It can be difficult trying to find the signs that your roof is in need of replacement, especially since you can't get a good look at it unless you climb up to the roof on a ladder. If you're unsure of what to look for, here are indications that an old roof is in need of replacement rather than just repair.
Curved Edges
Start by looking at the roof from the ground. You'll want to pay close attention to the bottom edges of the shingles and which way they are pointing. Look out for large groups of shingles that have edges curling upward. If you only see a couple shingles with this problem, those individual shingles can be replaced. However, a majority of the shingles with curved bottom edges means that they all need to be replaced. Know that this issue can occur due to old age and is due to no fault of your own. This is simply what happens when shingles get old and start to deteriorate.
Adhesion Problems
Asphalt shingles should lay flat across the entire surface of the roof if they are in good condition. A common problem with old shingles is that they lose their adhesion to the row of shingles below it. You may notice many shingle flapping upward during a storm with strong winds. If you were to go up to your roof, you may be able to easily lift up the shingles without the adhesion being ripped off from the shingle below it. Poor adhesion will lead to the shingles blowing off the roof or allowing water to get underneath and penetrate your home.
Ignored Debris
Debris on a roof causes more than a cosmetic problem. That debris can be very acidic to a roof if it is ignored. You'll find that the shingles underneath the debris can deteriorate at a faster rate than the rest of the shingles, causing the need for a large part of your roof to be replaced. If the debris is collecting in the valleys of the roof where two sections join together and water flows down, this can make the roof particularly weak in this area.
Unsure if your roof really needs to be replaced? Reach out to a roof replacement company to have a professional inspection performed. A professional will let you know if the problem can be repaired or if replacement will be in your future.
Share20 August 2019
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
