Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether it’s time for a roof repair or a full replacement. Then, there are some clear signs that your roof needs a full replacement — in these cases, a repair will not suffice. Trying to repair a roof that is truly at the end of its lifespan would end up costing you more, over time, than it would to simply to cut your losses and buy a full new roof.
Here are 8 such signs that it’s really time for a full roof replacement:
1. You have moss growth
Moss needs moisture to grow, so it will only grow on a roof where moisture is already collecting. Moss also holds moisture on the surface of the roof. This can damage the granules of the shingles, particularly if you live in a less temperate climate, where freezing and thawing are natural parts of the climate. You can clear away the moss, which can help to slow the damage caused by the moisture buildup, but if your roof is holding onto that much moisture, it will just grow back.
The growth of moss can cause lasting damage to your whole roof, and it is very difficult to get rid of, in part because it truly is a symptom of an underlying problem.
2. You have dark streaks on your roof
These dark streaks are usually a sign of airborne algae. While not as serious as moss, when it comes to the long-term life of your roof, algae growth is also a sign of a roof that is holding onto, rather than shedding, moisture.
To get rid of these streaks, you can spray a half bleach/half water blend onto your roof. Be very careful, though, to protect the landscaping below from the bleach as it flows off of your roof and into the gutters (if your gutters are functioning properly, they will protect the landscaping very well). Also, only ever use a low-volume hose to spray your roof, as otherwise you will knock off the granules that are protecting your shingles.
3. Your roof would be old enough to drink alcohol
Roofs seldom last more than 20 years. Newer shingles are being produced for longer lives and greater ability to endure harsh weather and rough seasons, but nonetheless your roof may just be suffering from the effects of old age. If your roof does not have sufficient ventilation, then your shingles are likely in trouble anyhow. Any roof with signs of any kind of damage that is over the age of about 18 warrants a detailed inspection by a professional roofer.
4. Your shingles are cracked
Those cracks mean your shingles have outlived their usefulness. The fact that fissures are breaking out across the shingles means that moisture can get into the interior of your roof. This could cause rot or mold growth in your attic or in the lower structures of your roof. Those cracks indicate the potential for a serious health hazard. It’s time for a new roof.
5. Your shingles are balding
Those bald spots you might see on your shingles mean that granules are falling off. Those granules are there as a protective measure, and they are helping your shingles survive. If the granules go, then the shingles are exposed to all sorts of possible deterioration, and that means it’s time to replace them.
6. The rest of the neighborhood is changing
The houses in your neighborhood were likely built around the same time as each other. If your neighbors are getting new roofs, then it is a potential sign that your roof is ready for replacement.
7. The edges of your shingles are curling up
As shingles reach the end of their useful life, their edges begin to curl up. Also, the shingle tabs can round off, and start pulling up from the surface of the roof. If those edges are curling, then your shingles are probably separating from the roof, and if that is happening, it is time for a new roof.
8. It’s sagging
If your roof is sagging, then the roof as a whole could be approaching collapse. You do not want to have a giant hole in your roof — but that is what that droop could be showing you. It means moisture could be collecting, and the boards that are the structural basis of your roof’s infrastructure are rotting away. A sagging roof is an impending emergency, and it warrants a call to a roof repair company TODAY.
If you see any of these signs of roof decay or damage and want an estimate for a roof replacement, give your trusted, local roofer a call (here in Cincinnati, you can call us here at Harper). Or, if you’d like to have a professional opinion on the remaining life of your roof, we can do that too!