If you had asphalt shingles installed to your house, you've probably chosen them because of their low price. Generally, the price is the indication of the roof's quality. If you bought it at a very low cost, chances are you will need to replace it once its life starts to draw to a close. However, if you've taken good care of your roofing system, it might serve you longer than expected. This is very useful if you don't want to replace your roof very soon.
Keeping that in mind, there are still some signs that indicate the need of having your shingle roof replaced. Anything can happen despite the fact that you've maintained your roof well.
Longevity of Your Roof
Usually, an asphalt shingle roof lasts for 20 to 30 years. If your roof is approaching its 30th birthday, that may a sign for you to have it replaced. It doesn't matter if you don't see anything suspicious or risky – the fact that your roof is pretty old is should be alarming enough. Have an expert roofing contractor inspect your roof. If they determine that your roof is too old, replacing it is inevitable. Also, try to consider having a more durable and lasting roof installed despite the price.
State of Your Shingles
Upon closer inspection, you've discovered that some of the shingles have started to curl up, or there are bumps in the middle. These are the consequences of continuous weathering of the roof caused by harsh atmospheric conditions. If there is a large number of them, replacing them might not be the best option here.
If you find that some of the shingles are missing, you would want to replace them. This is a perfectly reasonable solution. However, if you find several such gaps on your roof or you repeatedly find missing shingles, the best thing would be to completely replace your roof. The same goes with cracked shingles. It would be wise to replace the whole thing once, rather than having several repair sessions with your roofer, which will not prolong your roof's live for much longer.
The Attic
The space directly below your roof is a good indicator of its health. The first thing is to check for any damp spots. It is best to check them after a rainfall or a storm to see if rain was able to enter through your roof. This could mean your insulation system isn't working quite well too.
Should you spot sunlight entering your attic, be sure to check the source of the light. If the leaks are small, there will no problem for you to fix them immediately. However, larger leaks are definitely not a good sign. After a consultation with your roofing contractor, it might be necessary to have your roofing system replaced.
Granules in The Gutter
Finding shingle granules in the gutter is not a big warning sign. However, if you keep finding them over the course of a decade, this is a sign your roof isn't serving its purpose. Granules allow the sunlight to reflect off your roof, and if they are missing from your shingles, the exposure to the sun will quickly cause faster deterioration of your roof. It is best to let a professional roofing contractor inspect your shingles for proper functioning. They will be able to tell you more about the state of your roof.