If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t look at your roof often, so you may not notice it has deteriorated badly until problems develop that cause costly damage to your home. If you can identify any of the following warning signs, it’s wise to have your shingle roofing inspected to determine if it needs replacement:
Advanced Shingle Age
Depending on the exact type/grade of shingle roofing you have, you can expect it to last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Our often-harsh Iowa weather with its seasonal extremes can take a toll on shingles and shorten their expected lifespan, though. If you haven’t replaced the roof since you purchased your home, it’s wise to schedule an inspection to assess its age and condition.
Patches of Missing/Broken Shingles
Continual exposure to the elements can make asphalt shingles brittle, so they’re more susceptible to breaking or being torn off completely during a storm. If you have a couple of missing/broken shingles here and there, it may be possible to have them replaced. If there’s more widespread damage, you’ll likely need a full replacement to ensure that your roof stays watertight.
Curled or Buckled Shingles
If you have multiple areas on the roof where the shingles are curled up on the edges, or buckled in the middle, it’s likely due to the long-term effects of the sun’s UV radiation. Replacing your roof will likely be necessary to prevent rainwater from getting underneath the shingles, where it can decay the roof decking and leak into your attic and exterior walls.
Decay or Damage in the Attic
Evidence that your roof is in bad shape often shows up in the attic, and may include dried or fresh water stains or visible patches of daylight on the underside of the roof sheathing. Other warning signs are dripping or puddled water, wet attic insulation, or corrosion on light fixtures, electrical, HVAC and other metal components.
Bare Spots Without Granules
The granules that top your shingles are there to protect the substrate underneath from UV degradation. Over time, the granules will gradually loosen and fall off or get washed away by the rain. If your shingle roof has numerous “bald” spots without any remaining granules, it’s beyond repair and needs replacement before it starts leaking.
To schedule an inspection to determine if the shingle roofing on your Des Moines home needs replacement, contact us at VanWeelden Company.
