Most roofs have a lifespan of 30 years, but this can vary significantly based on a variety of factors. So how can you tell if your roof needs to be replaced sooner, before damage to your home starts?
The actual life of your roof depends on factors such as:
type of materials used.
quality of workmanship
local weather conditions
exposure to sunlight
tile colour
roof pitch angle
how much walking is done on your roof
adequacy of roof space ventilation (which helps keep your roof cooler in the summer)
And as such, your particular roof’s lifespan can be very different from 15-25 years.
Determining whether your roof is ready for replacement requires a visual inspection. Depending on your particular home, this visual inspection may be done from a ladder, binoculars from the
ground, or a drone camera.
CATCHING THE PROBLEM SIGNS
The following are the signs that your roof may be ready to be replaced (or at least repaired):
Missing Tiles
If your roof has begun losing tiles, then this is one of the tell-tale signs that your roof may need to be replaced. Missing one or two tiles after a severe windstorm is one thing, but missing tiles in multiple locations across your roof is a bad sign.
Cracking or Loose Mortar
If you begin to see large sections of your mortar that just don’t look right, then this is a sign that
your roof is maybe due for replacement. Some of these problems may be due to inadequate
ventilation in your roof space. Proper ventilation of your attic is necessary to help keep your roof
cooler in the summer and to reduce moisture levels.
Moss and Lichen Build-up
Algae stains are just cosmetic and typically will not cause deterioration of your roof. However, the building up of moss and lichen on your roof can signal that your roof has begun decaying
underneath the shingles.
Peeling Paint on the Underside of Roof Overhangs.
If you begin to see watermarks, spotting or peeling paint on the underside of your roof overhangs, this could be a sign that your roof has already started leaking.
Ceiling Spots
Moisture spots and dark areas on your indoor ceilings can, of course, be indications that your roof has begun to leak. They can also be a sign that the flashing around vent pipes, your chimney, etc. needs to be re-sealed. If you have an attic with exposed roof beams and boards, you can inspect it to try to see where the source of the water is coming from.
If you begin to notice any of these problems with your roof, you should immediately have a
thorough inspection done of your roof. One of the tough questions will be whether it is better to
patch a few bad areas of your roof, or if you need to do a complete roof replacement. The answer to this will be determined by the extent of your roof’s problem and its age.
