We wish that roofs would last forever, but unfortunately, they don’t.
Even well-maintained roofs have their life span. Also read, How Long Do Roofs Last In Florida?. The secret to a long-lasting and well functioning roof is to keep it well maintained and do roof repairs as soon as you notice the first signs of roof damage.
While being able to spot when your roof needs a repair, being able to spot when your roof needs to be replaced is just as important since a bad roof can cause other kinds of damage to your home.
In this article, we will cover 5 signs that will tell you your roof needs replacement.
1) Curled or buckled shingles
If you see that the shingles on your roof are starting to curl or buckle, it is most likely a sign that you need to replace them. Shingles curling in means that the edges of your shingles are curling upwards, or that the edges are flat but the middle starts to bubble up. Curling or buckling is a sign that your shingles are past their lifespan, generally 10-15 years. If you are uncertain, you can try to bend one of the shingles and if they crack, this tells you that they are up for a roof replacement.
2) Worn out spots on your roof or granules in your drains
If your roof looks worn out, with darker patches, it is a sign that it’s worn down. With Florida’s heavy rain and wind, shingles can start to fall apart. Another sign of this is if you’re finding a lot of granules in your gutter or drain system, especially after it rains. This shows that the small asphalt pieces that the shingles are made of are starting to wear off. As shingles wear down, they become less and less effective at protecting your home and should be replaced. Again, these signs should appear on a roof that is 10-15 years old or older.
3) Sun shining through the roofing boards
Another way to tell if your roof is doing its job or not is to check your attic. On a sunny day, look up and see if the sun is able to shine through the roofing boards just below the actual roof. If the sun is able to get through so are wind and rain. If you are able to see the sun shining through the boards on your roof, you should call a professional roofer to come to check it out.
4) Cracked shingles
Due to Florida’s intense weather, it’s not uncommon for shingles to break and crack. If you spot cracked or broken shingles, most likely they can be replaced or patched up. However, if you see that many shingles are cracked or broken all over your roof, this is a sign that they are dried up, worn down, and need replacement.
5) A saggy roof
If you see water build-ups or saggy parts of your roof this is a sign that water damage has occurred or that the deck below your roof needs repair or most likely a replacement. A sagging roof is a sign of structural damage and should be dealt with as fast as possible.
While there are some other things you should look out for, the key to helping your roof do its job and last as long as possible is to do routine inspections on it and call for a roof repair as soon as you spot signs of damage.
To help you, we’ve put together a complete checklist that you can do to inspect your roof on your own. We hope that this helps you maintain your roof to make it last as long as possible.
View DIY Roof Inspection Checklist
Article by:
Robert Shingletop
Senior Editor, No1 Home Roofing
sales@no1homeroofing.com