How will I know when my shingle roof needs to be replaced?

This can often be difficult to foresee unless you have a professional conduct a roofing estimate. There are however several clues that you spot yourself. The main one is age. If your roof is more than 20 years old then there’s a good chance it’s time for a roof replacement. This doesn’t mean that younger roofs are immune to problems. If an unqualified contractor didn’t follow proper procedure, used cheap materials, shingled over shingles, or didn’t replace rotted decking than there’s a chance a newer roof could need a replacement.

One thing you can do is inspect your roof with binoculars from curbside. Pay close attention to curled edges, lifted, cracked, or missing shingles. Furthermore, smooth dark areas indicate the granules have worn off the shingle. Those are just a few of the visible issues that often result in a roof replacement. It is also recommended to go in the attic on a sunny day and check the underside of the stack vents and chimney to make sure no light is bleeding through. If light is shining through than that is an indication the flashing has failed.

Also, while you’re in the attic it’s a good idea to inspect the underside of the roof decking boards for any signs of water damage or staining. During a rainstorm is another time to check your attic to make sure there is no soft spots or moisture accumulating.