At times, your roof will naturally reach the end of its lifespan without any major failure. The roof will look old and worn out, and you schedule regular maintenance to keep your roof going. However, if you delay replacing your roof, it can lead to serious problems down the line. With that, you need to watch out for the following warning signs to help you determine whether it’s the right time to replace your roof.
You have an old roof
The first thing to consider when determining whether your roof requires replacement is its age. The average lifespan of a roof is 20 years, but this depends on the roofing material that you’ve used. Here’s a breakdown of the average lifespan for different roofing materials when installed properly:
- Asphalt shingle roof – 15 to 40 years
- Composite shingle roof – 15 to 20 years
- Wood shingle roof – 30 to 40 years
- Wood shake roof – 20 to 40 years
- Standing-seam metal roof – 30 to 50 years
- Clay tile roof – 50 to 100 years
- Slate roof – 125 years
Please note that roof maintenance greatly determines how long your roof will last. Proper maintenance will ensure that your roof reaches its maximum life expectancy.
Moisture and mold
When your attic is not well ventilated, and warm moist air rises, there’s a chance for the warm air to get confined in the attic. If this happens, it leads to condensation on the base of your roof, thus causing rusty nails and mold growth in the long run.
However, if you don’t deal with this issue, it will make the plywood rot, and this will require a roof replacement. This can happen to both old and new roofs because of over-insulation, which can block some of the ventilation. When insulating your roof, make sure that you leave sufficient intake and exhaust spaces for proper ventilation.
Please note that mold and mildew are serious health hazards. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your roof has the right intake and ventilation. Failing to put these things into consideration will force you to replace your roof sooner than you expected.
Peeling or curling shingles
Asphalt shingles have a set lifespan. Now, once they get close to their lifespan, they will start exhibiting common signs of wear and tear. So, if you see that the shingles on your roof look like they are peeling, it’s a sign that they’ve started to wear out.
Also, if the shingles are curling at the corners, they’ve reached their lifespan. Failing to replace curling or peeling shingles can lead to a leaking roof, or allow water to be trapped as it drains from the roof. This can eventually lead to moisture getting trapped beneath the shingles, and it will cause rot and mod issues.
Loose granules
Asphalt shingles have fine, sand-like granules on their surface, which help to direct water from your roof. Now, when these shingles begin to age, the granules will start loosening and eventually falling off the roof. So, if you start to see small granules that resemble pebbles collecting on your eaves or under the downspouts, that’s an indication that your roof is getting old. When your asphalt shingles start to lose their granules, they start losing their effectiveness, meaning they might not protect your home as expected. Your Trusted Partner Roofing West Chester PA Needs.
Signs of moss
Moss growth on your roofing shingles doesn’t mean that the shingles are worn out or old, especially if the growth is in one part of your roof. Typically, usually, you will need to clean the affected shingles to remove the moss.
However, if the moss growth has spread throughout the entire roof, and you haven’t cleaned it for a while, there’s a chance that the shingles are damaged. With time, the moss will get under the shingles and start to lift them. This will make it harder for your roof to drain rainwater, thus leading to leaks. Taking care of moss growth properly and in time will ensure that your roof stays in a good condition. However, failing to take care of the moss will damage your roof, thus shortening its lifespan.
Signs of storm damage
There is a chance that your roof isn’t that old, but it has sustained significant storm damage Randolph County. In this case, storm repair Randolph County will not be possible, and you will need to replace it. however, you can first consult a professional roofing contractor to evaluate your roof, and advise you on the best action to take.