Even if your roofer uses their years of workmanship to install your roof so it lasts a long time, you’ll need to schedule a replacement eventually. However, a new roof attracts a high cost, so it makes sense to want to get one only when you need to. Looking for the best answers to the question, when does your roof need to be replaced? Here are 10 signs to look out for!

1. Your Records Indicate So

As a homeowner, it’s in your best interest to maintain accurate and accessible records of any work done on your home. Doing this will eliminate the hassle of scrambling through your documents to find them at the last minute. If you were the owner of your property when the present roof was installed, the work invoices and contract, along with any warranty details, will likely still be in your possession.

Start by confirming whether the roofing manufacturer’s warranty term is still in effect. Most warranties are valid for ten to 30 years and cover flaws, material failure, or premature aging. If you’re lucky, yours may also cover labor and materials, meaning your manufacturer will be financially responsible for installation errors.

Roof contractors may also provide a warranty that usually lasts one to five years and covers contractor error and material failure. One of the easiest ways of knowing when it’s time for a replacement is if your manufacturer’s warranty validity period has expired. After this point, expect the need for a new roof or extensive repairs at no fault of the contractor or manufacturer.

2. It’s Over 20 Years Old

It’s okay if you’re not a master record-keeper. If you can’t find the necessary paperwork for your roof, you still likely have a rough idea of its approximate age. If it’s approaching 20 years of service, scheduling an inspection with a roofing business is a good idea.

Even if it may not be time for a replacement, a professional roofing inspection will make you aware of any repair needs, helping keep it intact for longer. Your roof’s age may have an impact on your insurance coverage. For example, homeowner insurance covers extreme weather conditions considered ”acts of God” including hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and hailstorms.

However, if your roof is over 20 years old, your insurance policy may no longer be valid. Your insurance provider may also reject your insurance renewal altogether. Unless it passes an inspection, you’ll need a roof replacement.

3. There Are Roof Leaks

Leaks in your roof often indicate that it’s time to schedule a roof replacement with your local residential roofer. However, the answer to when does your roof need to be replaced? isn’t always a leaking roof. You likely don’t need a replacement if they stem from something as simple as a cracked pipe boot or nail pops.

A roof replacement is more appropriate if the leaks result from storm damage, faulty roof installation, or the roofing materials have exhausted their useful life. Knowing which solution is best for your case isn’t something that’ll just come naturally to you. A roof inspection is the only way you can be completely sure.

While a roofing service may try to convince you they’re the best in the game, it’s a good idea to seek multiple opinions on roof leaks. Doing this is especially if your roof is past the 10-year mark. This way, you’ll get a more comprehensive answer on whether you need silicone and SPF roof systems.

4. Your Roofing Contractor Recommends It

As mentioned above, it’s good practice to schedule a roof inspection from a reputable and licensed roofing contractor if it’s reaching the end of its useful life. However, it would help if you also had one done as part of your routine home maintenance and when you have concerns about your roof. The reason for this is one of the best answers to the question, when does your roof need to be replaced? is if your roofer determines it’s necessary in their report.

Just as with any other significant home improvement project, have more than one roofing contractor inspect your roof and give you quotes for new roofing installation. You may be surprised when you find one roofer saying you can wait and make a few repairs, such as siding repair, while the other recommends a new roof. Compare and contrast the roofing contractors, whether a metal roofer or shingle roofer, before deciding who you’ll trust to help you decide the best solution for your roofing needs.

5. Light or Leaks in Your Attic

One of the first things you should do when you find yourself thinking, when does your roof need to be replaced? is to inspect the attic or crawlspace. This is a great example of working smarter, not harder. It’s easier to detect if your roof has leaks, cracks, or holes from underneath than above.

Accessing the crawlspace is safer than climbing up on your roof, which becomes even more dangerous if it’s a slopped roof. You’ll be able to immediately detect sunlight streaming in through a crack or hole in your attic’s ceiling, but you can miss such small defects entirely when looking from above your roof. Leaks are also more apparent in the attic.

However, don’t pick your phone up to schedule a replacement installation from professional wind vented roof contractors immediately after you notice a leak in your attic. Have your local roofer inspect it before making any conclusions. What you can do is take steps to stop the leaks before they arrive.

6. There Are Missing or Deteriorating Shingles

You can also find the answer to the question when does your roof need to be replaced? by looking for deteriorating and missing shingles. If your roof is sloped, it’ll be easy to notice them from the ground. However, you’ll need to get up on your roof to spot more subtle shingle damage.

This comes with its fair share of risks. So if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself or don’t have access to the appropriate equipment, hiring professional residential roofing services is better for your safety. They’ll have everything necessary to carry out a thorough inspection while staying safe.

