5 Signs Your Home Needs a New Roof

Your home’s roof serves as one of the first lines of defense against damaging natural forces. An outdated, damaged, and worn-down roof isn't able to properly protect your home from leaks and water damage. As a homeowner, several signs indicate your roof requires replacement that you should watch out for.

As soon as you notice any of these signs, contact a reputable roofing contractor for a quick repair, like our team at Platinum Restoration.

1. Sagging Ceiling

Your ceiling should always appear sturdy and secure. If you notice your ceiling sagging, you should act immediately. A sagging ceiling could result from a roof leak or severe water damage.

If left untreated for too long, the ceiling could collapse and cause extensive damage to your entire home.

2. Past Its Life Expectancy

Asphalt shingles typically have a life expectancy of 20 years. If you can’t remember the last time you’ve had your shingles replaced or if you know it's been over 20 years, you should plan to schedule a replacement as soon as possible.

If you leave an old roof on your home for too long, you could start to experience leaks and water damage.

3. Missing or Damaged Shingles

Severe wind and hail storms can take off a shingle or two from time to time. However, if you continuously notice shingles falling off your roof or appearing to rot or decay, you’re likely due for a roof replacement.

When inspecting your roof, you should also keep an eye out for cracked or curled shingles, as these could also result from an outdated roof.

Missing and damaged shingles often come from two types of storm damage: hail and wind. Learn more about identifying these kinds of damage below.

Hail Damage

If you’re wondering what the signs of hail damage are, here’s what you should look for:

Dents or splits in wooden shingles.
Punctures or tears in asphalt roofs.
Holes in layers of various roofing materials.

Generally, the way the hail damage looks will vary depending on the kind of roof the building has, but the more extensive the damage, the more likely you need a new roof.

Learn more about signs of hail damage here.

Wind Damage

Wind damage can happen during all kinds of storms, including summer thunderstorms and winter blizzards. High winds can cause various types of damage to your roof, so some of the signs of wind damage to look out for include:

Broken or cracked gutters and downspouts.
Peeling shingles and other roofing materials.
Missing roofing elements.

Find out more about identifying signs of wind damage.

4. Noticeable Light Coming Through the Attic

If you have an attic, you might want to take some time to get into it and inspect the roof boards. A sturdy roof in good condition won’t show any sunlight through the roof boards.

If your roof is deteriorated and is due for a replacement, you will notice daylight shining through your roof and into the attic.

5. There’s Grit in the Gutters

While this sign mostly applies to asphalt shingle roofs, this is a popular roofing type for many homeowners in Minnesota. If you notice that the grit and granules from the surface of your asphalt roof are loose and winding up in your gutters, it’s a sign that the asphalt shingles are deteriorating and nearing the end of their lifespan.

How Often Should You Replace Your Roof?

One question many homeowners ask is how often they actually need to replace their roof. Overall, the answer varies based on a few factors, such as:

The kind of roofing material used.
How well the roof was installed.
How much damage the roof has sustained over time.
If the roof was well-maintained.

Some roofing systems tend to last up to 50 years, while others have an average lifespan of 20 years. The best way to know for sure if our roof needs to be replaced is to request a roofing inspection from the pros.

When Should You File a Roof Storm Damage Claim?

While some roofing damage happens over time and isn’t the direct result of major storm damage, you may wonder when you need to file a report for storm damage to your homeowner's insurance.

Generally, it's better to act quickly and start with the process if you think your insurance may reimburse you. Make sure that you document the damage as thoroughly as possible and contact your insurance provider to learn more about your policy.

Most of the time, the insurance company will send someone out to assess your roof. Still, it doesn’t hurt to hire a company you trust to do an inspection, too.

Request a Roofing Inspection Today

Do you think your roof is due for a replacement? Don’t worry, Platinum Restoration has your back! As GAF Master Elite Certified contractors, we’re able to provide you with top-tier roof replacement solutions.

We’ll supply you with a dedicated representative who will guide you through any insurance claims you may need assistance with. Your representative will also conduct a thorough and educated analysis of your roof to determine the best course of action.

Get started on your roof replacement today and contact Platinum Restoration at 763-244-1474.

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