5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Old Roof

It can be tempting to repair a roof that you should replace. Inspectors and contractors can help you determine when it’s better to replace your roof. Many people know to replace a very old roof at the first sign of major damage. Some signs of damage indicate a need for a new roof whether the roof is older or newer. Be sure to check your roof for these important signs after a severe storm or long periods of harsh weather. Checking your roof seasonally whether you’ve experienced storms or not is always a good idea as well. 

1. Curled Shingles

Curled shingles are a sign of major damage. Your shingles may curl if the weather has been extremely cold. Shingles also tend to curl if your insulation is not good enough. Bad ventilation will also cause curling or buckling. You should immediately check the structural integrity of the roof and the building if you see curled shingles. This type of damage will quickly lead to deterioration of the roof structure and more shingle damage. 

2. Granules Inside the Gutter

Many people should check and clean their gutters more frequently. It’s important to start looking at a roof replacement if you find granules in the gutter. You should check your gutters every season for signs of animal damage, mold, and debris. It’s a good idea to check them monthly during colder months and immediately after storms. Checking your gutters for granules is a good way to find out about shingle deterioration early. It can be hard to tell if granules are coming off before the shingle is basically useless. Granules tend to come off with age, stormy weather, and impact. Hail is the major culprit when it comes to premature granule loss. Be sure to inspect the gutter after hailstorms for missing granules that may be hard to spot from the rooftop. 

3. Lots of Moss or Algae

Moss and algae are difficult to treat once they grow heavily. Many quality roofs will come with heavy-duty moss and algae treatments. These treatments prevent algae and moss growth as well as make it easier to wash them off. If you cannot successfully remove and prevent moss and algae growth, you should replace the roof. These issues will ultimately ruin the integrity of the roof structure and may contribute to rot throughout the rest of the building. Roofs that have had moss and algae problems for a while are likely to have spores embedded in the shingles. These spores eat away at the shingle structure and make it easy for the moss and algae to regrow quickly. 

4. Old Age

You should always consider a roof replacement when the roof is 20 or 30 years old. Tile roofs will typically last longer than 20 or 30 years. Other types of roofs should be assessed for replacement near the 20-year mark. The shingles and underlayment are likely worn out by then. The warranty has usually completely expired by then as well. Assess the whole roof situation, your insurance, and the usefulness of your warranty to decide when you should replace it. 

5. Plenty of Cracked or Missing Shingles

An abundance of cracked or missing shingles is a sign that your underlayment is no longer functional. Cracks occur when the shingles experience too much evaporation. Excessive heat will make the situation worse. Cracks also happen when the waterproofing chemicals in the shingle wear out. Cracks are mostly on the surface of the shingle, and cracked shingles are easily mistaken for split shingles. Shingles will fall off during stormy weather and during periods of heavy rain. They fall off as they weaken as well. 

Lexington Blue is the highest-rated roofing repair and replacement company in Central Kentucky. We hold GAF and SELECT ShingleMaster roofing certifications. We are also an Owens Corning preferred contractor. Our company has been providing exceptional service since 2015. We work on residential and commercial roofs.