Replacing a roof is a major expense for homeowners but so is neglecting the necessary replacement and dealing with damaged infrastructure and water damage. It is therefore very important to keep a close eye on the condition of your roof and make good decisions about when it’s time to replace your roof. The advice in this article addresses shingled roofs for the most part, but there are numerous innovative materials to choose from when it comes time to choosing your new roof – read our article on the rise of metal roofing.
*Editor’s Note: since we’re limited to just 5 signs that point to the need to replace your old or damaged shingles, we’re skipping over the two most obvious clues: water and light. If you notice water or daylight leaking through your roof, it’s time to call in the roofing crew! Now, let’s look at 5 other re-roofing clues that might not be as obvious to homeowners.
- Check out the Neighbour’s Roof
As simple as it might seem, if you live in a neighbourhood where the homes were built within a few years of each other, chances are your roofs will be on the same wear-tear-replace cycle. If you’re looking across the street to check out their shingles, especially roofs that you can easily see from your second story window, remember to consider the orientation of your home and remember that west facing surfaces often show the first signs of damage.
- Track your Energy Usage
Many utility companies offer month-over-month and year-over-year comparisons of your energy consumption. A dramatic increase in energy usage could be a sign that your roof is no longer offering the efficient insulation that it is designed for and that it might be time to replace your roof. If you’re not able to track your energy use, try to pay attention to how easy it is to maintain a comfortable and steady temperature in your home, particularly on the top floor of multi-story homes.
- Pellets in the Eavestroughs, Bald Shingles
Brand new asphalt shingles have a gritty texture and are generously coated with granules. As the shingles age, they shed their granules and begin to look “bald”. If you notice that your eavestroughs are full of small pellets or that you’ve got a growing pile of grit at the bottom of your downspouts, you could be seeing signs that it’s time to replace your roof. When it comes to shingles, bald is not beautiful!
- Ice Build-up
Icicles hanging from the edges of your roof may look picture perfect on a cold and sunny winter’s day but they are a tell-tale clue that your roof is not holding in the heat that it’s supposed to. Icicles and ice dams form when snow on your roof is melted by heat loss from your attic and then refreeze when they hit the cold winter air. Don’t forget to inspect all sides of your roof during the winter, even if you don’t usually go into the back or side yards. And similar to clue number one, check out your neighbours ice-build up and compare similarly oriented slopes on your roof.
- Curling, Broken or Missing Shingles
Your roof’s first line of defense are the shingles. If you have large patches of roof that have shingles which are curling in the corners, have cracked and broken away, or are missing entirely, your roof cannot do an effective job of protecting your home from the elements. If your shingles are starting to lift or curl, it is definitely a clue that it’s time to start thinking about replacing your roof.
These 5 clues for when it’s time to replace your roof are not the only signs to look for. If you notice any of these signs of damage to your roof, or notice other problems that make you question the effectiveness and efficiency of your current roof, don’t hesitate to reach out to the roofing specialists at RenovAction in Ottawa. We’d be happy to answer your questions and guide you through your options for repairing or replacing your roof.
