When does it make sense to replace your roof instead of just getting it repaired? The answer depends on your specific circumstances, but generally speaking, if your roof has hit the 20+ year mark, you might need to consider a replacement, especially if it’s an asphalt shingle roof. At a certain point, a roof is no longer repairable, any repairs made will only be short-lived temporary bandage solutions.

Is your roof nearing the end of its lifespan?

Here are the average lifespans for the most common roofing systems:

Asphalt shingle roof lifespan: 15-30 years

Metal roof lifespan: 40-70 years

TPO roof lifespan: 20-30

PVC roof lifespan: 10-30

Torch Down waterproof membrane lifespan: 15-20

If your roof is getting up in age, coming close to the end of its lifespan, you might need a new roof soon. If you’re already experiencing major problems that aren’t remedied by repairs, you probably need a new roof sooner than later before you sink any more money into temporary solutions.

Although a quality roof is built to last with strong materials, nothing lasts forever. Your roof is exposed to the elements, which can be brutal at times. It’s taking all the hits from rain, wind, tree branches, animals, snow, and random events. The average roof will last around 25. Years, but that timeframe can be cut short by damage, especially if that damage isn’t handled right away.

The consequences of ignoring your need for a new roof

When you need a new roof, but you ignore your needs, there will be consequences. What, exactly, will depend on your unique situation, but you can’t get away with ignoring it for long. Sooner or later, the small problems you’re having now will become much larger if they aren’t resolved.

Not getting your roof replaced when necessary can result in:

• Decreased curb appeal. Good luck selling a home with an ugly, torn up roof. Most buyers won’t want to take on the project of replacing the roof, and you will reduce the number of offers you get if you don’t tackle the problem before listing your property. It will also look ugly and your neighbors will probably complain.
• Worse damage. Say you had a tree crash into your roof and tear a hole through it, but you’ve been covering it with a temporary tarp for too long. After a while, that tarp will start to deteriorate and could allow water into your building. You might also end up with worse damage if another tree hits your roof since the area will already be weakened.
• Perpetual problems. You probably don’t want to spend most of your time chasing the same or similar repairs over and over again, but that’s a likely scenario when you don’t replace your roof. Roofs that are nearing the need for replacement often end up with multiple problems at once that can’t really be patched long-term.
• Wasted money. When you postpone replacing your roof, you’ll end up wasting money on repairs that should be put toward replacing your roof. None of the repairs you make will be more than short-term, so it’s only a matter of time before you really have no choice but to replace your roof. It’s better to replace it before you get to that point to avoid wasting your cash.

Do you really need a new roof? Can you get away with just making some repairs? It depends. The only way to know for certain is to get a professional roof inspection and get some insight from a pro. In the meantime, there are a handful of signs you should keep in mind.

Here are the top 9 signs that indicate you might need a new roof

1. You have serious water damage

Water damage to your roof is serious because given enough time, the wood will rot and become weaker, compromising the integrity of your foundation. If your roof has been leaking for a while, it might be cheaper to replace the whole roof while you fix the water damage.

Having major leaks or multiple leaks is a sign that your roof was either installed improperly or it is no longer doing its job. The cause source of your leak(s) could be anything from bad flashing to cracked vents and even lifted nails.

If you have or suspect you might have water damage, call us right now at (253) 377-3800 to schedule a free roof inspection. We’ll find the source of your leak and provide a professional estimate to have your roof repaired or replaced based on what we find.

2. You find broken pieces of shingles in your yard

Finding pieces of broken shingles in your yard is never a good sign. If this happens to you, the cause could be anything, and it’s hard to see what’s going on from the ground. Whatever you have going on, the wind is blowing already broken chunks of shingles down. That means your shingles are in bad shape. If you notice pieces of shingles in your yard, give us a call and we’ll come out to inspect your roof at no cost.

