Is it time for you to replace your roof? How do you know if it is time for a new roof? We get these questions from homeowners in Heber & Midway every week.

Having a properly functioning roof on your home is essential in higher elevation towns when winter arrives. A roof that is at the end of its life can cause many problems for homeowners once we experience cold temperatures and snow.

In this article, we will look at five signs that homeowners can look out for to tell them if it might be time for a new roof.

1. GRANULES ARE COLLECTING IN YOUR GUTTER

A significant sign that your shingle roof is reaching the end of its life is finding asphalt granules collecting in your gutter. Overtime, shingle roofs will begin losing some of their asphalt top material that protects your home from the elements. At the end of a shingles life, asphalt granules come off much more rapidly.

If you are finding granules connecting in your gutter, it is a sign that you might need to start looking into getting a new roof for your home.

2. SHINGLES ARE CURLING OR CRACKING

Shingles that are curled are another sign that your roof is reaching the end of its life. Take a look at your roof slopes, especially those with direct sunlight, and see if the bottom your shingles are curling up towards the sky.

Shingles will begin to curl due to a loss of asphalt granules that keep the shingle protected and ridged.

3. ROOF AGE

The age of your roof will usually be the first indicator that you need a new roof. If your roof is 15 to 20 years old and is a shingle roof, it could be time for a replacement.

Depending on the type of shingle used, shingle roofs typically have a lifespan between 15 and 25 years.

If you have a metal roof and the roof is 40 to 50 years old and starting to fail, it could be time for a repair or replacement.

If you know your roof age, give a quality roofing company a call to schedule an inspection.

4. MISSING SHINGLES

Another sign that your roof could be reaching the end of its lifespan is if you see that your roof is missing shingles.

Missing shingles don’t always indicate that a roof needs to be replaced, but it is a good sign.

Missing shingles or wood shake shingles can also become damaged due to high winds or big storms.

If you see that you are missing shingles, it is good to call for a repair and have a roofer look at your roof while they assess the repair.

5. CONSISTENT ROOF LEAKS

If your roof always leaks it is likely time for a new roof. Roofs that leak consistently are usually caused by old materials no longer being capable of adequately keeping out water.

Materials break down over time and begin to become more susceptible to water penetrations.  

If you are experiencing consistent roof leaks, it may be time for a new roof.