The roof on your home will eventually need to be replaced, no matter what type of material you use. How to tell when it is time for a new roof can be a little challenging, but some signs you can watch for that will help determine when it is time to have a roofing contractor inspect the roof for you. 

Age of Your Roof

One of the most common roofing materials in use in the US is asphalt shingles, and while they offer good protection for the roof of your home, if they are more than a couple of decades old, they probably need to be replaced. The shingles may have a thirty-year warranty on them, but it is a good idea to consider a roof inspection with roofing this old to detect potential problems early. 

The roofing shingles may look good on the surface, but if water has gotten under them, the roof could rot in areas that you can't see. The roofing inspector will look at the shingles, the underlayment, and the roof's underside inside the home. 

Water stains or mildew on the inside of the roof can indicate water getting through the roofing material and into the wood. The long-term effect can be damage to the structure of the roof that is expensive to repair. The earlier it is caught and fixed, the less chance of damage to the home. 

Missing or Loose Shingles

Shingles that are coming loose are typically a sign that they are drying out and becoming brittle. Over time the sun, wind, and harsh weather can cause the shingles to deteriorate and loosen. Once that happens, the shingles can blow off in a strong wind and leave areas exposed that allow water to get under them. 

Stand back and look at your roof for signs of loose shingles or spots that a single is missing. If you can see pealing, curling, or shingles that look like they are not in line with the rest, it is time to have a roofing contractor check the roof. Dark spots on the roof are typically areas where shingles are missing already, and if you have picked up any in the yard, you already have a problem that needs immediate attention. 

All of these conditions indicate shingles that are no longer protecting the roof correctly, and if they are left in that condition, it will only be a matter of time before leaks start to appear. The cost of replacing the roof on your home can be expensive, but replacing the roof and having to repair the structure under it because the roofing material is leaking will be significantly higher. 

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