A general rule of thumb is if your roof is over 15-20 years old, it may be time for a new one. 3 Tab shingles will typically last for 15-25 years while architectural shingles will last 20-35 years if cared for properly. Keep in mind, many roof components like pipe boots, ridge vents, skylights and chimney flashing may break down much quicker than the roof shingles. Having a qualified roofing company inspect the roof will give you the best answer as to wether or not it is time to replace your roof. Keep in mind that a thorough inspection takes time and most roofing companies will charge a fee for the inspection.

If your roof is less than 15 years old, chances are that it can be repaired. In some cases, where a faulty or budget grade shingle has been installed, the roof may need to be replaced. In our experience, one of the first things to break down on the roof are the pipe boots as well as the ridge vent systems. If that is the case, replacing a leaking pipe boot or a ridge vent system may give your roof an additional 5-10 years of life. Regular maintenance and inspecting the roof regularly can go a long way in making sure you maximize the lifespan of your roof. If a problematic leak is not fixed in a timely manor, it may cause damage to the roof decking, insulation in the attic as well as the drywall on the interior of the home.

Many people may think that the dark streaking on their roof is simply dirt that has accumulated over time and the roof needs a simple cleaning. In reality, the dark streaking as well as moss growth is caused by an airborne Algae called Gloeocapsa Magma that thrives in areas of high moisture. That is why you typically tend to see the streaking and moss growth in shady parts of the roof where the sun doesn't reach it as much. One major component of any shingle is crushed limestone which is highly porous and actively absorbs liquids. As the algae is passed along with the wind from roof to roof, it actually feeds on the crushed limestone and fiberglass on the shingle itself. Since the limestone absorbs water, it only helps to spread the streaking and moss growth. Many manufacturers have begun to include crushed copper and zinc in the actual makeup of the shingles that helps to deter the growth of algae on the shingles. However, even the best shingle will eventually give way as the metals can break down or dull over as they age.

The best way to avoid seeing the streaks and moss growth on your roof is to have a quality shingle installed on your home. One other option is to install copper or zinc strips near the roof peaks on the roofline. This allows the water to run over the metal and will inhibit further growth of algae on the roof as the water runs down.

How do I remove the streaking?
You can "wash" the roof with a a mixture of water, bleach and Trisodium Phosphate which will kill the algae. You never want to power wash the roof as the pressure will remove the granules from the shingle itself and shorten the lifespan of the shingle further.

If your roof is less than 15 years old, chances are that it can be repaired. In some cases, where a faulty or budget grade shingle has been installed, the roof may need to be replaced. In our experience, one of the first things to break down on the roof are the pipe boots as well as the ridge vent systems. If that is the case, replacing a leaking pipe boot or a ridge vent system may give your roof an additional 5-10 years of life. Regular maintenance and inspecting the roof regularly can go a long way in making sure you maximize the lifespan of your roof. If a problematic leak is not fixed in a timely manor, it may cause damage to the roof decking, insulation in the attic as well as the drywall on the interior of the home.

A general rule of thumb is if your roof is over 15-20 years old, it may be time for a new one. 3 Tab shingles will typically last for 15-25 years while architectural shingles will last 20-35 years if cared for properly. Keep in mind, many roof components like pipe boots, ridge vents, skylights and chimney flashing may break down much quicker than the roof shingles. Having a qualified roofing company inspect the roof will give you the best answer as to wether or not it is time to replace your roof. Keep in mind that a thorough inspection takes time and most roofing companies will charge a fee for the inspection.