As a homeowner, a new roof is a significant expense that you want to avoid dealing with too often. There are some clear signs that your roof needs to be replaced, whether it is leaking and clearly broken or just getting close to the end of its useful life. With over 30 years of experience, Valley Roofing has installed and repaired all kinds of roofs. Leveraging our extensive knowledge and expertise, we will guide you in determining whether or not you require a new roof in this article. Discover if you need a new roof by reading this.

Roof Replacement Timing

Following are the signs that it is time for a new roof:

1. Crack Roof Tiles

Like beach sand grains, shingles should all look the same. If you see cracks in the shingle, that’s not a good sign. When shingles are brand new, they are very bendable. The weather in the UK / USA can be cold, hot, dry, damp, or soaking wet. Cracks show that the weather has worn something down. 

2. Missing or Deteriorating Shingles

Next to direct sunlight or wetness in the attic, worn-out shingles are the most obvious sign that a roof needs to be changed. If your roof is made of shingles and slopes, the most visible damage to the tiles can be seen from the ground, like missing pieces.

While some signs of shingle wear can be observed from the ground, more minor ones may require you to get on your roof. However, if you don’t feel safe doing it or don’t have a ladder that can reach above your roof’s gutter, it’s crucial to have a professional inspect it. This ensures your safety and prevents potential damage to your roof.

3. Roof Damage or Curling

The roof should be flat when the asphalt shingles are on it. If they are beginning to curl up around the edges, you should get a new roof. Most roofs need a few replacement tiles here and there throughout life, but you shouldn’t have to “keep up” with replacing them. You need a new roof if this problem spreads to other homes.

Having pieces fall off your shingles is another sign that they are no longer suitable. The flakes that cover the surface of shingles start to fall off as they age, which makes them less effective.

Looking for bald spots (where the granules are missing) and sand-like grains in your drains will tell you if your shingles are losing their leaves.

4. Missing Shingles

Now is the time to smack your forehead, pull out your phone, and look for your contractor’s number. It could be after a big storm with a lot of wind. No matter what, loose or missing shingles are never a good sign. What does that mean? They are old enough that the nails that held them in place have come free.

5. Discoloration or Damage Around Vents, Chimneys, or Skylights

Your roof is not one continuous piece of plywood. Pipes come through the top, and there may be a chimney. Your home may have sunlight, solar cells, or a solar tube. In addition to the shingles and felt insulation used on the rest of the roof, these also need things like flashing or sealer. These are also places where water can get in and cause damage or staining.

6. Torn, Heat-Damaged, or Pooling Flat Roof

Heat and UV light can also accelerate the aging of flat roofs. If the material on your flat roof has changed color or cracked, it may need to be replaced.

Built-up roofing (BUR) and modified bitumen systems (MBS) can tear when things hit them, like trees falling or when the wind blows hard enough to lift the top layer of tar. Look for missing bits or torn parts.

7. Granules of Worn-out Asphalt

If your shingles look like race slicks, they are almost done with their useful life. This can begin in places that get a lot of rain. One example is that in older homes, a downspout from the second floor might fall right on roofs close to a rain drain but not on top of them. At first, you’ll notice it here. As the roof ages and needs to be replaced, you’ll also see signs of worn shingles in other places.

8. The Growth of Moss or Algae

Moss or algae may grow on the shingles of parts of your roof that don’t get much sun. It starts to grow faster if you don’t regularly remove moss and algae. That biological material will soon be part of the structure of the shingle, and you will have to get a new roof.

9. Age

If your roof is getting close to or past the age where the shingles are guaranteed to last, you will likely notice some or all of the above signs. A roof that is no longer under protection should be considered for replacement, even if there aren’t any clear signs of wear. Regular roof inspections, whether self-conducted or by a professional, are crucial in maintaining the safety and longevity of your home. They should look at it to see if you need to see any damage or signs of wear.

How long should the roof last? It depends on the type of shingle, its warranty, and how long it’s supposed to last.

10. Over 20 Years Old

It’s OK if some homeowners could be better at keeping records. No longer have the papers for your roof? You can still guess how old it is. If your roof is getting close to 20 or older, you should have a qualified worker look it over. While you might not need to replace the roof just yet, getting it checked out can help you identify and fix minor problems, potentially extending its lifespan. This can also help you keep your homeowner’s insurance from being canceled because of the state of your roof.

11. Natural Light Fills Your Attic

If your roof is near the end of its useful life or you have another reason to think you might need a new one, check the attic or basement first. From the bottom, it’s often easier to see if the roof has holes, cracks, or leaks than from the top. One reason is that getting to the basement is often easier and safer than getting to the roof, especially if the roof is sloped. Also, it’s easier to see when light comes in through a hole or crack in your attic’s ceiling than to look for small chips in the roof. A leak in the attic or on the top floor of your home is often the first sign that you need a new roof. Remember that a leak doesn’t always mean you need a new roof.

12. Shaking up

To keep water out of the roof, the flashing around roof features and chimneys should fit ideally with the rest of the roofing system. Flashing that doesn’t work right might be put on wrong or be made of cement or glue instead of metal. If you have lousy flashing, check the area in your attic or basement after it rains a lot, or call a roofing expert.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, regularly inspecting your roof is a sensible and preventative step that can save you time and money in the long run. Homeowners can enjoy their houses’ comfort, safety, and life by taking care of problems quickly, preventing water damage, and following the rules set by their insurance companies.