6 Warning Signs That It Is Time For a Roof Replacement

Roof replacement. No two words in the English language strike more fear into the heart of a homeowner! Why?

Because getting a new roof comes at an astronomical expense. Everything from paying for the materials to hiring professional roofers costs serious cash. Indeed, putting a new asphalt shingle roof on your 2,000 square foot home would set you back around $11,000.

That’s an eye-watering sum of money, but there’s not a lot you can do to avoid paying it. After all, every house needs a functional roof to protect it from the elements. If yours is too old, tired, and in a state of disrepair, then the only sensible thing to do is bite the bullet and get a replacement.

The trickier part of the decision is knowing when to do it. Are you unsure how to tell if it’s time for a new roof? Well, you’re in the right place!

Keep reading for 6 warning signs that your roof needs to be replaced.

1. It’s Leaking

Good news! A leaky roof might not need to be replaced in its entirety. The bad news?

Something’s going on that needs your immediate attention. Trust us, leaks (even the small ones) will always get worse unless you sort them out in the early days.

That’s why it’s so important to remain vigilant. Check the inside of your attic after heavy rain to see if any water’s got in. Check the outside of the roof to see if any shingles are missing (more on this later), any ice dams have formed in cold weather, or there are other clear signs of damage.

In best-case scenarios, a few minor repairs will stop any leak in its tracks. In worst-case scenarios, though, the damage might be so extensive that you need a whole new roof. In either case, speak to a professional roofer as soon as you identify the leak.

2. Mold and Mildew in the Attic

Not all leaks are obvious to the naked eye.

Unlike what you see in movies, the water doesn’t (usually) come into your attic in torrents! More often than not, it comes in drips and trickles that might go unnoticed for weeks or months. And when you do see signs of the leak, it often shows up in the form of mold and mildew.

This isn’t a cause for celebration though! Far from being less serious problems, having mold and/or mildew in your attic can be a major headache. They a) are a clear indication that water’s coming into your home and b) can cause nasty health problems to arise.

Now, any mold/mildew in the attic could be the result of a plumbing issue or condensation forming. But you can’t rule out a roof leak. Once again, the best approach is to call a professional to assess the situation.

3. It’s Sagging

Let’s face it, nobody wants to look up at their roof and see it sagging in the middle! It’s a clear indication that you have a serious problem that needs to be sorted ASAP.

The sagging itself could be the result of a wide range of structural problems. For example, the beams could have weakened with time or the roof could have been installed badly in the first place. Any extra weight that it’s had to hold up (such as from snowfall or ice) could also have created the problem.

In reality, the cause itself doesn’t matter! If your roof’s showing an obvious (or even a subtle) sag, then it needs to be replaced. Don’t, and the whole thing could collapse and cause even more significant issues, including serious injury to anybody inside.

4. Its Shingles are Suffering

How are your shingles? The shingles on your roof, that is…

Grab a pair of binoculars (or a ladder), go outside, and take a look at it. Any cracks, gaps (more on this next), buckles, and/or algae in evidence could spell trouble. The same goes for any streaks of tar you spot too!

Each of these shingle-related issues either impacts your roof’s fitness for purpose or indicate its inability to operate at full bore. For example, cracks in your shingles create a direct route for water to run down into your home; a build-up of algae and tar suggests the shingles are less weatherproof than you need them to be!

Minor cases aren’t too much to worry about (but still need to be sorted out). Yet major cases could indicate the need to replace your roof.

5. It’s Got Missing Shingles

Cracks are bad. Gaps are worse. Why?

Because missing shingles all-but open the door to any water that falls on your roof! It’s like saying, “come on in, we didn’t want to keep you out anyway!” In the same way that you keep thieves out by shutting/locking your doors, you have to close those gaps on your roof to keep the water at bay.

Always check your roof for missing shingles after storms or high winds. Get the pros involved if you see any gaps have occurred.

6. It’s Too Old

“How long does a roof last?” It’s a good question and one that all homeowners need some insight into. Alas, the best answer we can give is that it depends.

Different materials have different shelf lives. As a result, knowing how often to replace roof materials depends entirely on what it’s made from. For instance, asphalt might last two decades or so before needing a replacement; slate could last over a century!

When you know both the material of your roof and when it was last replaced, you can determine whether or not it’s due for a change.

Time to Check if You Need a Roof Replacement

The thought of needing a roof replacement is never fun for homeowners. After all, few home maintenance tasks pack such a huge price tag attached. However, few home maintenance tasks are quite so important…

Failing to replace your roof when the job needs to be done can lead to huge problems. Your very safety’s on the line! With any luck, the info in this post will help you recognize when you can’t postpone the replacement any longer.

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