Do you need a roof replacement? Would you know if you did? In many situations, the signs can be pretty evident, but other times they aren’t. A solid roof above your head is pretty crucial if you’ve become acclimated to having a warm, inviting, and leak-free home. Here’s how to find and address potential issues before they become challenging to manage.

With only a little research, you’ve probably come across the “25-30 year rule” for the longevity of most roofing systems. That number is used as a benchmark. A great many residential roofs need a replacement during that timeframe. However, there are quite a few variables to consider, and all roofs are unique.

Your roof takes a lot of external wear and tear with every year that flies by. Strong sunlight, powerful winds, flying trees, vermin, hurricanes, large sums of rain, or dangerous weather conditions – all of these have an impact on a roof’s lifespan. How often your roof needs to be replaced depends on many things:

Weather.

Timely maintenance and care.

Age of the materials.

How good the materials used are.

Building and design.

Were repairs addressed when needed?

Keeping pests and rodents away.

External debris build up.

Consider Your Roof’s Age

A strong initial consideration prior to inspecting your roof for cracks, breaks, and other wear and tear is how old it is. A roof that is 15-20 years or older may necessitate a total reroof, even if the roof itself seems in good shape from the naked eye. Roofs from years past were often created with roofing materials no longer useful or considered strong today. If your roof is closing in on 20 years old, it might be time for a complete inspection and possibly investing in a whole new roof altogether, especially if your roof has overlayed a previously installed roof.

Conduct An Interior Roof Check

Once you have started to brainstorm the idea of investing in a new roof, begin conducting your own research at home by inspecting your roof’s condition from the inside out. Take a flashlight with you to your attic or to the area in your home where the interior of your roof is easy to see and look for the following signs to a more serious issue:

Rays of Light: Light beams are indicators of roofs that require replacements or repairs. To see the full extent, evaluate the interior of your roof during a time of day with good sunlight to locate and identify any light beams.

Leaks: Check the attic for drips and potential leaks. Anytime a roof gets a leak, other vital structural areas of your house and its foundation are put at risk, particularly if you do not address the roofing problem as quickly as possible. Areas that are very damp can lead to additional decay and mold, and fungus can contribute to breathing and other health ailments.

Streaking & Staining: Take note of all of the inside of your roof and try to pinpoint potential spots, stains, and streaks. Inspect any discolored area of your roof for further information on its cause and potential leak culprit. Stains and streaks located in the interior of your roof are red flags to a larger and more severe problem revolving around your roof’s durability.

Missing, Loose, Or Cracked Shingles

Examining your roof’s shingles is another recommendation to determine whether or not your roof needs additional attention or a possible roof replacement entirely. While examining the outdoor shingles on your home’s roof, try to locate any cracks, dilapidated shingles, or shingles that have curled or angled upwards.

Asphalt that is curled, broken, or misshapen may necessitate a further examination to determine whether or not they can be replaced one by one or if you are better off investing in roof replacement.

Discovering tiny granules throughout your roof or stockpiling in your gutter may also be an indicator that the time has come for a total and thorough roof replacement. Large amounts of asphalt granule loss is a huge sign that the roof’s condition is not where it ought to be to ensure maximum protection and insulation for your home.

Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth

Moss begins growing on roofs that don’t get a lot of sunlight, particularly in colder climates. Moss retains water against the surface, which can result in damage.

Noticing algae or other types of nature growing on top or out of your roof? If so, don’t worry. The natural world tends to grow over any man-made building in its path if it is not adequately cared for and maintained.

When examining your roof and the new growths you have spotted, be sure to do so by inspecting both the inside and outside of your roof. While most plant growths are likely to be visible from the exterior of your roof, if there is a bigger issue at-hand, nature may also be thriving on its own inside the attic without your knowledge.

In most scenarios, treating the moss from a roof is a way to quickly remedy the issue without further investments or repairs. However, if you notice substantial growths on your roof or inside the property, the recommendation is to locate a roofing company to identify the root cause and reason for the growths.

In the event the roof is just completely overgrown, then the sensible course of action would be to get a new roof; this mostly happens to roofs that are unattended for long periods of time.

Fortunately, algae growth and accumulation are not normally indicators that you must repair or replace your roof. Rather, algae are moreso an eyesore to your roof and one that is extremely common in humid areas like Florida.

If, in the end, you do require a full roof replacement, there then becomes a number of decisions to be made. Beginning with the roofing material to use, will you stick with asphalt or consider tile? Which Miami Gardens roofing company will you hire? Whether there’s a valid insurance claim. For many people having liquid cash to get a roof replacement may not be viable; there is financing accessible for homeowners offered by certain roofing companies. Make sure to do due diligence before making any final decisions.