Your roof—it’s something you look at every day, but if you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t check in on it as often as you should. Do you know what condition it’s in, or when you should plan on replacing it? Perhaps you’re even holding onto a roof that should have been replaced years ago, crossing your fingers that you can avoid an emergency.
Whatever the case, it’s important to know about the signs of an aging roof—especially with winter snow and ice, which are harsh on shingles.
Signs That Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced-
Think about how old the roof on your house is. Maybe you bought your house brand-new 25 years ago, or maybe you bought your house ten years ago and the previous owners replaced the roof about ten years before that. Asphalt shingle roofs typically last between 20 and 25 years, so if you know your roof is this age or older, that’s a good sign that it’s time for a new roof.
Not sure when the roof was last replaced? You don’t necessarily have to climb a 40-foot ladder to assess the state of your roof. Often, the signs of an aging roof are visible from ground level:
Frequent water leaks
Cracked or missing shingles
Curled or buckling shingle edges
Missing shingle granules
Excessive granules in the gutters
Moss growth
If you see any of these signs on your roof, be sure to schedule roof installation as soon as possible. Fall is a great time to replace your roof because it prepares your home to handle snow and ice and helps you avoid emergency winter roof repairs.