Having a sound and secure roof is crucial for your home. When your roof starts to fail, water could start to seep in and cause incredible amounts of damage to your home. But if you’re not familiar with roofing, you may be hard pressed to be able to tell when your roof actually needs replacing. Luckily, Ragsdale Roofing And Innovations LLC has a few key signs you can look for that will help you figure out whether or not your roof is reaching the end of its life.
1. Your roof is over 20 years old
This is a pretty standard gauge of the condition your roof is in and is something most home insurance providers will ask you when you’re trying to add a home to your policy. 20 years is the standard amount of time a traditional asphalt roof will last. This does not mean all roofs will last 20 years. A roof’s ability to stand the test of time depends a lot on its installation, whether it’s properly ventilated, and whether the current layer of shingles was placed on top of an older layer.
2. Damaged or missing shingles in roof valleys
The health of your roof valleys (where two roof slopes meet) is a vital part of your roof’s overall health. Any missing or damaged shingles in this area is a clear sign that you need a new roof. Valleys are where water and snow are channeled away from your home, so any weaknesses in their area mean your home is susceptible to leaks.
3. Buckling or curling shingles
Shingles that are curling or buckling in direct sunlight could be a sign that your roof is aging. Curling and buckling is a sign that your shingles are reaching the end of their life expectancy. If you have a one-story home, you may be able to spot this from the ground. If not, get up on your roof and examine it in direct sunlight to assess any curling or buckling.
If your roof is quite young, this could be a sign that you have defective shingles. If that’s the case, contact a licensed installer to have them come investigate.
4. Asphalt granules in the gutter
When your roof starts to fail, asphalt granules that look like small, glittery pieces of bark will start to collect in your gutters or on the ground around your roof. Increasing granule shedding is a key sign that your shingles are getting old. You may also notice uneven coloring on your roof with some parts looking darker than other areas, and a distinct grainy appearance to certain sections of your roof.
5. Missing shingles
Sometimes, a big storm might move through and cause damage to your roof by tearing off shingles. This could mean you just need a minor patching job or need your seals replaced. However, a series of shingles coming off could mean that you need your whole roof replaced.
6. Any daylight through the roof boards
If you’re on your roof and you notice any bounce or sponginess, or you see any daylight coming through the roof boards, then you need a new roof ASAP. Bounciness means the roof underlay is weakened with moisture damage and light means rain is actively coming into your attic.