Roofs are not built to last forever, but you can prolong the life of your roof if you maintain it well. You should get a professional opinion on roof issues as soon as you notice them. A simple repair may be all you need if you address a problem early enough. In other cases, the roof is at the end of its life and it’s time to replace it. Here are five signs that you need a new roof.
1. How old is the roof?
A good rule of thumb is to expect about 20 years out of a typical asphalt roof. If you know when the roof was last replaced, you will have a pretty good idea of its life expectancy. If you are buying a home, having the roof professionally inspected will not only tell you if there are any issues, but it will also give you some indication of when you will need a new roof.
2. How do the shingles look?
If you are able and it’s safe to do so, get up on the roof and take a close look at the overall quality of the shingles. The shingles should not curl anywhere and the granules should still cover the entire shingle. If they appear to be wearing in places, it’s a good idea to call a professional for an inspection.
You may still have time for a repair instead of a replacement, but if most of the shingles are warped or missing the protective granules, you probably need a new roof.
3. Closely inspect the valleys of the roof.
This is where the alternate-angle roofs adjoin and where all of the concentrated rainwater flows. If these shingles are compromised, it almost always means that you need a new roof. Take care of this as soon as possible before rainwater damages the wood frame underneath and you end up with costly repairs as well.
4. Are any of the shingles missing?
If so, it might not mean that you need a new roof. If there were any recent high winds that could have contributed to one or two missing shingles, fixing the issue could be as simple as replacing those few shingles. However, if many shingles are missing all over the roof, this is a sign that you need a new roof.
5. Inspect your chimney flashing.
Pay special attention to your chimney flashing and any other flashing where exhausts protrude through your roof. The flashing keeps any water from permeating the seal. It will deteriorate over time as the roof ages. Compromised flashing will usually accompany other signs that you need a new roof.
Blackbird Home Inspections serves Central Arkansas and uses an aerial drone when necessary for inspecting roofs during home inspections. Contact us to book an appointment for our services.