Is your home’s roof too old to protect it, or is it damaged and on the verge of failing? How could you possibly know? This article discusses the typical warning signs of a deteriorating roof so you know what to look for.

7 Common Signs of an Aging and Failing Roof

As a homeowner, you should maintain a constant eye on your roofing system. Therefore, it’s a good idea to maintain a file with inspection reports, invoices for repair work, and warranty information for your roof so you can keep track of its lifetime and appropriately plan repairs or replacements. Check out the seven most prevalent indicators that your roof is “aging out” or on the verge of failing:

1. The Age of Your Roof
2. Gutter Granules and Bald Patches on Your Roof
3. Curling Shingles
4. Blisters
5. Visible Damage
6. Leaks
7. Sagging

Here’s a closer look at each of them.

The Age of Your Roof

Every roofing system has a specific lifetime. Asphalt shingles, the most common and cost-effective roofing material in the nation, typically last 20 years. However, more costly roofing materials, such as slate and tile roofs, might last at least 50 years. Homeowners must preserve a roofing file with their roof’s maintenance record and date of installation so that they can monitor their roof’s lifetime and know when it needs to be replaced.

Gutter Granules and Bald Patches on Your Roof

Granules are embedded in shingles to protect them from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Granule loss is to be anticipated during the roof shingle’s life. However, as the asphalt shingles near the end of their useful life, granule loss gets more severe, to the point where bald patches emerge on the roof or granules begin to amass in the gutters. Without these UV-resistant granules, it’s just a matter of time until fractures and, eventually, leaks occur.

Curling Shingles

Curling shingles are another symptom of your roof reaching the end of its life. However, they may also be caused by attic ventilation concerns. If your attic lacks ventilation, moisture may build and find its way to your roof, causing shingles to curl. As a result, if you see curling shingles on your roof, you should have a professional contractor from your local roofing business evaluate it thoroughly.

Blisters

Blisters may occur if moisture gets trapped between the tiles. While they aren’t a significant problem, you should change them as soon as possible. Because if left unchecked, these blisters might burst, exposing your roof to the elements.

Visible Damage

If you see damage to your roof from a ladder or the ground, you should call a roofing professional as soon as possible. Your shingles are your home’s first line of protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays, rain, hail, and wind – and if they’re missing, the roofing materials underneath them are vulnerable. Water (and probably bugs) might enter your property, which is never suitable for roofing materials.

Leaks

A leaky roof never improves with time; it may deteriorate rapidly. Even a little leak may cause chaos in your house, so as soon as you notice a leak, call a professional to assess the damage. Water leaks through your roof may cause mold development, damage to your walls and ceilings (as well as the goods in your attic), and total structural collapse in the worst-case scenario.

Sagging

There’s an issue if you stand a hundred feet from your house and observe that the roof is uneven or sinking. If your roofline is not parallel to the ground, it is likely that the timber that supports it has been destroyed or is in bad condition due to various circumstances. When a roof sags, the timber that holds it in place isn’t performing its job correctly; the weight may be unequal, causing the wood to split or splinter. If this occurs, your whole roof may collapse. A sagging roof may not collapse today, but it does put your house at risk of calamity.

Final Thoughts

A roof’s longevity is determined by several variables, including the quality of its materials and how well it has been maintained through time. Granule loss, curling shingles, blisters, apparent deterioration, and leaks, on the other hand, may all indicate that a roof is nearing the end of its lifetime. Therefore, if you see any of these indicators, it’s best to have a professional roofing contractor evaluate your roof and advise you on whether it needs to be replaced. Taking the time now to inspect your roof will save you a lot of grief later.