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5 Signs You Need a New Roof
By Martha White MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Replacing a roof is a major expense, yet it’s vital that your home has a “lid” that’s up to the job. A dilapidated roof makes you vulnerable to leaks and water damage. It also can jeopardize your homeowners insurance coverage.
Even if you’ve always maintained your insurance policy and never filed a claim, your carrier could reduce your coverage entirely or even drop you if your roof is in disrepair. (On the plus side, did you know that some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have a new roof?)
It can be difficult to know when your roof needs replacing. Even if your roof looks to be in good shape, viewed from the ground, appearances can deceive. With closer examination, a number of telltale clues that even a layperson can observe can indicate it’s time for you to have your roof evaluated by a professional.
Consider any of the five conditions we list below to be red flags indicating your roof’s demise may be approaching. If you see any, act fast; being proactive can help you avoid costly water damage inside your home.
1. Your roof is 20+ years old
Roofs age at different rates based both on the materials used to construct them and the environment and weather to which they’re exposed. But as a rule of thumb, a roof that’s 20 to 30 years old is on its last legs.
If you’ve lived in your house that long and never replaced the roof, try reaching out to the previous homeowner to find out its age. Also, iIf you’re in the market to buy a home, the best time to ask about the age of the roof is before you make an offer. Replacing a roof isn’t cheap, and if it needs to be done sooner rather than later, this could impact the size of your offer.
You may be able to ascertain when your roof was most recently replaced by asking municipal authorities for records of building permits issued on your home. In some cases, the condition of the roof itself can give you a hint as to its age: Warped or missing shingles, broken tiles or loose materials are all indications that your roof is nearing the end of its functional life.
2. Your roof lets in light
If you spy glimpses of light coming through the beams in your attic, investigate further. While vents that let in air — crucial for circulation — also let in a little bit of light, large gaps that let in light, especially if combined with water stains, are a red flag.
3. Your roof sheds granules
For a window into the health of your roof, check your gutters. Roof shingles are covered with a protective coating. When that coating sloughs off, you’ll find granules accumulating in your gutters. (If you replace your roof, you might notice granules collecting in your gutters afterwards; this is to be expected. An older roof that sheds granules is cause for concern.)
4. You see warped, cracked, or missing shingles
When shingles curl up instead of lying flat like they’re supposed to, that’s a bad sign. Warped shingles can let in water, which can infiltrate and damage your home’s framing, support beams, joists, and other structural components. It’s a good idea to inspect your roof after serious windstorms or hailstorms, especially if your roof is more than a decade old. Missing or damaged shingles indicate a roof that’s no longer able to withstand inclement weather.
5. There’s moss on your roof
A rolling stone gathers no moss, as the saying goes, but a roof can. And when it does, that warrants a closer look. The presence of moss or algae on your roof doesn’t necessarily indicate the need to replace your roof right away, but over time, these organisms can degrade the functionality of your roof shingles.
Replacing a roof is an expensive project, but it’s an essential obligation when it comes to maintaining a safe, dry, dwelling. Being proactive by setting aside funds every year for an eventual roof replacement will help your budget absorb the cost more easily. Don’t forget to contact your home insurer after your roof is replaced; you might be eligible for a discount.
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