As a home or business owner, you want to ensure that your property structure is always in peak condition, especially the roofing system. Unfortunately, roofs and their components don’t last forever. Rather than waiting until a roof failure occurs, you can increase the longevity of your roof through shingle replacement and repair. How would you know it’s time? Here are three signs that your roof needs shingle replacement.
3 Signs Your Roof Needs Shingle Replacement
#1: Shingle Damage
The easiest way to determine if your roof needs shingle replacement is if it has sustained shingle damage. Damage can occur in a variety of ways, from slow damage over time due to the elements or from an external force, like putting up holiday lights incorrectly. Here are the signs you should look out for:
Curling Shingles
When a shingle starts to curl at the edges, it is an easy warning sign that your shingles are about to fail. The cause of a shingle curling could be age as well as improper installation, poor ventilation in the attic, or a leak.
Cracked Shingles
Cracked shingles are incredibly easy to spot, whether it is a massive crack across the shingle or a spiderweb crack about to break the whole shingle into little pieces. Cracks are flashing red signs that it is time for shingle replacement, whether it is just one single or the entire roof.
Missing Shingles
Shingles can simply go missing. This could be because they deteriorate or crack into small pieces and get washed away, or maybe a colossal windstorm ripped them right off. Either way, it leaves a part of your roof exposed, which requires active attention.
Missing Granules
Each season, it is recommended for homeowners to clean out their gutters. If you notice a bunch of shingle granules in your gutter system, that is an easy sign that your roofing system is starting to deteriorate and will soon need shingle replacement.
#2: Roof Failure
The last thing you want to deal with is an expensive, messy, time-consuming roof failure. Fortunately, you can save on time, money, and hassle by catching a roof failure before it occurs by utilizing shingle replacement. Here are a few examples of warning signs of potential roof failure:
Roof Valleys
The valleys of your roof are what guide rain down your roof to your gutter system. When your valley starts to fail, you will likely see leaks or some kind of gutter problem. Some commonly, roof valleys fail due to a shingle problem, but that problem can quickly escalate if not properly managed.
Exposed Nails
When you are up on your roof or are getting a roof inspection and exposed nails are found, it is a clear sign that you need shingle replacement. Exposed nails mean that your shingles are either missing or damaged beyond repair, which can lead to a rusty or leaky roof.
Failed Flashing
Roof flashing in the connecting material between shingles and other surfaces to prevent leaks. If the flashing is failing, it may be because the shingles it is attached to are failing as well.
Trampolining
Roofs are not supposed to bounce in any way, shape, or form. Therefore, when you get on top of your roof, if you feel any bounce or squish, that’s an obvious sign that the decking underneath the shingles is weak, usually due to water damage. If this occurs, you will likely need a roof repair along with shingle repair or replacement.
Leaks
Additionally, leaks are the final sign that your roof is ready to fail. If you notice a leak, you should call in a professional immediately. If left unattended, you will have a dangerous environment and a costly repair.
#3: Age & Environmental Conditions
Lastly, you can estimate when you may need shingle replacement based on the age of your roof and your environmental conditions.
First, let’s discuss age. On average, shingles can last between 20 to 30 years. Therefore, by the time you hit the 20-year marker, you should anticipate needing shingle repair in the near future.
Second, you must consider your unique environmental conditions. Shingles are designed to withstand inclement weather, including high heat, brutal sunshine, and snow. However, if your roof faces more than the average in any such category, it may deteriorate faster than average as well.
Such deterioration is especially true when it comes to hail. Every time your roof is battered by hail, you can expect some shingle damage because it knocks granules off with the sheer force of its fall. Over time, this can lead to severe damage. Therefore, you should check your roof for shingle failure if you receive regular hail or experience a freak storm with large hail.
Shingle Repair & Replacement with Roof Maxx
When it comes to convenience, cost, and time, Roof Maxx is your number one option for shingle replacement and repair. With over 165+ roofs treated last year, we have been able to help homeowners extend their roofs’ lifespans by five years at just 15% to 20% of the cost of a roof replacement. Are you interested in taking the next step to an improved roof? Call Roof Maxx to get a free quote today!
Do you have an alternative roofing style to shingles? You may want to consider switching to asphalt shingles due to their long-term sustainability and incredible savings. To learn more, we encourage you to visit our website or schedule an appointment with one of our consultants.
