There’s nothing worse than learning that you have to replace your entire roof. However, if this is the case, it’s important to do so – your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, and a roof that’s in bad shape not only offers poor protection, it can end up becoming a danger to your home and to your family.
However, in some cases you can just replace the shingles on your roof and not the entire roof itself. This is, of course, a much more preferable action as it will take less time and cost much less to replace shingles than it will cost to replace the whole roof. So how exactly can you tell whether you can get by with just replacing your shingles or whether you need to replace the entire roof?
When You Can Just Replace the Shingles
The following are a few examples of when simply replacing damaged shingles is enough to ensure that your roof does its job and remains in good condition:
- The shingles are cracked or torn – Shingles that are cracked can be replaced individually. However, if the crack or tear is minor, you may not even have to do that – you could simply have the shingle repaired with the use of roofing sealant.
- The shingles are missing pieces – If a piece of a shingle is missing, then the entire shingle will need to be replaced. This can happen if a piece of debris has been blown into your roof, thereby causing a piece of shingle to break off.
- There are missing shingles – Missing shingles will need to be replaced right away. If a shingle is missing, your roof becomes vulnerable to the elements – especially wind and rain. Wind will be able to get under surrounding shingles and cause further damage, while rain may be able to leak into the area where the shingle is missing.
When The Entire Roof Must Be Replaced
The following are a few examples of when replacing individual shingles simply won’t be enough and you’ll need to replace your whole roof:
- Your roof is old – If the shingles on your roof are between 20 and 25 years old, then they are nearing the end of their life cycle and you may want to consider replacing the whole roof instead of constantly replacing single shingles and making repairs.
- The shingles are curling – Curling shingles are often a sign that they are past their life expectancy. When shingles curl, they also leave your roof more exposed to leaks and wind damage.
- The shingles are losing their granules – The granules on the shingles help to keep UV rays from penetrating the asphalt coating. Once shingles begin to lose their granules, it’s a sign that the roof needs to be replaced.
These are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to replacing individual shingles or the entire roof. Schedule a roof inspection to determine the best course of action by contacting us at Park Heights Roofing today.