How to Know if You Need to Replace Your Roof

Roofs in Tennessee must stand up to harsh weather conditions. We have cold winters, rough Spring storms, and hot Summers. This can be hard on a roof. For that reason, a general rule is you should replace the roof on your Tennessee home roughly every 10 to 30 years depending on the type of roofing material used on your home and its level of wear and tear.

Even if there is no damage, roofs don’t last forever, even though some have a duration of nearly a lifetime. Before you dive into replacing your roof or passing it off as a worry for next year, take into account its age. Not just the time you’ve had your home, but include how long the roof has been on your home since before you bought it.

If you don’t know when your roof was replaced:

• Ask the previous owners if you have their contact information (although this may be just as inaccurate as your best guess).
• Find out if there is a building permit by contacting your county’s building department. You’ll want to look for when the roofing permit was awarded.
• Get an estimate from a pro, either a trusted roofing company or a home inspector.

Once you estimate this information, you can compare the age to the average lifespan for your type of roof in this area using the brand shingle you have. This will give you an idea of when you should start considering a shingle replacement.

If you aren’t sure when the last time the rood was replaced, here are some obvious signs that it might be time to consider a new one. If want to trust your home to an expert, you can always start by calling a roofing contractor who can inspect your roof and determine if repairs are needed (or a full replacement is necessary).

• 
  Asphalt Shingles: Replace Every 15 to 30 Years
• 
  Architectural (Laminated) Shingles: Replace Every 25 to 30 Years
• 
  Clay Tile: Replace Every 50 Years
• 
  Metal: Replace Every 70 Years

Roof age and life expectancy is a guide rather than a rule. For example, newer roofs, under certain circumstances, will need to be replaced sooner if it was put to the test by a major storm, hail, or a harsher-than-expected winter. It never hurts to have it inspected by a roofing professional. Regular inspections are not only good cautionary measures, they can catch small problems before they become large ones.

Warning Signs That Your Roof Needs Replacement

Now you know your roof’s age and your roof’s expected lifespan. You’ll want to take one step further and check your roof for any clues to its remaining protection. Any of the warning signs identified below could be alerting you that you might be in dire need for a roof replacement.

#1

• Roof replacement in 2011
• Leaks in roof
• Curling shingles
• Missing shingles
• Blistering in shingles
• Cracked shingles
• Granule loss
• Rotting shingles
• Holes in roof
• Sagging roof

You Received a New Roof in 2011

If you were living in East Tennessee in April of 2011, you undoubtedly remember the once-in-a-lifetime hailstorm that swept through the area. The storm caused widespread damage denting vehicles, breaking windows, and destroying roofs. Estimated damages reached into the multi-millions of dollars.

Many weather-damaged homes that needed new roofs afterward and were serviced by “storm chaser” roofers. These companies weren’t concerned with long-term quality. They used subpar materials and poor workmanship knowing they wouldn’t be around when problems arose. But now, years later, those roofs are showing the results. We’re seeing more and more of them at the end of their short life. Many are showing major degrigation, some have major leaks.

If your home received a new roof after that storm, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional.

#2

Missing Shingles

As with curling, buckling, blistering, and cracked shingles, if you having missing shingles then the integrity of your roof is in danger. If shingles have been ripped from your home during a storm or other incident, you’ll want to consider calling in repairs quickly.

Missing shingles open up your home to potential leaks. And while your roof will, at the very least, need a repair to replace the missing shingles, more severe damage may require a complete roofing replacement. Many roofing companies offer “emergency tarping” services that temporarily stop water intrusion until permanent fixes can be made.

#3

Interior Leaks

Leaks are one of the more obvious signs that there is a problem and it’s time for a roof replacement. Leaks are visual indicators that water is coming into your home due to a roof-related defect.

When it comes to leaks, don’t wait for further warning signs. According to Architect Magazine, 40% of all problems with a building (both residential and commercial) are found to be tied back to water intrusion. Even a relatively small amount of water damage can wreak havoc on your home, causing extensive mold and mildew damage within just 24 hours.

Just because you don’t see an active leak, you might also spot potential problems by seeing staining on the walls or ceilings.

#4

Curling or Buckling Shingles

Once your shingles begin to curl or buckle there’s no going back. Shingles cannot be uncurled.

What does this mean? Besides being unsightly, shingles that have curled back are no longer able to create a watertight barrier. This means your home is now susceptible to leaks — not good.

Begin to consider a replacement when the majority of your roof’s shingles have buckled. If you’re unsure if a replacement may be needed sooner, contact your local roofer for a professional inspection.

#5

Blistering

Blistering on shingles creates bubbled-up spots where gas or moisture has built up underneath. This is generally attributed to poor attic ventilation, sun exposure, and the natural aging of an older roof. With East Tennessee’s hot summers, these factors make blistering a common occurrence.

Luckily, blistering doesn’t always warrant an entirely new roof. If it’s caught early and there aren’t with too many additional warning signs, you can often get by with a repair. But if you are not proactive, these blisters eventully become holes into the attic causing damage.

#6

Cracked Shingles

Cracks in shingles sometimes develop due to lower quality shingles being installed on a home. This is usually the case if cracks show up in younger roofs.

If your roof is further along in its lifespan, you may begin to notice cracked shingles as a side effect of the shingles expanding and contracting with temperature changes. Cracked shingles can mean a lower wind resistance (especially important in stormy areas like ours) and potential leaks. Severe shingle cracks will need to be repaired or could require a complete roof replacement.

#7

Excessive Granule Loss

Older roofs that are approaching the end of their life will begin to lose shingle granules, the gravel-like substance covering the shingle.

You’ll likely see a buildup of these particles in your gutters or on the ground around your home’s downspouts. This is a clear sign your roof needs to be replaced. Your next move is to go ahead with getting a quote from a roofing contractor to avoid your roof breaking down further.

#8

Rotting Shingles

Rotting shingles, when caught early, may only require replacement of the affected shingles. In some situations rotting shingles, when left unchecked, can spread rot and algae to other areas of your roof.

Unfortunately, while rotting shingles themselves can be replaced, a rotting roof can mean your roof’s integrity has been compromised and will need to be completely replaced.

#9

Light Can Be Seen In Your Attic

Outside light creeping in through small holes in your attic is an indicator you may need a roof replacement. Caused by many reasons, they allow water to get into your home and cause extensive damage.

If you don’t see light coming in through your roof, you may instead see soft spots, water staining, and dark moisture stains which are alternative indicators of the same problem. Regardless, holes in your roof will require a replacement to protect your home.

#10

Sagging Roof

A sagging roof, rather due to extensive water damage, excessive weight from snow, or design flaws, will require a full roof replacement. A sagging roof can be identified by dips or waves along rooflines.

A sagging roof should be addressed quickly to prevent the sagging from becoming worse.

How to Definitively Know If It’s Time for A New Roof? Ask a Pro

Now that you’ve spotted concerning indicators of an aging roof, it’s now time to turn to the experts. Getting a professional opinion via a roof inspection by a roofing contractor will help you determine if repair or replacement is right for your home.

Roofing contractors who provide inspections have the correct tools, equipment, and safety training to check your roof in-depth. These roofing inspections can reveal hidden problems in your roof that may have significantly shortened its lifespan.