Winter is on its way which means kids are back in school and the cold weather is back to plague your home.

If your house’s roof is in good condition, you’ll be able to brave the below freezing temperatures in Annapolis and other nearby cities this year.

On the flip side, when your roof needs replacing, the next few months can get extremely uncomfortable for you and your family. If you’re unsure of whether your roof could use attention before winter, we’ve compiled critical signs that will help you determined if you need a new roof.

Current Roof Age

The age of your roof is among the most common and reliable signs you need a new roof. This is because no roof lasts for ever. Every type of roofing material comes with different manufacturer recommendations on when they should be replaced. On average, you will need a new roof every 15-20 years. Most new construction homes in the Annapolis area come with builder grade shingles that last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

If your roof is older than 20 years, this is potentially a sign you need a new roof. A roofer is the best person to accurately assess the condition of your roof and give you their recommendation. At Landmark roofing, we give you a free quote for your roof repair and replace the roof in one day.

Missing Shingles

When you look at your roof from your driveway, are you noticing shingles missing? If so, it means that your roof is deteriorating. This is one of the signs you need a new roof and you should call a roofer for an inspection.

Missing shingles are likely a typical sign of broader issues going on with your roofing. Those issues can damage your home’s insulation which could mean discomfort and skyrocketing heating bills come winter.

Granules in Your Gutters

Roof shingles are covered with granules. These granules are a protective layer to your shingles and are important to the health of your roof. Those granules being intact is important to your shingle’s ability to perform adequately.

As your roof starts to age, granules will begin to fall off. When there is heavy rain, hail, snow, or wind this can create loose granules and cause them to fill your gutter. When you start finding granules in your gutter, this is one key signs you need a new roof.

A great way to tell if your roof needs replacing is to check your gutters and see if you’re finding large granule deposits in them. Granules coming off of your shingles in excess and working their way into your gutters is typically a sign that your shingles need replacing.

You should never get on your roof and inspect it yourself because it is dangerous and there are other ways to check the issue. You can simply walk your yard and look at where your gutters are and see if there are excessive piles of granules around. If you are noticing an excess amount of granule buildup, contact an inspection today.

Spongy/Bouncy Feeling on Your Roof

If you’re able to safely access your roof and walk on it, see if you notice a spongy feeling or bounce as you move across it. That feeling is a sign that the decking underneath your feet is weak. This is also signs you need a new roof.

The decking sits on top of your rafters, and your rafters are what holds the roof up. The shingles are then attached to your decking. Roofs that were built in the before the 1990s typically have weaker decking systems. A week decking system is what causes the bounce in your shingles. The only way to fix this issue is replacing the entire roof.

Sponginess in your roofing could also mean that holes have formed. The holes cause moisture and water to leak into your attic. Go into your attic and look at the underside of the roof decking for discoloring or darkness. Also, check your insulation for any sign of mold or mildew. If you see moldy insulation or signs of moisture, contact a roofer as soon as possible.

Check Your Roof Valley

Your roof’s valley is fundamental to the health of your home. If you’re noticing a lot of missing shingles in your valley or excessive give, it’s definitely one of the signs you need a new roof.

When water and snow can’t safely pass through your roof’s valley due to damage, you could open yourself up to bigger problems than just needing to get your roof replaced. This can cause your roof to cave in or start leaking which can all be avoided.

These problems could end up putting your family in danger or end up costing more to fix the problem. Avoid these dangerous situations by contacting your local Annapolis roofer.

Wrapping Up

Winter is right around the corner and with the harsh weather comes to a renewed need to make sure your roof is in good shape. After reading this article, you can determine if your household could benefit from having a professional look over your home.

Landmark Roofing has been servicing the Annapolis area for years. We boast the best reviews online among roofers in the area and are ready to give you the advice and roofing service you need.