Don’t wait to replace your Cincinnati roof until your shingles are blowing in the wind and your gutters 
and downspouts are on the ground. An emergency roof replacement is expensive. Leaks can cause additional rot and mold problems that require specialist water damage restoration services to reverse. Evaluate your roof every summer and after every major storm to catch the warning signs early.
The age of your roof
You can expect a roof in Cincinnati to last 20-25 years. However, nature isn’t always kind. Cincinnati roofs are exposed to constant sun, rain, and wind. If your roof is approaching its “late teens” it’s time to start checking on it more frequently and making plans for when it needs replacing.
Of course, younger roofs can develop problems as well. Even if you got your roof installed five years ago you should do regular maintenance checks just to be on the safe side.
Warped shingles
Shingles should lie in crisp, flat rows. If you notice that your shingles seem to be curling or falling out of line with the others this is a major warning sign. If only a few shingles are doing this, you may be able to replace them and prolong the life of your Cincinnati roof as a whole. That’s all that you will be doing, however. Even the best maintained roofs eventually wear out and need to be replaced. If shingles are coming loose, or if the asphalt itself is buckling and bowing, your roof has simply reached the end of its useful life.
Damage to the roof valleys
Your roof valleys are the places that receive the most wear and tear on your roof. Water is funneled off of your roof through these depressions; they often make up the angle of a roof where two planes meet. Leaks are a major concern in these areas. If you notice that your shingles here are particularly loose, this could be a warning sign that you may have to replace your roof. Also, check to make sure that the underpinning on the shingles is water tight. Tar or roof cement wears out more quickly than metal fittings. Check for this problem around weak areas on the roof such as a chimney or skylight as well.
What are your neighbors doing
This isn’t a question of keeping up with the Joneses. Most houses in a Cincinnati neighborhood were built about the same time. They’ve been exposed to the same weather patterns in that time. If you notice that more than one or two of your neighbors are replacing their roofs, you should do a thorough inspection of yours. Unless your house is drastically newer than others in the area your roof will be in about the same condition.
The best way to extend the life of your Cincinnati roof, past the average for the neighborhood, is regular cleaning and maintenance. Fixing loose shingles every spring and double-checking for leaks after the first big storm of the year will help you fix small problems before they become major. Even the best maintained roof will need to be replaced eventually. It’s better to heed the warning signs and schedule your roof replacement with Best Cincinnati Roofing; don’t wait for an emergency to arise.
