There are plenty of home projects that keep you busy around the house year after year. Many require regular attention and maintenance, and offer clear signs when it’s time to go about repairs and renovations. Then there are those larger repair and even replacement projects that can be a bit trickier to recognize, and the roof is one of them. The roof is meant to have a pretty substantial lifespan but far too often homeowners get stuck on the age rather than watching for red flags that could signal it’s time to replace it.
So what are the signs you should be looking for that could mean the roof needs attention? Let’s take a look.
Yes Age Does Play a Role
So let’s start by getting age out of the way. Yes this can be a sign that it is time to replace your roof, as no roof lasts forever. The typical asphalt shingle roof will last about 15-18 years, clay tiles are 50 years, and wood and metal shingles are about 30-40 years. But as mentioned, age can’t and shouldn’t be the only determining factor. Life happens, and that means damage can occur at any point in a roof’s lifespan. You can speak to a professional company for more specific advice on the age span of roofs.
Missing or Curling Shingles
It’s a good idea to take the time to walk the perimeter of your house and check for missing or curling shingles. If it is only occurring in one small area then you may be able to get away with a patch or repair job, but most likely you’ll find if it’s happening in one spot it’s happening in other areas. This is just natural wear and tear over the years, and it means the shingles are no longer able to offer the protection they are meant to. If you’ve have a particularly large storm, or an active storm season, it’s a good idea to check to ensure your shingles are still in-tact.
You Are Finding Granules on the Ground
If you’ve started to notice a lot of little granules on the ground near the foundation and house, then this is another sign your roof likely needs replacing. These granules are coming from the asphalt shingles, which will eventually make them look bald. Once they are bald, the integrity of the shingle is affected. Again, you may find a lot of this build up after an active storm season or a strong rain and wind storm.
Moss Is Growing on the Roof
Have you started to notice green patches growing on your roof? It could be that moss is starting to grow, or even algae. This tends to happen if your roof doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. While it may not seem like a big deal and only a cosmetic thing, if there is moss and/or algae then there is also moisture sitting there which can lead to damage and rot.
Don’t Hold Back on Replacement
While replacing the roof is certainly a big undertaking, and an expensive one at that, ignoring the warning signs can only lead to damage and even more money needing to be spent.
