Roof repairs can be a major expense, but that’s nothing in comparison to the cost of repairs that can occur if you experience leaking or rot as a result of a poorly-maintained roof. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your roof? There are several factors in play that you can look to when trying to consider if it’s time to call a roofer. If you’re experiencing any one of these issues, it might be worth giving a roofing company a call.

Issues With the Shingles

When looking at the overall health of your roof, your shingles are perhaps the most important diagnostic criteria that can’t be overlooked. There are several ways that shingles can begin to show age. If your shingles are curved, the shingle tabs are cupped, or if there are cracks or bald spots where shingles are broken or missing, it’s definitely time to give a roofing service a call. Shingle manufacturers design shingles with a certain shelf life in mind, about 20 years. While many shingles are designed to be durable, there are factors in place that can speed up the aging of your roof. For example, if your roof is poorly ventilated, your shingles may be negatively impacted, which means that your roof may not live up to the expected lifespan set up by shingle manufacturers.

Look to the Neighbors

If you notice that several other people in your neighborhood are in the process of getting new roofs, that might be a sign that it’s getting to be that time for your home as well. This is especially true in suburbs where homes were constructed around the same time. That, in combination with the fact that all the homes in your area will have been subjected to the same weather conditions means that your major repair schedules should be approximately the same.

Other Things to Look Out For

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f your home has dark streaks on it, it’s possible that you might have been affected by airborne algae. This is more of an eyesore than a health or safety risk, however, and can be removed with a mixture that’s equal parts bleach and water sprayed onto your roof through a low-volume garden hose. If you undertake this process, make sure that you protect your landscaping from the bleach runoff, or you may experience discoloration or death of plants and grasses. Another plant problem you can deal with is moss, which will typically grow in cool, damp environments. While algae may be just a cosmetic issue, moss can cause problems when it traps moisture under your roof. In colder climates, this can damage the shingle granules. If this is a problem you’re experiencing, it’s important to call a professional roofing company, as the moss can be scraped off, but there isn’t much you can do to keep it from growing again.

These are just a few things to look out for when you’re deciding whether or not it’s time for you to get a new roof. The actual service life and durability of your roof will depend on several things, such as the climate in which you live, any natural disasters your home may have been subjected to, or the shingle manufacturers who produced your roofing materials. While reaching out to a roofing service might be a costly endeavor, a new roof will add value to your home, and will prevent costly structural damage from happening as a result of a leaky or poorly ventilated roof. This will save you time and money in the long run.