Q. How do I know when it’s time for new roof shingles?
A. Most shingled roofs have a maximum life span of around 20 years, after which the shingles will have deteriorated to the point that a new roof is required, whether it is an overlay or a complete tear-off and reinstallation. When inspecting your roof, look for curling corners of the shingles, which indicates that the roofing material is becoming brittle with age. Cracked shingles are another sign of aging, and so is shingle material that appears in the gutter and downspouts. As shingles age, the granular asphalt material loosens and falls off the shingle, which then exposes the shingle to the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, increasing the rate of shingle deterioration. If you find signs of these problems, then you can expect to replace the roof in the not-too-distant future.