3. Your roof is sagging

A sagging roof is one of the most obvious indications you need a new roof. Sagging suggests there’s a structural problem below the sagging shingles, which can be caused by anything from a busted rafter to major water damage.

The only way to know what’s causing a sagging roof is to have a professional roofing contractor inspect it by removing the shingles and plywood sheathing to see what’s happening underneath.

4. Your shingles are curling, cupping, or clawing

Clawing, cupping, and curling shingles are a bad sign that your roof is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. Cupping and curling are when the ends of your shingles start to curl up and away from your roof, pointing upwards. Clawing is when only the center of the shingle lifts up, but the ends remain connected to the roof.

The common causes for these issues are poor ventilation, improper installation, and also age. If you see any of these problems with your shingles, call us right away at (253) 377-3800 and we’ll come perform a free, comprehensive roof inspection to see what’s going on.  

5. Your roof is just old

If your shingles are nearing the 25-year mark, it’s a good idea to start planning for a new roof. You may not need one right away, but it’s almost guaranteed that you will within a few years. Start planning now because you might need to finance your roof if you can’t cover it immediately out of pocket.

If you have any other type of roof that is nearing the end of its average lifespan, it’s also wise to start planning for a new roof. To be sure you know what’s going on with your roof and whether or not you need a replacement, call us now to schedule a free roof inspection and we’ll give you a full report regarding what’s going on and provide you with our expert recommendations. If you end up needing a new roof, we’ve got you covered. We can even help you finance your new roof through Enhancify, where you can get up to $200,000 in 2-3 business days.

6. Your neighbors are redoing their roof

When you start hearing roofers in your neighborhood, it could be a sign that your roof is ready to be replaced, too. In most areas, houses are built around the same time, using the same types of materials purchased in bulk by the builders. If your neighbors are replacing their roofs, and you still have your original roof, maybe you should consider getting a new one, too.

7. You’re missing plenty of shingles

A few missing shingles is not necessarily a sign that you need a new roof. It could be from improper installation or random tree branches knocking them loose during a storm. However, if you’re missing quite a few shingles, they could be blowing off of your roof because the adhesive is no longer sticking. This is a sign that it’s time for a new roof.

8. You find granules in the gutter

Finding single granules in your gutter is a bad sign. It means your shingles are losing their grit for some reason, which is leaving them exposed to the elements. The granules on your shingles are specifically designed to protect your roof from the elements, including damaging UV rays from the sun. Without the protective granules, your shingles will quickly start to cup and claw, which will only continue to get worse.

You will naturally lose a bit of grit from a new installation, but if your roof has been in place for several years, you shouldn’t be losing any granules.

9. You just had a professional inspection

If you’re looking for signs that you need a new roof, nothing is more reliable than having your roof professionally inspected by a licensed roofing contractor. If you get an inspection and your roofer tells you it’s in bad shape and you’re better off replacing your roof, take that as your sign.

Need a roof replacement? We’ve got you covered

At AAA#1 Roofing, we want you to have a dependable, long-lasting roof that protects you and your family from the elements for many years to come. We will never try to sell you anything you don’t need. If your roof is struggling or you’ve noticed some problems, give us a call now at (253) 377-3800 and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free roof inspection and estimate so you can know what’s going on and what we recommend as a solution.

If you need a roof replacement, we will explain which type of roof we recommend and why so you aren’t in the dark about anything. We will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice based on what’s appropriate for your building.

We only work with the finest, high-quality materials, so you can be sure that any roof we install will last for a long time.

Whether you know you need a new roof or you’re still not sure, give us a call right now at (253) 377-3800 so we can help you get exactly what you need.

At AAA#1 Roofing, we strive to ensure our communities have safe and durable roofs to protect them from the elements. Don’t allow small issues to grow larger – take care of your roof maintenance needs now.

Contact us now at (253) 377-3800 to get a FREE roof inspection and repair estimate so you can have peace of mind knowing your roof is properly protecting your investment.