Some things your roofer will check for include patches of curled, bent, or lifted shingles. A quick repair may be sufficient for minor damages. On the other hand, more extensive shingle damage will require a roof replacement.

Shedding of granules can also be an answer to when does your roof need to be replaced? as it indicates your shingles are reaching the end of their useful life. When they get to this point, they become less effective. Bald patches on your roof and sand-like grains in your gutters are obvious signs of shedding.

7. The Roof Is Drooping or Sagging

If your roof is sagging or drooping, you may have just found the answer to the question, when does your roof need to be replaced? The good thing is you can observe this sign from the ground, so you won’t have to climb up there yourself. There’s no acceptable degree of sagging; any roof sag is bad.

Your home’s roof should only sag if there’s some form of weight on its surface. Even then, it should be strong enough to handle the extra weight without buckling. Several things can cause drooping.

Water damage is often the culprit as it damages the sheathing. If your roof is creating a little oasis on the surface instead of directing the water away, the moisture will cause the sheathing to start rotting or decaying, eventually leading to sagging. The only way to fix this issue is to replace the sheathing with new material.

Employing undersized materials during installation may also cause this problem. For example, sing 2×4 rafters rather than 2×6 rafters will typically result in a sagging roof. If the internal bracing is inadequate, the walls may experience spreading, which causes sagging as well.

Too much weight on your roof can weaken its structural integrity. While snow or ice on your roof may make for interesting pictures, routinely clean them off to prevent a large buildup. Even if most roofs are made to endure heavy snowfall, too much snow can undermine the interior structure.

Old age may also be the cause. Proper roof maintenance may help extend your roof’s lifespan, but age will eventually catch up to it, causing it to break down and sag. In such a case, you can’t do much other than contact residential roofing services to schedule a replacement before further damage occurs to your home.

8. You’re Unintentionally Growing a Rooftop Garden

You’ve probably seen an increasing number of rooftop gardens as you scroll through your Pinterest feed; they’re modern and in fashion. However, an unintentional garden typically consists of fungus, mold, and moss, and this might be the answer to when does your roof need to be replaced? Luckily, such unwanted foliage is easy to brush away.

If you choose to do so, look for evidence of rot and water damage beneath and around the mossy region. Fungus and moss can trap moisture and lead to extensive deterioration. Have a roofer perform a thorough inspection if you suspect that an accumulation of moss or other plant life is affecting your roof’s integrity.

9. There Was Faulty Installation

You may not realize it when your roofer is installing your roof, or you may not have been the owner of the home at the time, but it may have been installed incorrectly or hastily. The most unsettling part of this is the effects of poor roof installation take years to manifest and may not give you an answer to the question when does your roof need to be replaced? Even worse, they often invalidate warranties and guarantees, but there are ways to tell if your roofing issues stem from installation errors.

The flashing around chimneys and other roofing fixtures should precisely match the rest of the roofing system so moisture doesn’t enter the roof. It should also be made of metal rather than caulk or cement. If you think you have faulty flashing, inspect the area in your attic or crawlspace after heavy rainfall, and contact a roofing professional.

You may view your gutters as more of an accessory to your home’s exterior, but they play a key role in maintaining your roofing system’s structural integrity. If your roofing contractor made a mistake when installing the gutters, or portions of them are missing, water would make its way to the underside of the roofing fascia. The result will be moisture damage and rot.

You may drill holes in your roof for various reasons, such as installing a satellite dish to get the latest movie channels. If you decide to take it out in the future because you’re always on Netflix or Hulu and can get the latest news online, you’ll be left with drill holes. These can let water enter the roof and cause rot over time.

Most homeowners patch drill holes incorrectly or leave them uncovered. While a small hole may be easy to fix, one filled with cement or caulking will still allow water to penetrate your roof. Repair drill holes with proper spot replacement to prevent further damage that necessitates premature replacement.

10. Your Flat Roof Has Pooling Water, Is Heat-Damaged, or Is Torn

Flat roofs age faster due to UV and heat exposure. You may need a replacement if you notice discoloration or cracking in your flat roof’s membrane. Modified bitumen systems(MBS) and built-up roofing are vulnerable to tearing from impacts such as wind damage and falling trees, which can lift the top layer of tar.

Keep an eye out for any torn or perhaps missing pieces. Pooling water is one of the most common issues for flat roofs. If the structural elements underneath the top membrane start to warp, your roof may be experiencing moisture damage from standing water.

If this is your case, you may need to replace the entire roofing system. This includes the upper membranes and the underlying roof platform. Work with your local roofer to determine the best solution.

Considering how expensive it is, you likely get a migraine at the thought of getting a roof replacement. However, it’ll actually save you money in the long run. Use this read as a guide for when does your roof need to be replaced?