Signs That You Need to Replace Your Roof

Sooner or later you will need to replace your asphalt shingle roof. The only question is when should you do this. It is true that you can attempt to replace a few shingles, but this is something that should only be done as a normal part of maintenance. There will come a time when you need to replace the entire roof. The following are a few things to look for that indicate you need a new roof.

The age of your roof
If your roof is 15 years or older, you might want to consider replacing it. In some cases, depending upon the weather in your town, a asphalt shingle roof may last up to 20 years. As a rule of thumb, if you have a lot of rain or four seasons, you should plan for the lower number of 15 years. Moderate climates you may get 20 years out of your roof. However, once it reaches this figure, you should plan on getting a new roof. There is no reason to wait until it begins to degrade. An old roof can seemingly fall apart overnight, and you will be stuck needing a new roof. Usually this will be at the worst time such as the rainy season.

The shingles are becoming brittle
Even before the average lifespan of asphalt shingles arrives, you may still need a new roof. It may look fine, but one day when you are on top of the roof, several shingles may crumble or breakaway under your feet. This is a sign that your shingles are simply getting old. You may also notice particles of your roof’s shingles in the rain gutters. The sun and wind begin to erode the shingles, and the first rain storm comes and washes away these particles. Much of this is caught in your rain gutters. Some of it may find its way down the gutter pipe to the ground.

Your roof looks like its in poor condition
One thing you may notice is that you need new shingles in patches around the roof. This is not to say you have a single spot on the roof that needs a repair, but there are several places that need a repair. Unless you have been through a tropical storm with high winds, this is not normal. It is a sign that you need a new roof. Another thing to look for is the color of the shingles. Generally speaking, asphalt shingles will fade in color over time.

If you think you need a new roof, then contact a professional roofing company upper marlboro md to get an estimate for the job.