By their nature, unless you regularly inspect the roof, you may not notice problems right away.
How do you know when it’s time to replace the roof?
First, check inside the attic for signs of leakage, including dry water stains, and then check the shingles at that location.
Then check your home’s records and do a thorough walk-around inspection of your roof. If you spot any of the following, it’s time to consider replacing the existing roof.
The Roof Is Old
Typical lifespan of shingles is about 15 to 30 years. If you’ve been in your house for 20 years and have never replaced the roof or have no documentation of when the previous owners replaced it, it’s probably time to have the roof replaced before problems strike.
If you don’t know how old your roof is, a professional roofer can do an inspection and give you an idea.
Neighbors Are Getting New Roofs
Usually, the homes in a neighborhood are built around the same time, which means that they will be roughly on the same roof replacement timetable. If your neighborhood had a recent hail storm and other neighbors are replacing roofs you may want to request a roof inspection to look at yours.
You may be aware that a branch glanced off the roof during a storm or that the gutter is loose and some shingles are missing after a windy night. If you can see damage, then water and insects can find their way in, so it’s time for repair or replacement before moisture causes other problems. Reach out to us at Ultra Dry Roofing for a free inspection.
The Roof Is Leaking
This is often the first indication that there’s a problem with the roof. Water unexpectedly starts dripping (or pouring) out of a ceiling that moments before looked intact. The leak doesn’t have to be on the upper floor, either—water from a leaking roof can travel through the walls, pool across a ceiling, and break through at a low point in the ceiling.
Generally, leaks send homeowners running to a plumber, but if there’s no apparent plumbing leak, the next logical place to look is the roof. If you notice a bubble or bulge in the ceiling, investigate immediately before more damage occurs.
Shingles Have Signs of Wear and Tear
Shingles should lie flat against the slope of the roof. Also, check your gutters: If you see many roof bits or granules, your roof is disintegrating, and it’s time for a new one.
Energy Bills Are Going Up
A failing roof will not insulate the house properly and may even be encouraging heat or cooling loss. A gradually increasing electric bill with no other apparent cause is a clue that it’s time for a roof inspection.
Roof Replacement vs. Roof Repair
Because roof replacement cost is substantial, it’s tempting to keep patching over roof damage, and sometimes that’s fine—a repair is all that is needed. But how do you know when a repair isn’t the right call? It depends on the severity of the damage. If the entire roof is showing wear or leaks in multiple locations, it’s time to replace the whole roof.
You can have our team come out for a free inspection. We will give you our honest feedback.
