Top 5 Signs You Need A New Roof - Expert Home Improvement Advice by Philip Barron

You might not have experienced roof failure or significant damages that warrant roof replacement – your roof may simply have reached the end of its lifespan. It might appear a little ragged around the edges, despite all your efforts to look after it and ensure adequate home maintenance.

Even with the proper care, delaying a roof replacement can result in bigger, more costly issues that require tending to later down the line. It is important that you keep in mind the lifespan of your roof as well as regularly check for any indication that your roof may have reached the end of its life.

Here are the top 5 signs that you may need a new roof.

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1. Your Roof Is 20 Years Old Or More.

Given that it is the most used roofing material, asphalt shingles generally have a lifespan of around 20-30 years. While more and more durable materials are being produced to extend the lifespan of roofs, improper ventilation and inadequate installation can contribute to an acceleration of age.

Some materials have longer lifespans than your common asphalt shingles. However, as a common rule of thumb, you’ll want to assess your roof’s wellbeing annually at least – whether it’s getting up there in years or not.

2. There Are Dark Stains Or Moss Growth.

Dark stains or streaks are good indicators of airborne algae growth, common to asphalt shingles. Moss growth is also another indicator of a wearing roof, but both signs are more cosmetic ailments than anything else. Still, they may indicate your roof’s time is up. Typically, these issues will appear on surfaces that may not get as much sunlight and are more common in areas with cooler, more humid climates.

3. Curled Edges, Warping, Or Cupping.

Asphalt shingles that are starting to see the wear of changing temperatures may start to curl at the edges, warp, or cup. This can be a huge issue as it indicates that your roofing is no longer sufficiently insulating your home. Sometimes, this issue can be due to improper installation or poor ventilation, but it may also just be a product of age.

4. You Recently Suffered A Particularly Nasty Weather Event.

This sign may not be age-related, but it still holds true: if the area where you live experienced an unusual weather event, such as high winds, a hailstorm, unexpected cold snap, or anything of the sort, you may want to assess your roof for damages. If your roof is already getting up there in years, it might be time to do a replacement.

Different areas may experience different weather events and it is always important you install a roof fitted to the nature of your location. For instance, in Red Deer, roofing should be installed according to the city’s flux of temperatures and high winds. Further south, you may want to purchase roofing that is better suited to hot summers and will not warp under the heat.

5. The People In Your Area Are Getting New Roofs.

Often homes that are built around the same time (such as homes in a neighbourhood) will need replacing around the same, especially given that those roofs have experienced the same weather, seasons, etc. If you see your neighbours replacing their roofs, it might be a good indication that it is time to assess the potential of doing so yourself.

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Avoid making panic decisions.

If your roof is showing signs of damages, wear or moss growth, don’t panic and assume you need to immediately tear up your old roof to replace it with a newer one. If your roof was adequately installed by a professional and is younger than 20 years old, you might be able to save some costs by avoiding a full replacement and doing minor repairs instead. A professional will be able to offer you advice when it comes time to replace your roof and how you can go about it properly.