How to Tell If You Need a New Roof: Finding Secret Damage

Often times, severe storms, wind, and hail and cause damage that’s not hiding in plain sight. Learn how to tell if you need a new roof.

The roofing industry in the U.S. is booming right now, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down.

Millions of Americans have decided over the last few years that they need to invest in new roofs or roof repairs for their home.

Are you part of this group? Or, are you on the fence about whether or not it’s time for a new roof?

If you’re part of the latter group and are not sure how to tell if you need a new roof, keep reading. Listed below are some warning signs you ought to look out for.

How Often Should You Replace Your Roof?

Many homeowners have no idea how often they need to think about a roof replacement. They just go through their lives with their fingers crossed, hoping that they never have to think of a new roof while living in their house.

That approach might work for some people. Most of the time, though, they end up with an unpleasant surprise when they find out how bad of shape their roof is actually in.

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to know the average lifespan of your roof. That way, you can plan accordingly and avoid being taken by surprise when the time comes for a roof replacement.

The lifespan of a roof varies depending on the materials it’s made of. Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind:

• Asphalt Shingles: Between 15 and 30 years
• Composition Shingles:Between 12 and 20 years
• Wood Shingles:Between 20 and 25 years
• Metal Roofs:Between 50 and 75 years

These are just estimates, of course. Some roofs may last longer or have shorter lifespans depending on the weather in your area, general wear and tear, and other factors.

How to Tell If You Need a New Roof

There’s more than your roof’s average lifespan to think about when it comes to deciding whether or not you need a new roof.

Here are some other warning signs you ought to be on the lookout for. These can pop up at any time, no matter how new or old your roof is:

Curling and Buckling Shingles

If the shingles on your roof have started to curl up on the ends, that’s a good sign that they’re on their last leg and aren’t doing much when it comes to protecting you and your family. The same is true if they’ve started to buckle or bubble up in the middle.

Valleys

No homeowner wants to see valleys on their roof. These dips in the roof can cause water to pool up. This, in turn, weakens your roof and increases your risk of dealing with leaks, mold, mildew, and other forms of water damage.

Missing Shingles

If shingles are missing altogether, that’s another sign that a roof replacement might be in your near future. This is especially true if the shingles have been missing for a long time and the material underneath has started to wear out as a result.

Granules in the Gutters

Take a look at your rain gutters. Do you see shingle granules in them? If so, your roof is probably getting close to the end of its lifespan.

This is especially true if you notice inconsistent color across your entire roof.

Issues in the Attic

Head up to your attack and take a look around, too. Can you see sunlight coming in through the ceiling? Are there signs of water damage?

If you notice either of these issues, your roof is almost definitely beyond repair and in need of a replacement.

What to Do if You Need a New Roof

Have you noticed any of these signs? If so, there’s a good chance you need to get a new roof.

Not sure how to proceed? The first step is to hire a roofing contractor or professional roofing company to help you with the project. Replacing a roof is a big undertaking, and it’s definitely not something you should try to do on your own.

Here are some tips that will help you find the right contractor to replace your roof:

Ask About Their License

The first thing to do is to ask about the contractor’s license. They ought to have an up-to-date license that makes them eligible to work in your state.

And Their Insurance

They need to have insurance, too. Make sure they have both worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance.

This will protect your property and protect you from being held responsible if a worker gets injured while replacing your roof.

Make Sure They’ll Remove Your Old Roof

Unless you want to try and handle the removal yourself (not recommended), make sure the contractor you’re considering will remove your old roof for you. This will save you a lot of trouble later on.

Ask About Refuse Removal

It’s also a good idea to ensure they have a process for getting rid of the old roofing material, too. You don’t want to end up with piles of shingles abandoned on your driveway, do you?

Go Local

Finally, look for a roofing contractor who has a local address and phone number. This is a sign that they’re a legitimate business.

Local contractors also have a better knowledge of what roofs in your area need in order to stay in good shape and last as long as possible.

Do You Need a New Roof?

You now know how to tell if you need a new roof. So, what do you think? Is it time for you to invest in a new roof?

Getting a new roof is definitely a big investment and a big project. It’ll be worth it in the end, though. This is especially true if you have plans to sell your home in the near future.

Do you need help finding a good roofing contractor for your home? Or, do you want to learn about other home repairs that might be necessary?

Either way, we’ve got resources for you. Check out the Home and Garden section of our site today for more information and advice.