When Do You Need to Replace Your Roof?

Is it time to add a "re-roof" project to your home's to-do list? Answer these 5 questions to know for sure.

It might be obvious that you need a new roof, or you may just be looking at the state of your shingles and wondering if it's time. Your wheels are already turning, which is excellent—no one wants to start thinking about getting a new roof once water starts pouring into the house.

Answer these 5 questions to evaluate the state of your roof and make your next action steps.

1. How Old is Your Roof?
   The average lifespan of a shingled roof is around 20 years. This could be shortened by severe weather events that can wear shingles out sooner or if the roof wasn't installed following best practices in the first place. Improperly installed roofs could lack a moisture defense system or ventilation, or the "new roof" could have meant the last crew just put new shingles over the old ones. Whatever the case, it would be good to have a new roof correctly installed to protect your home in the long haul.
2. What's Happening in Your Neighborhood?
   Are other homes in your neighborhood getting their roof done? Keeping up with the Joneses is one thing (we're not suggesting you get a new roof because your neighbor is), but if the houses in your neighborhood were built at the same time, then seeing your neighbors get a new roof might be a good indicator that your home is ready for one as well.
3. Do You Have Water Damage Inside?
   Water staining and leaking inside your house is a huge red flag, so hopefully, you catch it before this stage. While it's always unsettling to see, and a complete re-roof may be in order, a professional roofer might have a quick fix to stop the leak, so take immediate action if you ever spot a water leak.
4. Do You Have Water Damage Outside?
   Exterior water damage demands a similar sense of urgency. If you see leaky or rusty gutters outside, it can indicate improper flashing. If these problems aren't fixed swiftly, more significant issues like rotted wood can come into play, requiring more work in the re-roofing process.
5. How Do Your Shingles Look?
   Finally, your shingles can tell you a lot about your roof. It may be time for a new roof if they no longer lay flat—they're cupping, curling, or warping. If you notice a warped or wavy pattern on a larger area of your roof, that's a sign of an extreme issue with your roof deck or trusses that may be damaged.

Shingles at the end of their useful life will also show signs of distress like cracking, discoloration, or visibly missing granules. You might also notice green moss or dark streaks of algae on your shingles, which trap moisture and cause mold to grow, which becomes challenging to manage.

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, don't panic—you've already taken critical steps to protect your home. Now it's time to find a reputable roofing company you'd like to work with to complete an inspection.