The average lifetime for an asphalt shingle roof is about 20 years, give or take. Luckily, most people only live in their homes for over a decade or so.
Twenty years is a long way off from a century and longer still from forever. There may come a time when your asphalt roof needs replacing.
But how can you tell when your roof is about to bite the big one? What are the signs that your roof shingles need replacing?
There will be clues that you need to get a new asphalt roof; the problem is knowing what those clues are. If you keep reading, though, you can learn how to identify the signs that the time has come for you to get a new asphalt shingle roof.
If your Minnesota or Wisconsin asphalt shingle roof needs replacing, or you want an honest, professional opinion, contact Revive Restoration. Revive Restoration’s asphalt shingle roofs have a warranty of 50 years and are expected to last that long without storm damage.
If your current asphalt shingle roof wasn’t installed by Revive Restoration, it might be time for a replacement.
There are seven tells that your roof shingles are wearing out. Whenever you see any of these signs, it’s probably a good idea to think about repairing or replacing your roof.
7 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
1. Storm Damage
A tree falling on top of your asphalt roof may be an immediate cause for replacement. Falling trees may occur after a powerful storm or if the tree is old or sick.
A powerful storm may rip shingles away from your roof, but a lot of storm damage cannot be seen from the ground.
Some fasteners may get pulled over, or the mastic strips may break. Because this type of damage cannot be seen from the ground, it is imperative to have professionals perform a roof inspection after a large storm.
Hail damage is a similar situation. Although the shingles may appear fine from the ground, the damage may still be there. If left undiagnosed, hail damage will cause leaks several years down the road that could be prevented with professional shingle mat inspection.
It’s probably not a good idea to take on a roofing project immediately after a storm on your own. While you can remove debris and do repair work, you could cause more damage without the proper know-how.
2. Curling Shingles
Curled asphalt shingles are a sign that your roof may have aged beyond its expiration date. Shingle curling happens when they dry out and shrink throughout the roof’s lifetime.
During windy weather, your shingles may start peeling off and blowing away from your home. The only fix for curled shingles is to have them replaced.
If the issue has affected enough of your shingles, you may need to replace your entire roof.
3. Missing Shingles
Missing asphalt shingles are a bad sign. After all, if your shingles aren’t on your house, they’re not helping your roof.
Odds are, if you’re missing shingles, they’ve curled and blown off. Although, it’s also possible that some other form of damage may have dislodged them.
However, anything that can knock shingles off your roof is cause for concern. It would help if you had your shingles inspected immediately.
4. Roof Age
“Age,” in this case, depends on the kind of asphalt roof shingles you’ve got. There are three types of asphalt shingles homeowners can choose from:
- 3-tab shingles – the cheapest and lightest type of roofing shingle
- Laminate shingles – heavy and more expensive
- Luxury shingles – the most costly and stylistically varied
Three-tab shingles get their name from their means of installation — by the three tabs on each strip. They lay flat against roofs and cost as low as $0.90 every square foot.
Three-tab shingles are prone to blowing away in the wind due to their lightweight. In general, you can expect 3-tab shingles to last around 15 to 20 years.
Laminate or architectural or dimensional shingles are the most commonly installed type of shingle. Manufactures make architectural shingles with two layers inside to give the illusion of a thick, tiered construction on rooftops.
Dimensional shingles are heavy, but this weight makes them more durable. They can last 20 to 30 years and cost $3 to $5 per square foot.
Luxury or premium shingles are the most expensive, and you can purchase various shingle colors to give your home extra curb appeal. Luxury shingles are also the most durable of the three.
Premium asphalt shingles can imitate other roofing materials like wood shake or slate and protect the home from high winds and hail. A luxury shingle roof can last anywhere from 25 to 40 years.
There are other roofing materials you can choose from. The lifespans for different types of roofs vary widely:
- Wood shakes and shingle roofing – lasts about 30 years
- Metal roofing – copper lasts a century, and steel lasts 50 years
- Clay roofing – lasts 40 to 60 years
The reason you just read all that is to demonstrate how long each kind of asphalt shingle roof can last before you need to consider a replacement.
In general, though, you should have a roofing contractor inspect your roof if it’s 20 years or older. If you see any visible damage like curling, expect that you may need repairs.
5. Granule Loss
From ground level, shedding granules will give the impression that your roof has “bald patches.” Depending on the shingle color, these patches will appear darker or lighter than other spots on your roof.
Your gutters will likely be full of fallen granules. Granule shedding doesn’t make your roof any less waterproof.
The problem with missing granules is that the sun will eventually damage the exposed asphalt underneath. After enough time, the shingles will start quickly wearing out.
6. A Lot of Moss
Having a little patch of moss or algae on one spot of your asphalt roof isn’t that big a deal. All you need to do is clean the shingles, and you’re fine. Removing moss isn’t too strenuous a roofing project to tackle alone.
Runaway growth all over your roof, on the other hand, means there’s a problem. Namely, the moss has been there too long.
The longer the moss sits on top of your house, the more it damages your roof. The flora can grow under and lift shingles away from your roof.
Drainage becomes next to impossible, and water will accumulate and damage the top of your home. Eventually, there’s structural weakening, and leaks will start happening.
7. Premature Failure
Manufacturer specifications are the benchmark all goods should live by. If your asphalt shingles fail before their average expectancy of 20 years, you need a roof replacement.
There are two likely causes for premature roofing failure:
- The attic isn’t well ventilated
- Your contractor improperly installed the shingles
In the case of poor ventilation, hot and cold air become trapped in the attic. In the summer, improper ventilation will burn your roof from the inside out.
Cracking or curling shingles may mean you have ventilation damage from the summer heat. Wavy rooftops probably indicate poor winter airflow.
Improper ventilation also adversely affects metal roofing. When heat becomes trapped under the metal, it is harder to cool your home during the warmer months.
Poor ventilation is terrible for your roof system. Contact a roofing contractor if you see signs of either.
Ruined Asphalt Shingle Roofing Got You Down?
It’s crucial you know the signs your asphalt shingle roof needs replacing. Be on the lookout for curling or cracked shingles and large patches of moss.
Wavy shingles and shedding granules are also good indicators you need a roof replacement.
The Revive Restoration team offers services from roofing repair to siding inspection and replacement. Call today to request a free quote or if you have any roofing questions.
