A weathered shingle no longer helps protect your home, nor is it appealing to have on your home. When asphalt shingles fade, roofing replacement becomes a certainty. Unfortunately, it is also a weak point in your roofing. Worn-out shingles flap, break, and leave behind openings for water. But how can you tell if your shingles are wearing out?
Find out how worn shingles look by paying close attention to the textures around them; see if they have dark spots or holes that would indicate problems, and look at how they bend or sag. What do old and damaged shingles look like? Here are five things you can look for.
- Cracks
- Debris and Missing Granules
- Curling Up
- Buckling or Warping
- Opacity or Dark Spots
Look for noticeable cracks in the shingles. If a shingle is particularly old, it will be more vulnerable to splitting or cracking, both of which are quite noticeable. If you find gaps in your shingles, you should immediately consider replacing them before the problems get worse and more expensive.
If you see a surprising amount of shingle granules or debris coming off your shingles, it’s time for a new roof. Shingles flake and lose their layers over time, wearing them out and creating weak spots that are no longer weather-resistant.
If you look at the bottom edge of your shingle and see it curling up even slightly, this means that there has been weather damage on your roof. The curling is typically caused by water damage or moisture getting trapped in the edges of your shingles as they were installed or expanded. The moisture causes the edges to curl as it evaporates over time, leaving a weak and difficult-to-repair shingle. This type of damage can also be caused by high winds, which can lift shingles over time.
Shingles can begin to change their shape over time, which is caused by wind, moisture, and heavy exposure to sunlight. Look at the shape of your roofing shingles; do they look warped or like they are buckling in any way? If they are no longer lying flat on your roof, they will need to be replaced.
As shingles age, they go through a natural oxidation process over time, giving them a dull and dark look from exposure to UV light. If you see that your shingles have turned dark or have an unusual number of spots on them, it’s also time for a replacement. Worn-out shingles also tend to be weak and flimsy, so pay attention to how stiff the shingle is compared to the others on your roof. It could be time for a replacement too.
Look for color changes in asphalt shingles. Lighter shingles tend to point to wear from UV light. Darker shingles are caused by mold and mildew growth. Both are a sign that it’s time for a roofing replacement.
Roofing Replacement on Your Home
There are many signs of a worn-out shingle. If your shingles have been around for more than 15 years, it’s time to replace them, primarily if more than one of these issues is affecting them. Paying attention to how they look and feel on your roof will be worth your while. Doing so will give you an idea of the future and when it is the right time for a new roof. Residential roofing services can help replace your worn-out shingles.
Need an estimate on a new roof? Get in touch with Schmidt Roofing today!
