Roofs are not designed to last forever. While some roofs can last as long as 50 years, most roofing will start to wear away long before then. At some point, if you own your home for long enough, you’re going to run into a situation where you’ll need to replace your roof.
But roofing also doesn’t just fall apart all at once. It gives you signs that it is nearing its end, sometimes signs that show up long before you start having any real problems. If you can, and it’s safe to do so, it may be a good idea to go onto your roof every year or so to evaluate it and start making a plan for roof replacement.
What Are The Earliest Warning Signs of Needing a New Roof?
In some ways, you may not need to even look at the roof to know that it may need replacement within a few years. Roofing has a lifespan, and that lifespan is based on history and science. That means that if you have a roof rated for 20 years, and it’s been 20 years, there is a very high risk that its end is coming soon and you should start saving for a new roof.
However, most homeowners do try to wait until the last possible moment to replace the roof. The following are some of the early warning signs that you may need a new roof, and how long you have left before it is likely to be absolutely necessary.
- Curling or Buckling Shingles – If you see that the shingles are starting to curl, warp, or buckle, it means that the roof has begun to deteriorate. This typically means it is on its last few years.
- Missing or Damaged Shingles – Missing shingles could a sign of an other issue, like an unexpected weather event, but often indicate that the shingles are starting to fall apart. Roof repair may be able to fix the problem, but it may also indicate you have a few years left.
- Water Leaks – Any water leak of any kind is a sign that the roof is starting to fail. You can have a Staten Island roofing company come to survey the damage, and it’s possible roof repair is enough, but typically this is a more urgent need that indicates you have about 2 months to a year left.
- Granule Loss – Roofing shingles have protective granules. If they are starting to come off excessively, that is typically a sign your roof is going to start aging faster, and you likely have only one or two years left.
- Mold Growth – The moment mold starts to grow on a property, it means that water and moisture are starting to get inside. You can see if roof repair is enough, but if it isn’t, you likely have only a few months left. Make sure repairs are undertaken quickly as well to prevent further spread.
- Increased Energy Cost – Roof that is nearing the end of its life may show up in your energy bills. If you start to notice that your energy bills are getting more expensive, roofing could be the cause. That said, any number of roofing issues can cause a reduction in energy efficiency, and so you could have anywhere from a few months to 5+ years depending on the issue.
- Peeling Paint or Water Stains – If you notice water stains under the roof, or any type of moisture, that is a more immediate need that means the roof isn’t protecting against water. Assume 2 months to a year before it needs repair, if not sooner.
- Visible Damage – Any visible damage is an immediate red flag as far as roofing goes. Roof shingles should look solid, in good shape, and even across the entire roof. Visible damage means that it’s time to at least have a roofing company in Staten Island come and look at your roof to determine why the damage is occurring and give you a time frame for replacement.
In all of these situations, it is possible for roof repair to be enough to fix the problem. It is not a guarantee that you will need replacement in order to solve these issues without knowing exactly what the problem is and how fast your entire roof has been aging. At Christian Construction, we will try our best to see if replacement alone can be enough to address the issues, as we know that most families are on a tight budget.
Nevertheless, at some point, replacement will be needed. We will always do our best to get you the best rates we can, but be advised that – as soon as you start to notice that these issues are occurring – it is in your best interests to start saving and planning for roofing in the event that a need arises.
