If you’re looking for warning signs that you need to replace your roof, you’re in the right place! We’ve done the research to find the signs you should be concerned about the quality of your roof. Some of these will likely require a completely new roof, while you can hire a technician to repair others. Under each sign, we’ll make a recommendation on if you should replace your roof or if a repair will suffice.
When it comes to your roof, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. That’s why we recommend hiring a professional for any roof-related issues. They are trained to work on roofs and know what the best conditions for undertaking roofing work are.
Are you ready to hire a roofer already? You can get custom bids from Near Me professionals with the click of a button. All you need to do is answer a few quick questions about your roof and you’ll be on your way to custom bids from local roofers. On Near Me, the average cost of hiring a roofer is £4,732. This cost will vary based on the extent of your project, though. Submit a free request and compare costs.
Long time readers of our blog will know we always list DIY tips to get projects done on a tight budget, however, roofing is one to leave to the professionals because it’s hard work and it’s not without dangers.
Professional roofers wear footwear with good traction and protection from nails like steel cap work boots because of the danger of falling. As a matter of fact, 39% of fatalities in the construction industry occur from falling so roofing projects are not one for your friendly neighbourhood DIY enthusiast.
Now, let’s get into the glaring signs you need a new roof. After the signs, we’ll also go over some tips to help you keep your roof in tip-top shape, so don’t miss out!
15 Signs You Need a New Roof
1. Light in Your Attic
If you can see light coming into your attic or loft, this is a sign of a roof that needs some TLC. Your roof may be suffering from cracks or missing shingles. Take a look at the exterior of your home for any signs of damage on your roof. If you see anything concerning, it’s time to ask a pro to examine your roof. After all, if daylight is able to get into your home, other things can, too. A few cracks in your roof can lead to vermin entering your home or a leaky roof and water damage.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, a repair is often enough
2. Age of Your Roof
As a rule of thumb, most roofs can last for 20-25 years before they need to be replaced. The lifespan of your roof will depend on its material and the weather conditions you live in. If your roof is constantly being pelted with hail, it won’t last as long as a roof that gets a bit of rain once in a while.
Check out our chart below to find the average lifespan of your roof’s material:
Replace or Repair: Replacing an old roof is the most effective solution
3. Shingles Aren’t Flat
Shingles that don’t lay flat are a sign of damage. This issue could be due to a faulty installation or lasting water damage. If you are the victim of a bad installation, contact your roofer and discuss your options. You should also be aware of the insurance options available to you in the case of faulty workmanship. In the case of water damage or other weather-related issues, you may be able to replace a small area of your roof instead of the entire home.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, a repair is often enough
4. Missing Shingles
As long as missing shingles aren’t the sign of underlying damage, you should hire a professional to replace the shingles that have fallen out of place. This will not be a huge task, as you’re not replacing the entire roof. However, if there are underlying issues like faulty installation or damage to your entire roof, you may need to have a new roof installed.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, a repair is often enough
5. Roof is Leaking
A leaky roof is never a good sign. Leaks in your roof could be due to missing shingles, blocked gutters, and more. If your roof is leaking, it’s best to submit a request straight away so that you can get your roof back in tip top shape. In the meantime, stick a bucket under the leak so it doesn’t do any more damage. Leaks in your roof can lead do water damage, mould, mildew, and more.
Replace or Repair: A full replacement of a leaky roof is the best choice
6. The Roof is Drooping or Sagging
A sagging roof could be due to structural issues in your home or deep water damage. If your roof simply needs more stability in your loft or attic, a professional can install extra rafters or struts. On the other hand, if the issue is that your roof is too heavy for your home, a pro can replace your roof using a lighter material. Both are feasible options that will help your roof last for years to come. If your sagging roof is due to deep water damage, you will need to replace it.
Replace or Repair: Replacing a drooping or sagging roof is the safest option
7. Mould, Moss, or Fungi on Your Roof
Mould, moss, and fungi originate from excess moisture on your roof. Due to this, the best way to deal with these issues is often replacing your roof. However, if the moss is only on the exterior of your roof and hasn’t made it into your home, a deep cleaning should suffice. In either case, we recommend asking a professional to take a look before you make any arrangements.
Replace or Repair: Moss may only need deep cleaning, but mould or fungi could require a full replacement
8. Mould or Fungi Inside Your Home
Like mould and moss on your roof, having mould or fungi inside your home is a sign of water damage. You should treat this issue as soon as it arises to avoid further damage and illness. Having mould inside your home is harmful to your respiratory system, and could cause health issues for your family. Hire a roofer and dry lining technician as soon as you notice mould or fungi on your walls or ceiling.
Replace or Repair: Replace your roof to avoid future issues
9. Water Stains in Your Home
Water stains in your home are likely due to a leaky roof that needs to be replaced. If you notice water stains on the ceiling of the upper floor of your home, submit a request as soon as you can. You don’t want the stains to get worse or turn into mould and fungi. If there are water stains on the lower floors of your home, they could be due to leaky pipes that need tending to. Essentially, hire a professional if you see water stains on the walls or ceiling of your home.
