Because you don’t see your roof as often as you see other parts of your home, you may not know when it’s time to replace one of the most vital structures on your property. Getting a new roof before your current one gives out could help save you a lot of time and money. Here are common signs it’s time to invest in a new roof.

Signs of a Leaky Roof in the Attic

Rather than think you must climb on top of your roof to inspect its current state, you can instead climb into your attic to check for streaks, stains and shafts of light, which may indicate you have a leaking roof.

Your Roof Is Nearing Its Life Expectancy

If you keep home improvement records, check them to determine the roof material you have and when you last replaced or reshingled your roof. Usually, an asphalt roof lasts 20 or 25 years, and roofs built on top of existing shingles last as long as 20 years. If you have a roof reaching the 20-year mark, consider contacting a company that specializes in residential and commercial roofing St Louis to see if it’s time to save up for a replacement.

Damaged Shingles

If you don’t mind climbing up on your roof, check the condition of your shingles. They should rest flat against your roof, and you shouldn’t have any bald spots. If you notice you have cracked, missing or otherwise damaged shingles, schedule repairs from a trusted and experienced roofing company.

While up on the roof, check your downspouts and gutters for flecks of shingles. If you notice a lot of granules, it could mean your roof no longer protects your home.

Roof Rot

Something else to inspect while up on your roof is signs of rotting, such as sagging and drooping. If you notice these signs, replace your roof sooner rather than later to avoid further damage. Additional signs of a decomposing roof include rotting boards, trapped moisture and sagging.

Broken Flashing

Flashing over your chimney, vents and skylights seals the roof and keeps rain from infiltrating your property. Broken flashing may make your roof vulnerable to leaking. If you currently have an older home with tar or cement flashing, think about upgrading to metal flashing for sturdier flashing performance.

Proactive is the name of the game when taking care of your roof. Rather than wait until your roof fails completely, recognize when you should invest in a replacement to get ahead of disaster.