If you own your own home, there’s going to come a time when the roof starts to show its’ age and needs to be replaced. Following are some of the danger signs that indicate you’re going to need a new roof very soon?

1. You have water stains on your walls or ceiling.

Noticing water stains on your ceiling or walls inside the home is a good indication you’ve got a roof leak. But because water can run along just about any surface, don’t assume the hole in the roof is directly above the stain. Water will take the path of least resistance, so a roofer will have to try to trace the leak back to its source before repairing.

2. Roof shingles are torn, missing or lifting.

If your roof shingles are falling off, damaged or lifting, there’s a good chance you’re going to have a leak. Shingles are designed to keep water from penetrating your roof, so if they are starting to fail, you might want to consider a new roof. At a minimum, you’ll want to have the damaged or missing shingles replaced.

3. Soffits or fascia are damaged.

Soffits are the ventilated covers that go from the fascia (the plank that your gutters are attached to) to the house. If either of these are damaged, you’ll want to have them inspected and if necessary, replace them.

4. The roof is older than 15.

Age is a factor and if the roof is more than 15 years old, it may be more practical to replace the roof instead of repairing it. A lot of times, when a roof starts to fail, you can repair one area, only to find another section starts leaking shortly after that. Rather than making a number of costly repairs, get a price for a whole new roof that will give you years without worry.

5. There is staining on the exterior paint or brick from water damage.

If you see staining on the outside of the home, where the wall meets the roof, it could be a sign of a leak. Get it inspected to determine the source of the leak and then decide if it’s worth repairing. Sometimes it’s better to replace the roof depending on the age, condition, and how the roof has been maintained over the years.

6. Sagging or damaged eavestroughs.

Eavestroughs and gutters are part of your roof system. If these are clogged, blocked, damaged or otherwise not working properly, they can cause leaks. To prevent blockages from happening, eavestroughs should be cleaned out a couple of times a year, or better yet, have a leafguard installed so that debris can’t clog up the downspouts.

If your roof is showing any of these warning signs, have it inspected by a reputable roofing company. They can give you an idea of how much life is left in the roof, and identify any problem areas they find. Then you can decide on repair versus replacement.

These warning signs also apply to commercial properties, and are good indicators as to the condition of your roof.