Asphalt shingle roofs last around 20 years, provided that weather or other external factors don’t reduce that expected lifespan. Still, you may be unsure whether your shingled roof is due for a replacement, especially if storms have hit your home hard or decades have passed since the roof was last replaced.

If you wonder whether your home is due for a new roof, then you should know a few clues that will help you make a decision. Below are four signs that your asphalt shingle roof is nearing or has passed the end of its useful life.

The lower edge of your roof is susceptible to several problems and some types of damage that may not be issues for other roof areas. It can be easy for wind to blow rain back underneath this area, and it’s also one of the more vulnerable spots in a windstorm.

Here are some common issues that can occur with your roof eaves and overhang that may require roof repairs or maintenance work.

If you clean your gutters on a seasonal schedule and check roof flashings regularly, you might scratch your head when you still deal with issues like roof leaks and missing shingles. Unfortunately, other culprits of roofing damage exist — and one of those villains might be you. Here are two surprising ways people unintentionally damage their own roofs and how you can avoid issues in the long run. 

What Is an Ice Dam?

A ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof that prevents melting snow from draining. Water backs up behind the dam and can leak into the home. In Colorado, our sunshine can make temperatures get high and then quickly cool by 30° or more once shade hits, which then gets the dams re-forming.