Tips To Know Before Inspecting Your Roof Shingles for Damage

Posted on Monday, May 16th, 2022 | 1,173 views

A lot of the time customers ask us if they need new shingles on their roof. This article explains when shingles need to be replaced and how to inspect them yourself.

When it comes to the lifespan of asphalt shingles, the roofing industry consensus is clear that they generally last between 15 to 30 years. Their strength and durability depend on the climate you’re situated in and various environment factors.

Shingles Are Affected by Climate

In Canada’s climate, roof shingles generally remain in good condition for approximately 20 years which is when you start seeing signs of deterioration. Cold and snow will do more damage to shingles than rain or scorching sun.

Shingles in places like British Columbia and parts of Ontario last longer than they do in climates like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the Maritimes. They all have the same general lifespan but you’ll see more signs of wear-and-tear and deterioration in colder areas of the country.

The strength and durability of each brand of shingles is different and will depend on the manufacturing process, and how good your roofers are at installing them.

How To Inspect Your Roof Shingles

A DIY shingle inspection is as easy as going onto your roof and taking note of your findings. You need a strong and sturdy latter to get onto your roof and we advise you to wear roof safety wear to help reduce potential injury.

Because there are high chances for falling and severe injury, we would prefer that you contact a roofing company and let them do it, but we know there are a lot of people that would like to save a little money and do the inspection themselves.

Be careful. Walk around your roof slowly and take note of its condition and specifically the conditions of your shingles. If you find any of the following signs make sure to call your local roofers as soon as possible. The quicker you get your shingles fixed or replaced, the less of a chance you’ll experience roof leaking and other forms of roofing damage.

Signs Your Shingles Need Replacing

Damage shingles

Damaged singles are an obvious sign that your roof shingles are not in good condition anymore and may need to be replaced. There could be many causes that your shingles are damaged but if it’s been over 15 years since they’ve been replaced, it’s most likely due to environment wear-and-tear.

Cracking and overly dry shingles

Singles that appear to crack easy and are cracked across most of your roof is a sure sign your roofing needs to be replaced. This can usually start happening when the shingles are approximately 20 to 25 years old depending on the manufacturer.

Curled up and cupped shingle tabs

Shingles that are starting to curl and become cupped up are good signs that they’ve exceeded their service life. The edges of the shingles become turned up or turned downwards (clawing) due to factors including weather, wear-and-tear and temperature fluctuations.

When these signs are present, it’s important to call your local roofing company for a roof replacement or shingle repairs.

What Can Damage Roof Shingles

Asphalt shingles are especially made to protect a roof and be able to endure years of batter and wear-and-tear but they’re not made to last a lifetime. They have their own special qualities and features but they’re also less expensive than other roofing options. Asphalt shingles are strong but they can still become damaged or inoperable.

Weather conditions

The shingles on your roof can be damaged by an array of different things and situations. Long-term extreme heat or cold weather can shorten the life of your shingles and so can situations like strong hail, wind damage, prolonged leaks, exposure to moisture, or improperly directed flows of water.

Excessive sunlight and excessive snow can damage shingles, and of course falling branches can cause severe damage too.

Wildlife intrusions

Wildlife are major sources of roof and shingle damage, and the use of certain chemicals intended to clean your shingles could actually ruin them

Organic growth

Even organic material and moss growth can cause prolonged issues that can damage your shingles and cause all sorts of other roofing issues. See our article on how to remove and prevent moss growth on your roof for more details.

Inspections are essential

In a home’s lifetime it’s highly likely that at some point you’re going to find that your shingles have been damage or that your entire roof needs to be replaced. In any event, these potential problems point to why roof inspections are essential and should be done at least every 5 to 10 years.

Be Careful Where You Step for DYI Inspections

Our advice is to not walk around on your roof and look for signs of shingle damage because you could actually get hurt and/or ruin parts of the roof yourself. Professional roofers have all the necessary equipment to be safe on a roof and they know how and where to talk without causing damage.

If you’re going to do a preliminary inspection of your roof by yourself, make sure to be very careful where you step because you could end up ruining your roof or the shingles yourself. Pay attention to take small careful steps, and if you can, simply stay on your step ladder and take as many pictures as possible. Once the pictures are taken, simply send them to your roofing company or show them when they arrive at your home.

By taking pictures from your step ladder you’ll reduce the chances you damage something, and also ensure your safety.