As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to make sure that the home is habitable. If the home isn’t, you can even find yourself getting dragged to court. As you consider this, you might be wondering when should you replace the roof on your home and rental property? You'll need to routinely check for the following warning signs of a failing roof.

Signs You Need To Replace The Roof Of Your Rental Property

1. Roof age

   The average life of a roof is around 20 years. That is if it’s laid down correctly and with the right support. However, trees, leaves, and debris can shorten the life of your roof.

   Improper design, exposure to sunlight, inadequate ventilation, and a lack of prompt maintenance can also accelerate your roof’s aging process. That’s why it pays to have it regularly checked by a professional.

2. Chimney flashing

   

   Chimney flashing is the best defense against extreme weather conditions. The flashing helps seal the space between your chimney and your roof. It’s applied around the base of a chimney in several parts – saddle flashing at the top, step flashing up the sides, and continuous flashing along the bottom. Over time, the chimney flashing may open up creating gaps for water to find its way into your home. A leaking chimney can go undetected for a long time, quietly causing rot and mold in your basement, attic, or roof deck.




3. Spongy feel

   Does your roof feel spongy when you walk over it? If so, it’s possible that your decking is full of moisture. This is a telltale sign that the roof on your home or rental property needs replacing.

4. Growth on the roof

   

   Moss and lichens are more than a cosmetic issue on many kinds of roofing materials – wood shake roofs, wood shingle roofs, roll roofing, asphalt shingles. In areas where the roofing materials are wood shingles instead of asphalt shingles, these growths can drastically reduce the life of the roof covering. This is because moss or lichens hold moisture on the roof longer than other areas, speeding up the wear on these shingles. Raking and brushing off the growths won’t prevent future moss growth. And, you risk damaging the roof if the cleaning isn’t done with care. Therefore, if you notice these growths, it’s best to hire professional services.




5. Buckled or curled shingles

   Roof shingles are one of the most common roofing materials used on residential homes throughout the U.S. When high-quality asphalt roof shingles are correctly installed and well maintained, these can last for decades. Roof shingles can get damaged by heavy winds or knocked around during hail storms. If your roof shingles are falling apart or missing, it’s a definite sign you need a new roof. Curled or buckled shingles can cause water to puddle on your roof. This can cause water damage.

6. Missing shingles

   When you look up at your roof, do you notice that some shingles are missing or falling off your roof? If so, have the problem inspected. These could be an indication of deeper problems plaguing your structure. If a few shingles are missing, replace them as soon as possible. However, if the problem is widespread, it’s a clear sign of a roof problem. These may open your home or rental property to a myriad of problems. These may cause wood to rot, heavy dampness, create a mold, and damage your home’s insulation.

7. Problematic valleys

   Roof valleys are troughs that discard runoff water where two sloping sections of a roof meet. Over time, the valleys can deteriorate. Because of its shape and location, roof valleys tend to collect a lot of dirt, leaves, and other debris. Older homes particularly experience roof valley damage. If you notice you have problematic valleys, have them inspected by a roofing expert. Left unaddressed, your home could start experiencing water leaks.

8. Granules in the gutter

   Have you noticed shingle granules on your gutters? If so, it’s a sign that you need to replace your roof. Old roofs are particularly prone to this problem. Granules help keep the sun off the asphalt. When these start to fall off, your roofing quality will quickly deteriorate.

9. Sunlight in the attic

   

   A well-enclosed attic means that your roof is strong and is performing as it should. Sometimes, it’s normal to see light around roof penetrations even if these are flashed properly. But, if you see lots of light, your roof could be susceptible to water and snow infiltration.

Hopefully, these 9 warning signs will give you an idea of when you should replace the roof on your home and rental property. If you have more questions, please seek the help of a roofing expert.