Every year, millions of homes have their roofs replaced. Roofing contractors, and the roofing industry as a whole, generate an estimated $46 billion every year in the U.S. because of this. But how do you know if your home is one of those that need a roof replacement?
There are many signs that you need to reach out to a roofing company for roof repair or replacement — cracked or damaged roof tiles or shingles, weather wearing it down, etc. But to help you understand when you should give roofing services a call, here are a few things to watch out for:
Your Roof’s Age
How old is your current roof? If you’re using asphalt shingles, most experts agree that it should be replaced every 20 to 25 years. It also depends on whether or not the old roof was removed and if there is only a single layer, or if it is properly ventilated. If your roof was installed over another layer and is older than 20 years, you might need to look into new roof installation.
Shingle Granules in Gutters
Check your gutters; if the shingles are starting to fall apart or lose their granules, they are probably nearing the end of their life cycle. Some other ways to tell if your roofing is losing its granules is to check the shading of the shingles. Darker colors on some parts of the roof is a sign they’re worn away.
Shingles Curling and Buckling
If your shingles are starting to curl or buckle, or have already done so, then you might need a new roof. You can check this by looking at the slopes of your home in direct sunlight. If you see that the shingles are curling or losing granules, it could mean they’re past their life expectancy.
If they’re new shingles or on a newly installed roof, contact the roofing company that installed them. Chances are they could be defective.
Taking care of your home’s roof is important. It protects you from the weather, keeps your home warm, and also helps repel things like rain and snow. Having worn or damaged shingles can greatly diminish your roof’s usefulness. Use these tips and analyze your roof for flaws.