3 Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

The roof on your home is arguably the most important part of its structure. In addition to providing coverage from the elements, roofs offer insulation and keep your home and family safe. However, because of weather and aging, roofs will eventually weaken. If you don’t act quickly, you could be looking at expensive damage.

If you have a new home, you likely won’t have to worry, but if your home is more than 15 years old you should start paying attention to the roof. Similar to other parts of your home, there will be telltale signs that something is wrong and your roof needs replacing. Here are a few warning signs that indicate a weakening roof.

Problems Inside

While many homeowners start by looking at the roof’s exterior, the first place to start is inside. If you have an attic, take some time to climb up and look for rays of light coming through the roof. You should look for streaks and stains that could mean a roof is leaking. You can also feel along the underside of the roof for weak and soft spots that are sure signs of weakening.

Check Shingles

Eyeing your roof from the outside allows you to see how well the shingles are holding up. When roofs are sturdy, shingles will lie flat against the roof. If there is a problem, patches may be cracked, damaged or buckling. You should also look at your gutter and drains to see if any shingle granules are present. This indicates the shingles are failing and starting to come apart.

Inspect Flashing

Your roof may have vents, skylights and chimneys which are sealed in with flashing to prevent moisture from coming in. If a roof is starting to falter, the flashing will start to crack and break. If the flashing is cracking, it can also spread to the shingles, causing a leaky roof. Soon you won’t have to look at the roof to know it needs replacing because water will start coming in through these leaks.

Some home improvement projects can be put on hold, but your roof is not one. Be proactive in inspecting your roof and look for the above signs, as well as sections that are sagging, mossy or wet on the shingles. The sooner you have a bad roof replaced with architectural material from GAF, the better. Contact Steve Czerwinksi Inc. to learn more about architectural roofing.