As much as we want them to, roofs don’t last forever. While they do have a pretty long lifespan when they’re newly installed depending on the roofing material— you might have some more trouble with an old roof.
And the signs when you know it’s time to replace your roof— they’re already pretty telling by themselves. You might have suspected a need for roof replacement, and if you’re looking for someone to confirm your hunches; then you’ve come to the right place!
Maybe it’s because of old age, of irreversible damage, bad maintenance or a massive mistake from your previous roof installation. There are a lot of possibilities, but either way, these signs are a huge cause for concern in roofs. Do any of these tick your boxes?
- Black Streaking and Algae
Look at the state of your roof. Do you see any black streaks or green patches in some areas? If so, it may be tar streaking and algae growth. It means that bacteria on the surface are slowly eating away at your roof’s shingle waterproofing. This usually happens when roofers replace shingle material with limestone to cut costs. This does not only look unsightly, but it also compromises your roof’s waterproofing characteristics which can lead to unwanted moisture in the structure.
- Mold and Mildew
With poor ventilation, comes condensation… and with condensation comes moisture. Once this starts, your roof might show signs of rust, as well as mold and mildew growth— and this is not a concern to be taken lightly. Mold and mildew are both health hazards, therefore they cause diseases in humans. Your roof might also rot from the inside if the damage from the moisture is already unsalvageable. With this, it’s best to call in your roofing contractor as early as possible.
- Curled or Missing Shingles
This is the most telltale sign of roof replacement that you can get. Curved shingles can be an indication of old age, especially if the roofing is already in a dilapidated condition. Moisture can force out the edges holding the shingles together, so it might be evidence of you needing to replace your roof— particularly if the curled or missing shingles occur in large patches.
- Wiped-Out Granules
If you see granules where they’re not supposed to be (ground, exterior walls, gutters, downspouts), then they’ve probably been wiped out by the elements. And the most common scenario is, they’ve been building up there for quite some time already! Inspect your roof and see if it also has exposed spots where the granules were. This is also an impending sign of moisture damage that might imply a need for roof replacement.
- Through-the-Roof Electric Bills
If your electric bill came through the mail, and you could’ve sworn it was unjustifiably higher than before— then we might have the answer. Expensive bills might be the repercussions of energy escaping due to a bad roof. Ventilation and insulation is a huge deal for homeowners, especially if you don’t want to be sweating in the summer and freezing in the winter. Call your local roofing contractor to assess it!