When it comes to keeping an eye on your roofing system, there are a lot of concerns to look out for. As you likely know, a lot of things can go wrong over time. Unfortunately, there comes a time when all roofs need to be replaced to protect your property. Here’s a brief overview of the most common issues we see that lead our clients to seek out professional roof contractors.

 

1. Curled, Cracked, or Missing Shingles

One of the most common, easily spotted signs of asphalt shingle roof degradation can be found in the shingles themselves. That said, it’s important to keep an eye on the whole roof! According to Roofer’s Guild, the average residential roof in the United States is a whopping 1,600 square feet, meaning there are a lot of shingles you could potentially lose. Weathering and age eventually wear on shingles enough to make them curl and snap. With enough doing, the wind may even take a few of them off altogether. When this happens to enough of the roof, our best recommendation is to replace it.

Some roofing contractors out there may try doubling up on your shingle layering to prevent gaps, but this is a bad idea. Shingles aren’t designed to layer like that, and doing so can cause extra moisture to get trapped. As you likely know, moisture is something you don’t want your roof to maintain.

2. Granule Loss in the Gutters

If your shingles are still attached but looking a bit bald, this is a good indication that you need a new roof. You can check your gutters to see if the granules have fallen in, but regardless of where they’ve ended up, missing granules are a sign that your asphalt shingles are past their prime. The only solution is to get a fresh new installation in place to keep your property secure.

 

3. Roofing Over 20 Years Old

Naturally, like anything else, your roofing installation can’t last forever. While we recommend investing in regular inspections and maintenance services to keep an eye on your roof over the years, if you haven’t kept up with your appointments, you should consider 20 years the hard cut-off for worry-free protection in our experience.

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that shingles don’t age uniformly, and your local climate can make an impact on how long they last. You can always ask your roofing contractor what they estimate the lifespan of your shingles to be if you’re unsure.


4. Damaged or Broken Flashing

The flashing, as you may know, is there to keep moisture from seeping into the joints of your roofing system, protecting your property from water damage, mold, and more. If your flashing isn’t properly in place, you’ll be well on your way to having water enter the home. The damage may not be immediately noticeable, but it’s important to reach out for help as soon as you notice issues with your flashing. Don’t let the damage to your property get out of hand! 

5. Storm Damage From Ice, Debris, and More

Unfortunately, storms are a fact of life for most of us. After any severe weather event, it’s important to check your property for damage. Your asphalt roofing system, of course, should be one of your first concerns. If there are shingles in the yard that match your roofing system or if there’s any debris on your roof, be sure to reach out for an inspection. As for hail damage, it’s important to keep in mind that the damage can be difficult to spot from the ground. Even if your roof looks to be in good shape, it pays to have an expert eye take a closer look.

As you can see, there are a lot of different signs to look out for indicating you might be overdue for a new roofing system replacement. If you’re interested in hearing about the benefits of investing in a new roof for your property, don’t hesitate to make the call! For those in Northwest Indiana or Middle Tennessee, Eenigenburg Exteriors is here to help. Our family-owned enterprise is WBE- and DBE-certified, we’re MasterElite Contractors with GAF and the only Certified Installer in NWI with LP SmartSide, so you can count on us to get the job done right.