Roofs are designed to protect your house, and they’re typically made to be incredibly durable, but over time, they suffer damage and deterioration. In many cases, you can restore your roof to its proper functionality with a simple patch or repair. But eventually, you’ll need to replace your entire roof.
How should you choose the right time to replace your roof?
Signs You Should Consider a Roof Replacement
These visual and conditional indicators are all signs that you should consider replacing your roof:
1. Major Shingle Deterioration
It’s expected for shingles to deteriorate over time. After all, their job is to stand up to damage that would otherwise impact the structural integrity of your home. If there’s a single damaged shingle, or if there are only light points of damage, simple shingle replacements and repairs can correct the issue. But if you notice major shingle deterioration across your roof, it’s probably easier to simply replace the roof.
2. Curling or Buckling Shingles
Your shingles might be intact, but are they curling, buckling, or otherwise showing signs of warping? This is usually a bad sign, and it’s an especially bad sign if there appear to be instances of warping almost everywhere. The worse the damage is, and the more widespread it is, the more you should consider a full roof replacement.
3. Significant Flashing Problems
Flashing is designed to keep your roof sealed even around structures like chimneys, so if the flashing is starting to deteriorate, or if it can no longer do its job properly, it’s a problem. Again, if this is a localized issue or if the damage isn’t very extensive, it may not warrant a full roof replacement. But if you have significant flashing problems, it might be worth the effort to tear out and replace the roof.
4. Internal or External Water Stains
One of the most important jobs of a roof is to keep moisture out; if water is allowed to enter your structure, it’s going to cause significant direct damage and long-term problems like the development of mold. If you notice any internal water stains, it’s important to take action immediately. Sometimes, you can correct the problem entirely with a single repair and water remediation techniques. But other times, the water entry problem is severe enough to practically require full roof replacement.
5. Growth of Algae or Mold
Algae and mold typically appear in moist conditions, and they can accelerate the degradation of your roof. If you see these budding forms of life in and around your roof, it’s time to consider a replacement.
6. Daylight in Your Attic
Similarly, you probably don’t need a roofing professional to tell you that seeing daylight in your attic is a massive problem. This usually indicates massive holes or cracks in your roof, and the more daylight you see, the worse the problem is.
7. Excessive Age
Generally speaking, you can expect a roof to last somewhere between 20 and 30 years. If the roof suffers significant damage, it may not even last this long. You’ll find variable timelines in different areas and under different conditions; some climates are more favorable for roof integrity than others, and different types of roofs have different expected lifespans. If your roof is more than 20 years old, replacement should be on your radar.
Any single one of these signs may not be sufficient to make roof replacement the only viable option. But if you notice several of these signs, or if you witness these signs getting worse at an alarming rate, it’s best to talk to a roofing professional about a full roof replacement.
8. Repair or Replace? Talking to Experts
There are some issues that can be easily repaired, and shingles that can be easily replaced. So what should you do if you’re on the fence about the correct approach to the problem?
The short answer is to talk to a roofing professional, who can diagnose your roofing problems and give you a firm recommendation for how to proceed.
9. Do Your Due Diligence
Do your due diligence when hiring a roofing contractor. Make sure you’re working with someone who has the knowledge and experience to give you good recommendations and someone with the integrity to do solid work.
10. Get Multiple Quotes
Always get multiple quotes and multiple opinions. Just because one person thinks your roof needs to be replaced doesn’t mean that’s the only option.
Weigh Your Options Carefully
Different roof styles offer different pros and cons, so keep an open mind and weigh your options carefully.
Repairing a roof can buy you some time, but if you’re experiencing a host of different issues, it’s probably better to simply replace it. If you’re confused, uncertain, or just interested in getting an opinion from someone who knows what they’re talking about, contact a roofing contractor in your area as soon as possible.
