By: Tom Ingram – Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Since I have been in this business I have heard people say they want to squeeze another year or two out of their roof. Even when I was completely new and did not know much about the industry I knew that this was not a wise idea. I never understood why people would put off their roof replacement for a year or two.
Many homeowners with $300,000–$600,000 homes hesitate to replace their roofs, even though the cost is less than 10% of their home’s value. Your roof protects everything inside — your rooms, furniture, pets, and family.
Delaying replacement only leads to more damage and higher costs later. Protect your investment and your home by replacing your roof as soon as it’s needed.
Here are 7 warning signs that you should look for annually to assess the health and life of your roofing system. If you have 4 or more of these characteristics, it’s more likely than not that your roof is well past its prime.
1. Curled or Buckled Shingles:
Curled or buckled shingles are a clear sign of roof aging or installation errors. On newer roofs, this usually means the previous roofer applied materials incorrectly.
Moisture in the attic can force nails upward, causing shingles to lift and buckle. This leaves your home exposed to weather damage and increases the risk of shingles blowing off during storms.
2. Tar Streaking or Algae Growth:
Tar streaking and algae growth happen when bacteria eat away at a roof’s weatherproofing materials. Some low-cost shingles use fillers like limestone, which algae feed on, causing black streaks and exposing the asphalt underneath.
These streaks signal that shingles are losing their protective properties. Replacing them early helps prevent further damage and restores your roof’s durability and appearance.
3. Missing Granules:
Missing granules are a clear sign your roof is losing its weatherproofing protection. Homeowners can check gutters for granule buildup each year or inspect the splash pan near downspouts for excess debris.
If you hear granules inside a downspout extension when shaken, it’s time to schedule a roof inspection. Replacing damaged shingles early helps maintain your roof’s strength and durability.
4. It’s All About Maintenance:
Once a year, you should clean the cobwebs and dust from your ventilation system and exhaust vents. Then, caulk with a high grade sealant around pipes and vents and paint any exposed metal to prevent rust. Also, remove leaves and other debris from your gutters so they don’t dam up and overflow. If this hasn’t been done over the years, you might want to get a thorough inspection on your roof.
5. Check the Attic Space for Moisture and Mold :
When attics are not vented properly and warm moist air rises through the building, it gets trapped in the attic. During the winter, condensation develops on the underside of the roof, causing rusty nails and, eventually, mold growth. Left long enough, the plywood rots out and you’ll need a new roof. This is not fun. This occurs in homes built between 1950 and 1990; Over-insulating in newer homes can also block vents.
A home must have an appropriate intake and exhaust just like a car. Soffit vents are perfect for intake and a true eve-eve ridge vent is the perfect exhaust. The reason this is so important is that obviously mold and mildew are an extremely intense health hazard. The biggest pain is the additional cost for the homeowners. If this occurs, a professional roofer will have to replace every piece of damaged wood (usually after mold remediation) adding thousands of dollars to the cost of the roof.
6. Missing Shingles:
Missing shingles are an open pathway for water to enter into your home. It’s as simple as that!
7. Daylight Coming Through Roof Boards:
This is also an obvious warning sign that your roof needs replacing, most people don’t know about it. If you enter your attic during daylight and notice light streaming through the roof decking, serious issues may be present. This indicates nails have fallen out or that corrosive materials like flashing and collars have lost their weatherproofing properties. Obviously exposed light shows open pathways for moisture to enter your home.
You can easily assess your roof’s condition by doing a simple visual inspection and following a few key tips. A common misconception is that a roof is good for twenty or more years. While a new roof should last for decades, poor installation or low-quality materials can make its age irrelevant. Use these tips and help protect your home, family and peace of mind. Roofing issues can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare—proving that an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
If you suspect your roof is aging, call us today for a free inspection to assess its remaining lifespan. We pride ourselves in offering the best roofing products, installation and warranties in the industry! Contact us today at (888) 812-2783.