Replace or Repair: A full replacement of a leaky roof is the best choice
10. Paint is Peeling
Another sign of water damage from a leaky roof is peeling paint on your ceiling or walls. This often occurs on cement walls, rather than walls with dry lining. You are likely to see peeling paint as a result of a leaky roof in your garage or basement, but it could happen anywhere. Depending on the reach of the water damage, you should be able to replace a small part of your roof. Otherwise, you will need to install an entirely new roof.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, you could need to replace a small section or the entire roof
11. Granules in Your Gutters
Having a few granules in your gutter is not a reason to be alarmed, but if they are constantly shedding from your roof, you should bring in a professional. When you’re cleaning your gutters, you should check for an excess of granules that have fallen from your roof. They shed more as the roof ages or after inclement weather. Since the granules help protect your roof from the elements, it’s best to replace a shedding roof before the situation gets much worse.
Replace or Repair: Replace a shedding roof
12. Hail Damage
Heavy hail can do a fair amount of damage to your roof, as you can see in the photo. In most cases, the damage should be limited enough that you can hire a professional to repair your roof or replace a small section of it. However, if the hail manages to cut through your shingles and roof, it may be time to replace the roof with a stronger material. In either case, it’s best to get a professional opinion before you jump into a huge project like installing a new roof.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, a repair should be sufficient
13. Obstructed Drainage
Your gutters are there for a reason, and that reason is not to host flowers or other greenery. Gutters allow water to drain off of your roof and away from your home. If you let it, greenery and vermin will overtake your gutters and take away their main purpose. The key is to be vigilant and clean your gutters on a regular basis. Gutter issues can generally be fixed with a deep clean, but if the problem is bad enough, you may need to replace your gutters.
You should also watch out for obstructions in the valleys of your roof. Wherever different pieces of a roof meet each other, a valley forms. These lines allow rain to flow off of the roof, into the gutters, and away from the house. If a bird or other animal decides to make one of the valleys on your roof their home, this will cause the water flow to be obstructed. You can hire an animal control professional to relocate an animal that has made its home on your roof.
Replace or Repair: Depending on the extent of the damage, a repair or replacement will be needed
14. Damaged Chimney Flashing
If the flashing around your chimney is damaged, your home could be vulnerable to water damage or pest invasions. If you notice that your flashing is looking less than ideal, it’s time to bring in a professional. You don’t want the situation to get worse, as it could lead to you having to replace your chimney and the surrounding area in your home. Plus, a wet chimney could lead to a wet fireplace, which isn’t great for starting fires.
Replace or Repair: The choice will depend on the extent of the damage and the stability of your chimney
15. Neighbours are Replacing Their Roofs
If your house was built around the same time as your neighbours’ were, keep an eye out for when they’re replacing their roofs. If multiple neighbours are replacing their roofs around the same time, you should consider installing a new roof on your home. This is especially important if you haven’t lived in your home for very long and are unsure of the age of the roof. As we said earlier, a roof generally lasts between 20 and 25 years.
Replace or Repair: Replace your roof if it has been around as long as your neighbours’ roofs
3 Tips for Preserving Your New Roof
1. Check for Cracks
Before repairing or replacing your roof, be sure to check for cracks in your walls and foundation. Having a new roof installed without addressing issues with the foundation of your home will only lead to more expenses. It’s better to tackle the underlying issues in your foundation before taking on projects with your roof.
Even if your home is a new build, you should be aware of any cracks or movements in your foundation. As the ground under your home shifts and settles, it can cause your home to move. Even an inch of movement on one side of your house is enough to cause issues in the future.
If you have any doubts about the stability of your home or the quality of your foundation, we recommend reaching out to a professional for reliable advice. You can submit a request for foundation repair on Near Me and ask a technician to have a look at your foundation before you start on your roof.
2. Check for Proper Drainage
Your new roof won’t be in top shape for long if it doesn’t drain properly. You should be checking that your gutters are clear on a regular basis, as overflowing gutters can lead to water damage and mould. We also recommend inspecting the valleys of your roof for obstructions every so often to make sure there is nothing preventing rainwater from draining off your roof. After all, there is nothing worse than standing water on a roof. Not only will standing water cause damage to your home, but it can attract vermin and bugs!
As a rule of thumb, when there’s rain in the weather forecast, it’s likely a good time to check your roof for drainage issues. You should also check after the rain has passed to clear out any issues that may have arisen during the rain. Investing in a high-quality ladder and working in a pair will make this venture safer and easier than going it alone.
If you’re worried about how your house can stand up to extreme weather, you can hire a weatherproofing specialist on Near Me. A weatherproofing specialist can perform an inspection on your home and do repair work or install a new system based on the results.
3. Ventilate Air Properly
Most houses have rooms that require proper ventilation. These rooms are often home to a fair amount of water vapour that can be damaging to the interior of your home. Of course, the rooms we’re referring to are the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. If these rooms have ventilation that leads to your attic or loft instead of outside, this can spell lasting trouble for your home, specifically your roof.
Are you unaware of how air is ventilated in your home? Take a look at the exterior of your home. If you struggle to find a source of ventilation, it might be time to get the pros in. You can also venture up to your attic and look for ventilation pipes. Ventilation pipes bringing warm, damp air into your attic or loft is not a good sign.
To fix ventilation problems in your home and to help protect your roof from future damage, we recommend hiring a professional. A duct and vent technician can assess the situation and fix it for you. This will help protect your roof from water vapour damage in the future and the risk of mould.
We hope you find our signs you need a new roof and tips for preserving your roof helpful! Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it’s imperative that you maintain it.
If you think it’s time to replace your roof, you can find a professional roofer on Near Me. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your roof and we’ll work to get you custom bids from local professionals, submit a free request today!