Day in and day out, your roofing system works hard to keep your home dry and damage-free. However, it is not immune to problems, which must be addressed promptly in order to maintain the performance of your roof and extend its service life. 

Age of Your Roof

When you discuss this problem with your local roofers, they may ask about the age of your roof. But why is this important in the first place? 

Importance of Knowing Your Roof's Age

Knowing the age of your roof allows your roofing contractor to identify the best course of action for your roof, whether it's to repair or replace it entirely. To decide what your roof requires, the professionals will need to do a thorough inspection. Still, informing them of its age provides them with a clear understanding of what to look for before making a final decision.

Knowing the age of your roof is also beneficial because it allows you to monitor its general condition. An asphalt shingle roof, for example, has a 25 to 30 year average life expectancy. If yours is approaching the end of its useful life, you'll need to make preparations for a replacement. Otherwise, routine repairs and maintenance should be handled by a local residential and commercial roofing company.

How to Determine Your Roof's Age

Unless you have designed and built your home from scratch, you will need to investigate the age of your roof. In addition to planning for its replacement, knowing the age of your roof can help you anticipate problems you may encounter and what you can do to prevent them.

With these goals in mind, there are a few ways to find out the age of your roof.

  • Ask the previous owners. You shouldn't break off all contact with the previous owners once you've closed on your home. Most homeowners are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the house's condition, including when the roof was last renovated. Such investigations can normally be made without the assistance of a lawyer. If the previous owners have lived in the house for a long time, they would most likely know when the current roof was installed.

  • Find the building permit. You can conduct some research to see if a building permit is required for roof installations in your county. If it does, you can get a copy of the permit from the county government. This will provide you the precise date when the roof was installed, and it's one of the most reliable sources of information you'll come across.

  • Request a roofing company receipt. The roofing firm that renovated the roof may be remembered by the previous owners. They may, however, have thrown away their copy of the receipt. If you know the company's name, you can contact them and obtain a copy of the receipt, or you can ask the former owners to do so. Roof installation businesses are known for keeping meticulous records of their work.

  • Get an inspection. If these options don't give you the answer you're looking for, a home inspector can assess the roof's condition and age. Professionals in this industry are highly educated. They can recognize the indicators of advanced age and provide you with a trustworthy assessment.

The 8 Signs of Roof Aging

There are eight common indicators that a roof is nearing the end of its useful life. 

  • Leaks and Water Damage 
    If you notice active water leaks or signs of water damage on your top story's ceiling or inside walls, it's a sign that the protective covering of shingles is failing.

  • Moss or Algae on the Roof 
    If you don't maintain and clean your roof properly, moss and algae might form on it. It's also a symptom that it's not doing as well as it should. It indicates that your roof is retaining moisture, and as these organisms grow and take root, they can actually separate your roof's tiles, allowing more moisture to enter. If you notice this on your roof, you should at the very least get a roofing professional to remove the moss or algae.

  • Curled or Buckled Shingles 
    Curling or buckling, which is common in asphalt shingles, will occur over time, indicating that your roof is 12 to 15 years old and has reached the end of its intended lifespan. Curling shingles can also indicate that your shingles were done incorrectly or that your attic has insufficient ventilation, causing trapped heat to harm your shingles.

  • Roof Flashing 
    Missing or corroded flashing is another sign of roof aging. Look for any lifting or separation that could lead to water entering your home. If the current flashing is made of roof cement or tar, metal fittings may need to be installed.

  • Missing Shingles
    A violent storm or falling debris can damage or remove shingles from your roof in an instant. However, as your roof ages, wear and tear is more likely to create the same impact. A missing shingle exposes your home to leaks right away, so if you detect this and your roof is old, you should let a storm damage repair expert check your attic for signs of serious leaks or water damage.

  • Granule Loss 
    The granules on your shingles are the first line of defense for your roof as they protect the tar below, which keeps ultraviolet (UV_ rays and moisture out. Your roof is exposed to the elements the moment those are weakened. Granule loss can be caused by hail, debris and normal wear and tear. While this is to be expected, significant granule loss might result in lower performance and may indicate that a new roof is needed.

  • Damaged Roof Valleys 
    Your roof's valleys are critical for water runoff to reach your gutters and drains. The integrity of these valleys deteriorates with time as shingles shift or come free. If you discover debris in your roof valleys, such as leaves and sticks, it's a sign that it's damaged and has to be repaired.

  • Daylight Through The Roof Boards 
    See if there is any sunlight coming through the roof boards by climbing up to the attic or crawlspace beneath the roof. Look for evidence of moisture damage, such as mold or mildew, on the insulation as well.

Hershey Exteriors, Inc is proud to be a GAF-certified roofing contractor, and we are able to provide you with advanced warranties for your new asphalt shingle roofing system. If you prefer the durability and character of a metal roof, we also offer metal roofing options for your home. We're here to answer all your questions and only use the highest quality materials for the job.

Count on to deliver the best in storm damage repair and restoration as well. Give us a call at (302) 569-9039, or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.