How to Know When You Need a New Roof

July 16, 2021 Madeleine Dorst

When our home inspectors perform an inspection, oftentimes, they find issues that need specialized attention. Since home inspectors are generalists, we recommend other businesses to the client that can hire to do further work. We have carefully created partnerships with other local businesses that share our same values: professionalism, knowledge, integrity, and going above and beyond for the customer.

One of our favorite local businesses and preferred vendors for our Tulsa-area operations is Blacksmith Roofing. Blacksmith has created a great video about 5 ways to tell if you need to replace your roof, which we’re going to further examine here.

5 Signs You Need To Replace Your Roof

Age
The video points out that states with extreme weather will often limit insurance coverage for roofs of a certain age, often around 20-25 years old. Roofs that are this old should be looked at by a roofing professional to make sure the roof is still in good condition. Weather can often batter the roof in ways that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.
Shingles
Cracked, broken, missing, or curling shingles can be a sign that your roof needs to be looked at and parts of it may need to be replaced. This can usually be spotted with a visual inspection, either by the homeowner or an inspector.
Flashing
Flashing is the metal material on a roof at the intersections of a vertical and horizontal plane (such as around the chimney). The flashing directs water down the roof for a proper run-off. It prevents water damage and acts as a seal to protect your roof and home. If there are issues with your flashing, it’s time for a professional to take a look.
Moss and algae
Moss and algae can trap moisture and damage the roof, even leaking inside your home and creating mold infestation, water stains, and allergies and other health issues. Catching this growth early on can prevent serious problems in the future.
Rot or Sagging
Like moss and algae, rot and sags may look simply like a cosmetic issue at first but can lead to serious problems. Moisture, rot, and debris (like tree limbs) on the roof can create sagging, which may one day collapse and cause other structural issues. Keeping an eye out for these issues can be the difference between calling a professional and getting things fixed early on, or a major headache later down the road.