How To Tell If You Need A New Roof

How do I know when I need a new roof?  There are many signs that will tell you when your time is up before you start to get leaks. Here are a few signs to look for:

shingles

Above photo: Asphalt roof at the end of its life expectancy.

Streaking of shingles –look for zebra prints on the roof as this is caused by granule loss as shingle breaks down. You may also see granules collecting in the gutters or downspouts.

Look for lifting of shingles aka “fish-mouthing”. Shingle edges will lift up due to break down of an aged shingle (this may also be indicative of ventilation issues).

Above Photo: Curling / Lifting asphalt shingles

Look for algae growth on shingles. The algae live off the paper core of the shingles and will eat away at them over time.

Above Photo: Worn asphalt roof littered with organic debris and algae.

Look for blown off shingles around the house. As shingles age, they become brittle and will tear off the roof more readily.

Walk up into the attic and look for black rings around the nails aka “Cat Eyes” which mean there is lack of ventilation in the attic. Attics need to breathe in order to prevent ice dams outside and mold inside. A new ridge vent at the peak of the roof will allow better ventilation during your replacement.

Above Photo: Mold presence in the attic due to water infiltration.

Above Photo: Water-stained ceiling due to a leaky roof.

These are just a few signs that will let you know the roof is due for a replacement!

Recommended Posts