You may not realize you need a new roof until you have a leak. Other parts of your home, such as your refrigerator or washing machine, are pretty obvious when they need to be replaced. Your roof shows less obvious signs that a replacement is needed.
Here are six common signs that it may be time for you to replace your roof.
When you are just moving into a home, it is important to find out when the roof was originally put on or replaced. Most roofs are made of asphalt shingles, which last approximately 20 – 25 years. If your roof is reaching this age, you should talk to Mr. Roof, a local roofing contractor in Kalamazoo, MI, to get a free estimate for having it replaced.
2. Curling Shingles
There are two different ways that you can notice your shingles curling: the shingle can form a cup shape where the outside edges begin to raise, or shingles can also start to claw, meaning the edges remain flat while the middle begins to raise. These are signs that your shingles are beginning to weather and can start leaking.
3. Missing Shingles
Small patches of missing shingles could be the result of a bad storm. In this case, the rest of the roof should be intact and you can replace the few shingles. When you start to notice large patches of missing shingles, or if they are starting to age and fall off, the whole roof may need to be replaced. It is important to note that if you are replacing small chunks of shingles, you may not be able to find an exact color match.
4. Cracked Shingles
Shingles begin to crack due to excess wind. A few here or there are easy to replace, but when you begin to notice cracked shingles across the entire roof, it is time for the roof to be replaced.
5. Gutter Granules
You may experience gutter granules if your roof is brand new. This is not necessarily a sign of a problem; it’s just some extra material from the installation. If your roof is nearing its 15-year birthday and you are noticing gutter granules, you may have a bigger problem. The granules on the shingles help protect the asphalt from the sun. Once they are exposed, the shingles will begin to rapidly deteriorate.
6. Sunlight in Your Attic
If you spend a decent amount of time in your attic and start to notice sunlight coming through the roof, you may have a problem. Check the floor of your attic for water stains and monitor them before and after a rainstorm. If the sunlight is coming through, so is water.
Call in an Expert
Have you noticed any of these signs on your roof? If so, it is time to call in a roofing contractor in Kalamazoo, MI. Mr. Roof is a reputable roofing company that offers quick and easy inspections and work estimates. Their team of professionals is available to answer any questions you may have about the health of your roof. Contact them today.
