consult a trusted roofing service as they can provide information about their services.
It’s interesting that moisture damage in your attic means your roof should be replaced to prevent mold or poor air quality. My wife and I were organizing our attic last night, and we noticed water stains and leaks on the roof. We’ll have to hire a roofing contractor this weekend to replace ours before the damage can lead to further issues.
Thanks so much for explaining that knowing your roof’s life expectancy can help keep you from getting caught off guard and needing to replace it. My cousins recently had a storm pass by their house and caused a bit of damage to the roof. They’ve been thinking of just replacing the whole thing since it’s an old roof. We’ll have to look into finding a roof replacement company to help them get it fixed before the weather turns again.