6 Possible Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced
Good quality roofs are built to last decades. In fact, many homeowners assume that, barring a major storm or similar incident, they can put their roofs out of their minds without worry.
However, in rare cases, your roof may start to show signs of deterioration without undergoing any significant damage. The reasons might include a faulty installation, damage from pests, moisture infiltration, and more. Regular and attentive maintenance can often catch many roofing issues before they become serious concerns. Still, especially if you've failed to properly maintain your roof over the years, we recommend doing some digging to determine if your roof is due for a replacement.
If any of the following signs sound familiar, don’t despair! While this may indicate your roof is on its way out, with the proper care, we’re confident there’s a possibility that the damage can be reversed, giving your roof a new lease on life.
So how do you know when it's time to install a new roof? Here is a list of our top six warning signs to help you in your analysis.
1. Age of Your Roof
Most modern roofing systems are built to last between 20 and 25 years, depending on the type, material used, and local weather conditions. When your roof begins to creep up to the end of its life, you’ll start to notice subtle issues presenting on the surface, including:
- Missing and damaged shingles
- Warping in the center
- Dark areas forming across the roof
If you notice one or more of these signs of aging, we encourage you to inspect your roof as soon as possible before they worsen. ExP Contractors LLC offers a thorough roof inspection service to determine the best course of action when dealing with an aging roof.
2. Signs of Leaks
While leaks aren’t always an immediate sign that your roof has reached the end of its life, the only solution will be to replace the deteriorated roof if leaks go unattended for too long.
If you notice water in your home or attic where it shouldn’t be, it almost certainly originated from the roof. Roof leaks are often caused by damaged flashing, caulking, and sealant. If leaks aren’t repaired immediately, they lead to mold, mildew, and rotting, all of which will cause the roof to need replacement. Also, if you see dark water stains on your ceiling, this is another sure sign that your roof is leaking and possibly damaged beyond repair.
3. Exterior Damage
Exterior damage will look different depending on the roofing system. If your roof has asphalt or wooden shingles, issues may be evident as curling, warped, or missing shingles. If you notice any of these warning signs in excess, you should call in the experts. Your roof may be so damaged that a replacement is the only remedy.
Alternatively, if your roof is made of metal, slate, rubber, clay, or concrete tile, damage presents as cracked spots, missing pieces, or worn and dented surface areas. Again, if these damages are in excess, your roof could be on its way out. The best way to properly evaluate the degree of damage is to bring in an expert.
4. Signs of Sagging and Warping
Every homeowner's worst nightmare is when their roof shows signs that the decking—the structure that supports the roof—is weakening. Not only does this indicate that their roof needs to be replaced immediately, but it can also become dangerous if neglected. If you inspected your roof and noticed signs of sagging and warping, this is a tell-tale sign that the decking is damaged or worn out. The decking is a crucial component of any roofing system, so if you suspect it’s damaged, we recommend hiring expert roofers to fix the problem.
5. Vegetation Growth on Your Roof
When moss and other plant life start to grow on your roof, you need to spring into action to resolve the excessive moisture buildup allowing this to occur. Roofs are highly vulnerable to water and moisture damage, and when water gets trapped between the shingles, it creates a breeding ground for moss, mold, and fungi. Left to grow for too long and expand across the roof's entire surface area, vegetation can cause a state of unsalvageable deterioration. The moment you notice any greenery popping up in areas of your roof, we say it's time to call in the experts.
When we spot early signs of moss buildup on our client's roofs, we spray wash it to remove all traces and dry the entire surface area, including beneath the shingles.
6. Failed Inspection
The easiest way to tell if your roof is due for an upgrade is to call in expert inspectors. As roofing experts, we recommend getting your roof inspected annually. However, if you live in an area prone to severe weather, we recommend you get it inspected after every storm of significance—it's better to be safe than sorry!
Inspections are best done by licensed roofers because they know what to look for. The typical inspection will look for the following issues:
- Damaged shingles that are curling or warping
- Bald spots across the surface area
- Loose material around the chimney
- Shingle fragments in your gutters
- Soft and warped spots, indicating rotted plywood
- …and more
If one or more of these issues are discovered, your roof won’t pass the inspection until they’re repaired. If these issues are widespread, it’s a sign that your roof is ready to be replaced.
Bottom Line
While most homeowners don’t pay attention to their roofs until it’s too late, we encourage you not to follow their lead. Most roofing wear and tear and mild damages can be easily repaired if caught in time. The real issues arise when they’re neglected for too long, allowing problems to expand and cause irreversible deterioration.
ExP Contractors LLC is a full-service roofing company with expertise in roofing maintenance, repairs, inspection, and installation. When you hire us, we’ll ensure your roof undergoes the appropriate repairs and supply you with valuable safety measures to prevent early-onset wear and tear. With a few simple tips, you can be on your way to enjoying a fully functioning roof for decades.
If you suspect your roof needs to be replaced or is showing premature signs of aging, get in touch with our crew at (470) 796-2352. We’ll send someone to inspect your roof to determine its current condition and the best course of action.