If you are a first-time homeowner, there may be things you do not know about. One of these things is the roof. You should learn how to know when it is time to replace your roof. Below is information to help you know that it is time so you can contact a roofing company to replace your roof for you.
Shingles
The shingles will start to show some wear and tear over time. When your shingles are extremely worn down, it is time for roof replacement. Look at the shingles and see if there are any missing. If there are only a few, you can have them replaced. If you have a lot of shingles that are missing, however, you should have the entire roof replaced. Look in the gutters to see if you see a lot of granules. It is common to see a few granules, but if you see a large amount, this is a sign that the shingles are not in good condition. Over time, asphalt shingles will wear down and shed the granules. This makes the shingles thin, so they can more easily be damaged during wind or rainstorms or if you have a lot of snow or ice on the roof.
Look at the edges of the shingles. If they are curled up in any way, you need to have the roof replaced. This is a sign the shingles are aged and worn down. You may also see shingles that have cracks in them. If you do not replace the roof and it leaks, water can get into your attic and cause even more problems for you. Mold and mildew could start to grow in the attic and the structure could become unstable.
Roof Rot
Your roof can rot if it is dirty. For example, algae buildup will cause the shingles to deteriorate much faster. If the roof has moss on it, this can cause moisture to build up on your roof. This moisture gets trapped under the moss so it can quickly deteriorate your roof. If moss is cleaned quickly, this won't happen, but if the moss has been on the roof for a long period of time, you need to replace the roof. This is especially true if the moss has spread across the roof.
Look at the flashing to see if it is intact or torn. If it is torn, this is a sign that your roof may be suffering from water damage. You may see water damage on the ceiling inside your home, which is a sign of the roof leaking.
Contact a roofing contractor to come to your home and inspect the roof. They can inspect the roof for you and tell you if you need a roof replacement.