It can lead to disaster if you don’t realise you need to replace your roof. Roofs can collapse, damaging your home and risking danger to your family. Knowing the warning signs is a great way to avoid this fate (and can potentially save you money along the way). 

1. Your Roof is Waterlogged

There are a few signs that your roof is waterlogged. If you’re noticing any of these signs, you must get your roof inspected or replaced immediately. 

Shingles are the overlapping structures on top of your roof. They can be made from a variety of materials, but in South Africa, they are usually tiles. 

Waterlogged shingles lead to rot in the wooden support structure of the roof. This compromises the structural integrity of the roof, which means it could collapse. There are two ways to know your roof is waterlogged. 

Moss or Plant Life

Plants need a constant supply of water to grow. So if you’re noticing plants or moss growing in between the shingles on your roof, it means water is trapped between them. 

Swollen Wood

If you notice the support beams of your roof start swelling or warping, it means they’re waterlogged. If you’ve got wooden shingles, this applies to those too. 

2. Leaks or Water Stains

A leak here and there isn’t something you should be too worried about. But when you’re noticing leaks every time there’s a bit of rain, it means the waterproofing of your roof is no longer sufficient. 

Water stains are also a sign of leaking. You might not notice any drips coming through, but if your ceiling is developing water stains, it means the leaks are still inside the roof. 

3. Age of Your Roof

Most roofs have a lifespan of between 20 and 70 years. But this changes depending on the material you used and how well it’s been looked after. If your roof is older than 20 years, regular inspections are a good idea. 

This way, you won’t be caught off guard when something gets old and needs to be replaced.

4. Parts of the Roof Are Sagging

If parts of the roof are sagging, it means the structural integrity of the roof is failing. If you notice this, call professionals to help you replace your roof immediately. 

Knowing When To Replace Your Roof

When your roof is in danger of collapsing, it puts you, your family, and your belongings at risk. Avoid this by knowing what warning signs to look out for to alert you that it’s time to replace your roof. 

If you’d like to replace your roof, book one of our expert roofing contractors to assist you!