5 Signs You Need To Replace Your Roof

Did you know that 5 million roofs are replaced in the US each year?

Roofs don't last forever and when they start to deteriorate they need to be replaced quickly, otherwise, they might cost you more money in the long-run.

In this guide, you'll discover the 5 signs you need to replace your roof.

How to Know if You Need to Replace Your Roof

It might not always be obvious that your roof needs to be replaced or repaired. From the ground, you can't see the details of your roof. However, if you notice any of these 5 signs, you need to replace your roof:

An Old Roof

If you have a roof that is quite old, i.e. it is older than 20 years, it might need replacing. Ask your neighbors when they last replaced their roofs, as this will give you an indication of when you need to replace yours.

Roofs don't last forever and if it has previously been replaced it might not be ventilated properly. Poor roof ventilation could be causing your energy bills to be more expensive.

Get in touch with a roofing specialist who will be able to identify what needs doing. You might need to only replace part of your roof, or it might make more sense to do a complete replacement.

Make sure you choose the right roofing company for you. For example, this roofing company offers flat and low roofing solutions in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, or Iowa.

Daylight Through the Roof Boards

Another way you can tell if your roof needs replacing is by going into your attic and checking your roof boards.

What you need to do is look under the eaves (the end of the rafters near the floor) and check how much light is coming through your roof boards. There should only be a subtle glow of light coming through on a sunny day.

If you notice that the eaves are letting in a lot of light, this might be a sign that you have to replace your roof.

Whilst you are in the attic, you should also check for any stains or streaks that may be an indication of a leaky roof.

Moisture in Your Roof

Check your roof for any signs of moisture, such as moss, mold, or fungi. If your roof feels spongy or bouncy when you walk on it, this might be a sign that the underlying decking has been weakened by moisture.

Another way to check whether moisture has got into your roof is by checking the insulation in your attic.

Make sure you do regular moisture checks in your home. Look out for signs of moisture by identifying water damage on the ceiling, mold or peeling paint on your walls, and/or rotted framing.

Any of these moisture signs need to be addressed as soon as possible because water that seeps into your roof's shingles can cause damage to your property and can give you health problems.

Replacing your roof once you notice moisture will help to prevent additional costs caused by water leakage in your home. Replacing your roof can also help to prevent breathing difficulties caused by mold in your home.

Worn or Torn Shingles

Worn or torn shingles are a sign that you need to replace your roof. Shingles that are worn or torn can still keep out moisture, but they might lack reflective granules.

Worn or torn shingles that lack reflective granules allow excessive and unwanted heat into your home. The increase in temperature might make your air conditioning costs higher.

One telling sign that your roof's reflective granules have worn away is a difference in color, for example, your roof might look darker in some places.

Another sign that you need to replace your roof is if you notice that your shingles are curled or buckling. Shingles are supposed to lie flat on your roof.

Finally, another sign that you need to replace your roof is cracked shingles. If your shingles are cracked, they are more susceptible to rain, which can lead to a leaky roof. Often cracks are more common on fiberglass-based asphalt shingle roofs.

Avoid additional costs by replacing your roof as soon as you notice worn or torn shingles.

Weather Related

If you have recently experienced a bad storm, you should check your roof for any potential damage. Especially, if it was particularly windy or there was hail.

Storms can cause havoc on your roof and cause your shingles to come loose or crack. So it is vital that you always check your roof's status after a bad storm.

Hail storms, in particular, can cause damage to your roof. Sometimes this might require a simple repair of certain shingles and tiles, or it might mean that you need to replace your roof.

Other Reasons to Replace Your Roof

Damage to your roof and home are just one reason why you might want to replace your roof.

Other reasons include: if you want to sell your home, a new roof might increase your resale value.

Or maybe you want to take advantage of new roofing technologies, such as a shingled roof that has an Energy Star rating. Updating your roof with new technology can help to reduce your costs and also improve your home's efficiency.

Signs You Need to Replace Your Roof

Deciding when you should replace your roof can be a tricky task. But remember to keep an eye on any changes to your roof and take note of all the signs you need to replace your roof.

It is always more cost effective to fix a problem as soon as it arises, especially with roofs. As a damaged roof that is left unfixed can cause leakage and damp problems.