Roofs that are between 15 and 20 years old are generally considered to be older, and oftentimes, when roofs reach this age, they can start to show signs of wear and tear. While some of these signs may not give immediate cause for concern, many can lead to bigger, costlier problems as time goes by, and are worth addressing early on.
If your roof is reaching its twilight years, here are 5 signs of wear and tear to keep an eye out for:
- Issues with the shingles
Helping to keep the structural components of a roof protected from the elements, shingles can easily become damaged or slip off, exposing the roof to the risks of water damage.
Old and worn shingles can cause any of the following problems:
- If they start absorbing moisture, they can become rotten or prone to a build-up of mold and algae
- Prolonged, strong winds can weaken shingles until they blow off the roof
- Once they start to lose granules, shingles are not able to give your roof (and ultimately, the building below it) the protection it needs
2. Reduced protection against the weather
An old or damaged roof can easily be affected by the weather:
- a loss of shingles can lead to a reduced ability to protect against the elements
- if the structure of a roof becomes weakened over time, it could collapse in the event of extreme weather conditions
- any rainfall on a damaged or old roof can lead to leaks, which can be costly and inconvenient to repair
3. Potential fire hazards
While you might not immediately see the risk of fire hazards presented by a leak, this is how they can lead to them:
- If water gets into a building through the roof, it can cause damage to wiring and electrical outlets, and ultimately, present a risk of fire
- In a similar vein, wiring that gets wet can easily short circuit and cause sparks to fly, which in turn, can cause a fire to break out.
4. Pest infestations
When a roof ages it can become brittle, and when this happens, pests such as rodents and cockroaches will find it easier to enter your home through any weakened or damaged parts of the roof. Unfortunately, once pests have made your home their home, they can be troublesome to eliminate, and go on to cause all manner of problems, particularly ones related to health.
5. An increase in energy bills
A roof that has been installed properly and well maintained over the years, can still keep a building insulated; cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter. However, the minute a roof starts to deteriorate or develop any kind of age-related problem, the chances of it having an impact on your heating and cooling bills, increases significantly.
Damaged or missing shingles can expose your roofs insulation to the elements, and excess water will mean that it’s unable to perform its role of insulating your home, effectively. Then, as your HVAC system is forced to work harder to control the temperature inside the building, you’ll likely notice your energy bills going up.
Having your roof checked over by a roofing professional once it begins to age, can help you avoid costly repairs further down the line. For example, if your roof has exceeded its expected lifespan (an average of 20 years), the manufacturer’s warranty may well have expired and any ensuing repairs will have to be paid for out of your own pocket. Additionally, if your old roof or one with an expired warranty, has suffered damage that wasn’t your fault, you may find that your insurer is unwilling to pay out.