Everyone appreciates a roof over their heads, but few people know how to tell when they need a new roof, much less what signs to watch for. So, how do you know if you need a new roof?
An Aging Roof
Like people, roofs age. Sooner or later, your aging roof will need to be replaced. Assuming your roof is asphalt shingle, it starts to show its age around the 25-year mark.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to jump on the phone to your local roofing service right away, but it puts a ticking clock on that roof. You have between 5-10 years before you really need a new roof, depending on how well-kept it is. Winters and weather can take their toll on roofs.
Curling Shingles
If your shingles are curling, then no two ways about it, you need a new roof. There are two distinct ways shingles curl: cupping and clawing.
If your roof shingles are curling upward, that’s called “cupping.” Clawing happens when the roof edges stay nice and flat but the middle arcs upwards. You don’t want either, and both mean it’s time for a new roof. Whether you need it in one year or five depends on the extent of the curling.
Missing or Cracked Shingles
If your shingles start to show signs of wind and weather damage, like cracking, or drop off altogether, then it’s certainly time for a new roof. It’s possible to replace individual shingles, but since colors and granules have changed over time, getting an exact match is difficult.
If you’re unfazed by a roof like a checkerboard, then replacing the broken or missing shingles until more significant problems present is fine, but it saves time and money in the long run if you succumb to the need for a new roof sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, contact us for any roofing advice you might need or to get a free quote on roof repair!