Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late – How to Tell If Your Roof Needs Replacing
When was the last time you looked at your roof? It’s something you don’t think about because you really can’t check it out on a daily basis. However, there are things you can detect by eyeballing your roof from the ground. For instance, curled or buckled shingles are a sign of leaks. But how do you know when it’s time for a roof replacement? Here are some key signs that will tell you if it is time to invest in a new roof or repairs.
Missing Shingles or Tiles
One of the most obvious signs that your roof needs replacing is missing shingles or tiles. If shingles have loosened or fallen off altogether, then your roof may not be as secure as it should be and the underlying structure could be compromised. In addition, if there are bare spots on the roof where shingles used to be, this can lead to water damage in other areas of your home. It’s important to replace any missing shingles or tiles immediately so that no further damage occurs.
Granules in the Gutters
When you look at your gutters after a rainstorm, check for granules inside them. This indicates that the protective layer (which contains these granules) of your shingles has worn off due to age and weather conditions. Granule loss accelerates the process of deterioration and results in costly repairs down the road. A new roof may be necessary in order to avoid future damage.
Age and Wear & Tear
If your home has an older asphalt shingle roof, then chances are it will need replacing eventually due to natural degradation over time. Look out for cracked shingles, curled edges, moss growth, and discoloration—all of which indicate that a new roof is needed. Additionally, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures (both hot and cold), then this can further accelerate the aging process, leading to more damage to an already weakened structure over time. Roofs generally age out at 20 years of age.
Look for leaks
If you see any water stains on your ceiling, it’s a good indication that your roof is leaking and needs to be repaired or replaced.
Leaks in a roof can look like a number of things. Most commonly, water leakage appears as water stains on walls or ceilings. Remember, water may not always appear right away; it could take time for the water to travel far enough down the roof and inside your home before you actually see it. When roofers inspect for leaks, they look at the flashing around chimneys and vents, any visible damage to shingles, and the condition of gutters or eaves. They may also need to do an interior inspection in order to detect hidden moisture or mold.
This is the reason why annual roof inspections are so important. They can save you thousands in the long run.
Look for daylight coming through your attic
Another way to tell if you need a new roof is to go into your attic and look for daylight coming through. If you see any light coming through the roof boards, it means that your roof is no longer providing adequate protection from the elements and needs to be replaced.
Check for sagging ceilings
If you notice that your ceilings are sagging, it’s a good indication that your roof is no longer able to support the weight of the house and needs to be replaced.
Listen for creaking or popping sounds
If you hear creaking or popping sounds coming from your attic, it’s an indication that your roof is starting to fail and needs to be replaced. These sounds are caused by the rafters and trusses being strained due to the weight of the house.
Look for mold or mildew growth
The presence of mold or mildew growing in your attic or on your ceilings is a good indication of water leakage from the roof, causing moisture damage. This type of growth can also cause health problems, so it’s important to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Black mold can reach toxic levels and pose a serious risk to children.
Also, musty odors indicate that there is mold or mildew growing somewhere in the house. Musty odors are often caused by dampness.
Feel for warm spots on your ceiling
Feeling warm spots on your ceiling is a good way to find out if heat is escaping from your attic due to poor insulation or a hole in the roof. You may notice that your energy bill has increased.
Get your roof inspected annually
Age and wear & tear of your roof can have devastating effects if not monitored regularly. It is important to inspect your roof on a frequent basis for potential signs of deterioration, such as cracked shingles, curled edges, moss growth, and discoloration. Taking the steps listed in this article will help you avoid costly repairs in the future. Lancaster Quality Roofing offers roof inspections where our experienced roofing team examines your roof for any damage or weaknesses.
Hire an Experienced Roofer
Taking care of your home’s roof is essential for maintaining its structural integrity for years to come. Pay attention to potential warning signs like missing shingles/tiles, granules in the gutters, age, and wear & tear—as these could mean that it’s time for a new roof installation before any further damage occurs. Investing in a quality roof replacement now can save you money down the line while protecting against any unforeseen problems caused by a faulty structure.
Please call Lancaster Quality Roofing today to schedule a free roofing inspection.
