Has your roof turned into a major eyesore that drags down the curb appeal of your home? If so, you have a bad roof, and it’s definitely time to consider replacing it.
Although it can cost more than $7,000 on average to replace the roof on your home, it’ll be well worth the investment on your part once you see just how good your new roof looks. It’ll give your property value a boost while also making you proud of your home again.
There are many other things that can also indicate that you have a bad roof. You should keep a close eye out for them and seriously consider replacing your roof if you spot any of them.
Here are 14 signs you need roof replacement.
1. Your Roof Is More Than 20 Years Old
There are some types of roofs, like metal roofs, that will last for more than 50 years when maintained properly.
But the average asphalt roof will only last for about 20 years. At that point, a lot of the shingles will start to weaken and won’t provide your home with the coverage it needs.
You should find out how old your roof is if you weren’t the one to install it and then consider roof replacement once it hits the 20-year mark. That will be a nice run for your roofing and will prevent you from having to deal with a bad roof.
2. It’s Missing Shingles
A simple roof inspection will let you know whether or not you have a bad roof.
If you look up at your roofing and you see that it’s missing multiple shingles, it’s probably a sign that your roof needs to be replaced.
Missing shingles could, of course, always be the result of a bad storm. If that’s the case, you can get some more life out of your roof by replacing those shingles.
But if the shingles fell off on their own without the help of a strong gust of wind, you more than likely have a bad roof that needs replacement.
3. It Has Cracked or Curled Shingles
Missing shingles aren’t the only indication of a bad roof. Cracked or curled shingles could also prove that your roof is on its way out.
You probably won’t be able to see cracked or curled shingles from the ground. But they’ll be clear as day when you get up on a ladder and check out your roof.
You can inspect your roof on your own or have a roofing company come out and do it for you.
Get more info on hiring a roofing company to check out your roof to see if it needs to be replaced.
4. You Find Granules From Shingles in Your Gutters
Homeowners should get into the habit of clearing out their gutters at least twice every year. By cleaning your gutters in the spring and fall, you can prevent leaves, dirt, and debris from building up in them.
You can also spot signs of roof problems in your gutters. If you see a lot of granules from your shingles in your gutters, that will show you that you have an issue.
As shingles get older, the granules on them will start to fall off. This will often lead to the shingles cracking and curling and will leave your roof more susceptible to damage.
5. Your Neighbors Are All Starting to Replace Their Roofs
Does it seem like all of your neighbors are replacing their roofs at once?
Chances are, your roof probably went on your home at around the same time as your neighbors. Your roof was also subjected to the same weather patterns as all of the roofs around you.
That could mean you need to consider replacing your roof.
It could just be a coincidence that everyone is getting a new roof in your neighborhood. But it could also show that it’s only a matter of time before your roof needs to be replaced, too.
6. Your Roof Has Dark Stains That Can’t Be Cleaned
Over the years, dark stains can build up on the surface of a roof and make it unsightly.
In some cases, you can hire a company to clean your roof for you and remove those stains. But in others, the stains will prove to be permanent and won’t come off no matter how hard you try.
If your roof has dark stains on it and you’ve tried to clean them off to no avail, you’ll need to replace your roof to make it look clean again. It’s likely your only option.
7. It’s Covered in Moss, Mold, or Algae
In addition to dark stains, there are many roofs that can also be covered in moss, mold, and algae. This is especially true when it comes to roofs located in shady areas.
You can usually clean moss, mold, and algae off your roof with help from professionals. But if it continues to come back, you should think about replacing your roof and maintaining your new roof better.
8. It Has Sprung a Leak
This might be the most obvious sign of a bad roof. But believe it or not, it sometimes goes undetected.
You should get into the habit of climbing up into your attic to check for signs of water damage. You should also look at the ceilings and walls in your homes for signs of water damage as well.
If your roof is leaking, you should eventually be able to see it. You should either have your roof fixed right away or replace it with a new one that will keep water out of your home.
9. It Has Weak Spots All Over It
Your roof might not be leaking just yet. But it could very well be on the verge of springing a leak soon.
Many homeowners have weak spots on their roofs that could cave in at any time. If you suspect your roof might have weak spots, you should have a roof inspection done by professionals.
The last thing you want to do is walk on a roof with weak spots on your own. It could potentially lead to you falling through a portion of your roof and forcing your hand when it comes to roof replacement.
10. It Has Major Issues With Flashing
Flashing is placed around vent pipes, skylights, and other things located on your roof to prevent water from working its way into your home.
While flashing will usually last for many years without giving you any issues, your flashing will eventually start to fail on you and crack.
The good news is that you can replace flashing pretty easily without spending a fortune. But the bad news is that you need to do it before it’s too late. Or else…
Bad flashing can allow water into your home and affect the structural integrity of your roof. You should inspect your flashing regularly and replace it as necessary.
11. It’s Sagging
Is your entire roof sagging?
That could be a sign of a more serious foundation issue. But it could also just be that your roof is too old and not structurally sound anymore.
Either way, this is a problem that you do not want to ignore. You should bring in someone to take a look at your sagging roof right away to prevent it from collapsing into your home.
12. It’s Allowing Animals and Birds to Access Your Attic
There are many animals and birds that will find their way into your attic through old roofing.
You might have a small hole that’s allowing them to get in and out regularly. You might also have a gap near a pipe that’s giving them an entry point into your home.
If you have noticed animals and birds in your attic, you should remove them right away. You should also have your roof repaired or replaced to prevent them from coming back.
13. It Doesn’t Match the Rest of Your House
If you recently redid the siding on your home or painted your home a different color, you may now notice that your roof doesn’t match your home.
Roofs are available in many different colors these days. It shouldn’t be hard at all to find a roof color that will complement your house.
14. It’s Affecting Your Ability to Sell Your Home
Are you trying to sell your home at the moment? Nothing will send potential buyers heading for the hills quite like a bad roof.
You should make sure your roof is in good shape before you put your home on the market. Otherwise, you should replace it to make sure you get top dollar for your home.
Replace Your Bad Roof Now
If your bad roof needs to be repaired or replaced, you should call on a professional roofing company to handle the job.
You should never attempt to do a DIY roof replacement since it could end up leading to further roofing problems down the line.
Check out our blog to read more about finding the right roofing companies to work on your home’s roof.