1. Roof Age

Wear and tear on an older roof are sure signs it’s time to call for a replacement. Other factors include when the roof got its last replacement, the number of layers of shingles and how the roof ventilated.

If you didn’t build your home, and the sellers aren’t quite sure how old the roof is, a good trick is to find out if all the houses in your area are around the same age. If you’re buying in a new or old subdivision, gated community or something similar, there’s an excellent chance many of the roofs were installed around the same time. If you notice your neighbors are getting new roofs, it is probably a sign you need a new roof as well.

2. Your Attic

If you haven’t been up in the attic in a while, now’s a good time. Grab a flashlight and check under the eaves. If your normally dark attic has little rays of sunshine peeping in or if you notice water stains on the floor or the walls, you probably have a roof with holes and leaks. If you don’t have any streaks on the wall, but the insulation is wet, this is another sign you have a roof leak.

Here’s another tip. If you are up on the roof for any reason, such as to repair a shingle or flashing, and you notice the roof feels spongy or bouncy, that could be a sign of underlying moisture. When you’re back inside, go up in the attic and check for those water streaks and sunshine rays.

3. Curling or Buckling Shingles

Look at the roof slope on the side of your home that receives direct sunlight. If the shingles have curled or buckled, it can mean they have outlived their life expectancy. It can also be a sign they were defective from the get-go. A professional roof contractor will be able to tell you if this is a cause of the problem.

4. Roof Valleys

Roof valleys are a vital component of the overall roof system. These are the areas where snow and rain flow through to your rain gutters. If shingles are missing or falling apart in these areas of your roof, they can quickly lead to roof leaks.

5. Missing Shingles

You can tell just by looking at your roof if you’re missing a shingle. If you had a recent storm with a lot of wind or rain or even hail, you should do a visual inspection of your roof at the first opportunity. Missing shingles in your roof valley, as we just pointed out above, points to a potential moisture issue. If there are more than a few shingles missing, this is a sure sign your roof is getting older and needs replacement.