Are you unsure if your home needs a new roof, but you have your suspicions that it is time? If so, you'll definitely want to know the signs that mean your home's current roof should be replaced. 

Age

You should start by determining the age of your home's roof because every roofing material has an estimated life expectancy that it may be approaching. For example, the life span of asphalt shingles is estimated to be between 15 and 30 years.

Chances are that you have not been living in your home for 30 years, so how can you tell when the roof was last replaced? A roofing contractor can give you an estimate by inspecting the roof since they'll look for signs of wear and tear that can indicate its age. One thing that you can do is look up the historical satellite view of your home and look for changes in the roof's color or texture. This can be a great way to pinpoint the year that the roof was replaced.

Sagging

A roof that is structurally sound is going to have a flat surface that allows the water to roll downward. Be concerned if you see any indications that your roof is sagging or uneven. This is a warning sign that your roof has some sort of structural damage, and you'll need to replace the roof to get down to the roof deck and see what is going on. It would be a bad idea to get a layover roof in this situation and put another layer of shingles on top of it.

Missing Granules

Asphalt shingles have a layer of granules that are designed to protect your home from the sun's ultraviolet rays. It also gives the roof its appearance with color and texture, as well as provides a home with fire resistance. Unfortunately, these granules can come off the surface of the shingles over time as the roof gets older. Look for these loose granules in the gutter, where they are likely to collect after rolling down the roof. You may also have granules that have collected near the end of downspouts. 

If you notice that there are a lot of loose granules, then it may be time to bring in a roofing contractor to inspect the materials for you. They can let you know if the shingles need to be replaced, or if you still will get a few more years out of them.

Contact a local roofing service, such as STX Roofing, to learn more.