by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: July 17, 2010   Last Updated: July 18, 2010

A good quality asphalt roof should last for eighteen to twenty five years under normal environmental conditions. There are many ways to determine if you should replace your roof before you call an estimator. Having a roof inspection done is one way but many times you may be told that you need a new roof when you really do not. Check some of these tips before you make your final decision.

Roof leaking?

If your roof is currently leaking it may need replacement or simple repair. If you only have one or two damaged shingles and the rest are in good shape you should be a candidate for a roof repair. If you have attic access check to see how much leakage you have but remember that not all leaks are visible this way. Many times water will leak through your roof and run down between walls before it is finally visible as a leak.

Signs of damage:

Moldy shingles and ones that are curling are a good sign that you have roofing damage. If this damage is only in a small section you may be able to get away with replacing only the damaged area. Unfortunately when this type of damage shows up the entire roof is probably a good candidate for replacement.

Another way to check for shingle wear is checking the gutters or downspouts for sandy material. Larges amount of sand means that your shingles will soon be failing. This may be more noticeable after a heavy rain or hail storm.

Age of roof:

Twenty year shingles are expected to last approximately fifteen years. Twenty five year shingles have an expectancy of twenty years and thirty year shingles should be good for twenty five years under optimal conditions. For other types of roofing like slate or wood shingles you should check with the manufacturer for the estimated life of the shingle.

The type of shingles is not the only factor in the life expectancy of your roof. The installation plays a big role in determining how long the roof will last. The slope of the roof is a factor and so is roof ventilation. Poor ventilation and excess heat build up will cause your roof to wear out more quickly. Lighter color shingles absorb less heat than dark shingles and this can also impact the life expectancy.

If you decide you do need to replace your roof you will need to determine if you need to do a complete tear off or if you can add another layer. Most styles of roofs can support two layers of shingles. If you have had a leakage problem you may be better off with a complete tear off even if you only have one layer of shingles. If the underlying roofing paper or wood has been damaged just adding a new layer of shingles will not solve your problem in the long term.

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