Every year, you make an appointment with your doctor’s office to have a physical. Every year, you drive your car to the mechanic so they can perform an inspection. And every year, you examine your roof to see if it needs to be replaced. At least, we’re hoping you do those things. Car inspections are required by law and annual physicals are just sound medical advice. And as a Phoenix, AZ roofing company, we know all too well the problems that result from homeowners ignoring the roofs.

With that in mind, we’ve created this list of signs that it’s time to have a new roof installed.

1 – Review your records

Start by examining your home improvement records to find out the last time the roof was replaced or reshingled. If you know when the roof was put in and what materials were used, you’ll have a better idea of how much time it has left. Different materials have different shelf lives. Shingled roofs can last 20-25 years, while tiled roofs can offer coverage for decades.

2 – Inspect your roof…from the inside

Rather than going outside, climbing a ladder, and getting up on your roof to give it a visual inspection, start your process indoors. Head to the attic and search for stains on the walls or beams of lights seeping through the ceiling, both of which can indicate a leaky roof.

However, if you do see leaks, or notice some loose shingles when you climb up to check out the roof, don’t panic. These may be issues that can be fixed with a few simple repairs rather than a complete roof replacement.

3 – Shingles and flashing

Check your shingles, particularly if you’ve just come through a period of heavy rain. Your shingles should lay flat against the roof. Shingles that have cracked, buckled or otherwise, sustained damage needs to be repaired.

Look inside your downspouts of rain gutters for shingle granules. If you’re seeing a lot of them, it’s a sign your roof may be reaching the end of its life.

While you’re on the roof, check the flashing around the chimneys, vents, and skylights to look for cracks, which can cause leaks. If you have older flashing made from tar or cement, you might want to switch to a newer metal version.

4 – Is anything growing on your roof?

Have you spotted moss growing on your roof? That’s not a good sign. The presence of moss — or mold and mildew for that matter — can signal that moisture has seeped into your roof. You can clear moss away with a brush, but you might be papering over a larger underlying problem.

Trapped moisture can lead to rot, which will make itself known when your roof starts to droop or sag. This is something that needs to be remedied immediately before it causes further damage to the rest of the house.

Phoenix AZ Roofing Company

Has your roof gone past the point of needing repairs? Turn to R4 Roofing, a Phoenix, AZ roofing company that’s as adept at installing new roofs as it is at repairing them.

From tile to asphalt to metal to foam, no matter the materials involved in your new roof, our team keeps on top of the newest industry innovations and trends and uses that knowledge to ensure your safety and satisfaction.

Contact us today to learn more or to get a free quote about Phoenix AZ Roofing Repair.