A roof of a home plays a big part in protecting everything, and everyone, that is valuable to the homeowner.  The roof protects all of your belongings, as well as yourself and everyone else that lives in your home or is there to visit with you.  The lifespan of a roof can last many years, often 20-30 years, depending on the building materials, the durability and integrity of the materials, and the climate of your environment.  Every roof, though, will need to be replaced at some point or another.  If you have been wondering when the right time is to replace your roofing materials, you may find our guidelines helpful.  Continue reading to learn some of our roof replacement ideas.

Typically, around 15-20 years into the lifespan of your roof, you will begin to see some wear and tear of the building materials.  If you have asphalt shingles, you may notice some of the asphalt granules begin to fall off of the shingles.  You may also notice some shingles begin to curl as they age, or perhaps some shingles have fallen off during heavy weather patterns.  Other materials, such as flashing or soffits, may become warped, loose, or rusted, too.

You may notice water leaks that have occurred, or are threatening to occur, if not repaired soon.  Perhaps you have noticed dark water spots on the ceiling of your attic or in one of the rooms of your home.  Depending on the amount of wear and tear that you notice along the surface of your roofing materials, will depend on your decision of whether or not you should repair the problematic issues, or if it is time to invest in a new roof completely.

Another thing that you should watch for is the presence of moss growth on the surface of your roof.  You may be more likely to discover moss in areas that are heavily shaded or in climates that receive a lot of moisture.  Moss can be quite problematic for the integrity of roofing materials.  Moss is a substance that holds water and moisture very well.  If moss stays on your roof for long periods of time, then you are more likely to have water problems occur, which can lead to major water damage.  Additionally, if you are in a cold climate that experiences freezing temperatures, then the wet moss can freeze, which will cause expansion of the surrounding roofing materials.  This expansion can also cause severe damage, if left unattended.

The age of your roof is also a consideration that should go into your decision to get a new roof, or not.  If your roofing materials are 20 years old, or older, then you might want to start thinking about investing in a new roof.  There are only so many repairs that a homeowner can, and should do, before deciding to use their money as an investment into a new roof.  Replacing a roof can be an expensive investment, but it is an investment that is necessary, and should hold its’ value for your home.