by Mubanga Sampa 
Every now and then homeowners realize the need to repair and fix the basic interior and exterior parts of the house and unarguably, the roof is among the most essential items on this list. A good roof makes a good house but an old or damaged roof can only result in discomforts and extended damage to the house. As a homeowner, you should constantly evaluate the state of your roof based on the type of roofing material used but due to limited knowledge, many fail to know when is the right time to make the necessary changes. This article will highlight the factors to consider in order to determine the need to change the roof.
Curling Shingles
If you are looking for a sign to make some roofing changes, the shingles are a good place to start. The status of the shingles can be a good indicator that you need a new roof or just a quick fix. Shingles in a good condition tend to be straight and intact but once they start curling and missing at a large quantity then this might be a sign that it is time to make some changes. Shingles tend to curl by either cupping or crawling whereby the former occurs on the edges whilst the latter tends to result in a swell in the middle leaving the edges straight. Either way, a homeowner needs to take this as a warning of new or ongoing damages from leakage, aging, or a fault during the roof installation process.
Broken and Missing Shingles
Over time, shingles can go missing or broken and this should come as another sign that it is time to make some changes. One broken or missing tile or shingle can simply be replaced but once a larger part of your roof has damaged or missing shingles then you might want to consider a complete roof change. Shingles weather and in turn change in color, therefore, a constant replacement will eventually result in a patched roof due to the difference in color between the old and new shingles. When a larger part of the roof gets replaced it leads to an unpleasant appeal due to color inconsistencies hence one should consider getting a new roof.
Leakage
Roof leakage is a common structural problem for many houses and the damage that comes with it can go a longer way than how most homeowners think. Roof leakages start small and are therefore easy to ignore but over time they result in bigger structural damages that can be very expensive to fix. A leaking roof is a sign of a faulty roofing system, rot or blockages on the gutter that needs to be attended immediately otherwise its impact on the house will only increase with time. A good roofing system allows water to flow fluently throughout the roof down to the gutter but once this is not the case then it might be a good time to consult a professional for a thorough inspection of the roof. Once the problem persists or seems unable to fix then one should consider a complete replacement of the roof.
Age
Like other parts of the house, roofs depreciate with time. Depending on the roofing material, the aging interval can differ from one house to another although time still remains as the most evident factor that leads to roof replacement. An old roof can result in many other complications that can be fixed temporarily but with time and increasing damages, one might be forced to make a complete replacement. Most roofs last for a span ranging between 20 to 30 years although in some cases, a roof with good material can last up to 50 years. A good roof ages without showing any signs of damage or faults but it is important to remember that roof replacements are essential prior to the time where damages start revealing themselves.
Another indicator that with age your roof needs a replacement is the neighborhood change. For people living in developed neighborhoods, it is easy to identify once people start replacing their old roofs with new ones and this can highlight the need for a roof replacement. It should be noted that once your roof has reached its age limit, it can last five to ten extra years depending on the current damages which is enough time to make the necessary changes before it falls shot.
Holes and Exposed Nails
One good thing about roofs is that the damage reveals itself evidently. Just like leakages, holes, and exposed nails tend to make quite an appearance on old or damaged roofs. Once you start noticing light penetrating from outside the house take it as a sign of an existing hole or holes on the roof which in the future might be a water leakage pathway. On the other hand, the need to replace a roof can be exhibited by the number of nails exposed. Nails are meant to put the roof intact in place but once they start elevating above the roof, they can easily be rusted and cause leakage. Having that said, these are strong indicators that your roof needs to be replaced immediately.
