When Should You Replace Roof Shingles?
Homeowners know that maintaining their property and ensuring that it remains up to code is one of their most important responsibilities. And while every part of your home requires maintenance and upkeep, you might forget about your roof. In fact, many homeowners have no idea when to have an inspection, and more importantly, when to replace their roof shingles. That’s why we are here to help you notice the red flags that could point toward a necessary shingles replacement.
Shingles Life Expectancy
Age is an important factor when deciding whether or not you should get a shingles replacement. Most asphalt shingles roofs have a life expectancy of about 20 years, with some lasting way over 25 years.
However, you should understand that without proper ventilation and maintenance, the lifespan of a shingle roof is much less than 20 years. Additionally, even if your roof might look brand new at a first glance, it may hide some deeper problems. In other words, you should still inspect your roof, even if the warranty is still valid.
Inspect the Attic
The first thing you need to do is to take a flashlight and inspect your attic or another space where the interior of your roof is visible. You should look for anything out of the ordinary, such as beams of lights, leaks, and stains. All those things could be the first sign that your roof shingles or flashing are damaged and require a replacement.
Inspecting the Roof
Most signs of wear and tear should be noticeable just by looking at your roof. Even so, you should still get a professional inspection to find all the small details that you could miss. But if you decide to do it yourself, be sure to wear protective equipment before you climb on the roof. Here are a few things to look out for when inspecting your roof.
Missing Granules
Missing granules look like dark patches on light shingles or lighter patches on dark shingles. Additionally, you might find large amounts of granules in the gutters the next time you clean them.
Keep in mind that missing granules do not necessarily impact the waterproofing of your roof. Besides, shingles naturally lose some granules over time, depending on their quality and age. However, granules are used to protect your roof from UV rays, meaning that once they are gone, your roof is prone to even more damage.
Moss Growth
If it’s in one area, moss growth doesn’t necessarily mean that the shingles are worn out or old. In fact, you can simply clean the affected shingles to remove moss. Yet, if the growth is widespread and has been for a while, the moss might damage the shingles.
Eventually, without professional help, moss will get under the shingles and lift them one by one. Once that happens, you will start losing entire patches of shingles, leaving the roof unprotected. As a result, your roof will not be able to drain water anymore, leading to leaks and even floods.
It’s important to note that moss should be taken care of as soon as possible. It can also be prevented by constantly cleaning your roof or having it checked by a professional. However, if you ignore moss, it will be almost impossible to remove it without a full roof replacement.
Curling Shingles
Generally speaking, curling shingles are the result of shingles that dried and shrunk over time. They need to be replaced as soon as possible, otherwise they will most likely be blown away by winds. If you notice curling shingles, you will need a replacement, since there is no way to simply fix them.
Missing Shingles
Missing shingles are easy to notice, as you can often find them in your backyard. And while one or two is not a big deal, large empty patches are a warning sign. Remember that shingles protect the underlying roof, so losing shingles means exposing your roof to more damage. You should contact a roofing company as soon as you notice more than a few missing shingles, to prevent an entire roof replacement.
Exposed Nails
Nails should never be exposed, because they can rust, eventually falling off and leaving holes all over the roof. Without proper care, those holes will allow water to infiltrate and create leaks. And depending on how many nails are missing, you might need an entire roof replacement.
Why Is It Important to Replace Roof Shingles?
The longer you leave your roof unchecked, the more damage your entire roof will sustain. For instance, even a few missing shingles could expose your roof to hail and water damage. Eventually, those will lead to mold, which can cause a lot of health issues to everyone living in the house. To better understand the risk of postponing roof repairs, here are a few things that can be triggered by old or damaged shingles:
- Leaks
- Water infiltration
- Mold
- Roof structural damage
- Electrical faults
- Insulation damage
Final Thoughts
All in all, with proper care and maintenance, roof shingles should last at least 20 years. Even so, it’s always a good idea to have a professional check your roof once in a while. But if you notice any signs of wear and tear, you should waste no more time and get in touch with a local roofing contractor. After all, ignoring your roof is the first step toward damaging the rest of your house.
J.O.N. Construction, Inc
J.O.N. Construction, Inc is a professional roofing contractor that handles everything from repairs to entire roof replacements. Our main focus is to provide high-quality residential and commercial roofing in the Lehigh Valley area. We do that by handpicking the best materials and using the latest equipment available on the market. Additionally, we use the trademark GAF Lifetime Roofing System to provide you with the most durable and long-lasting roof out there.
So why waste your time with low-quality roofs when you can enjoy the lifetime protection that we offer. Just give us a call at 610-841-3722 and receive a free estimate for your next roofing project.
