The roof is your first line of defense against property damaged caused by foul weather, and you can usually get away without doing repairs for a number of years. Eventually, however, every roof will reach the end of its lifespan and require a replacement. To prevent yours from being a surprise, keep an eye out for these warning signs that you might need to pencil a roof replacement into this year's home maintenance budget.

The Roof Is Getting Old

The average lifespan of a roof varies according to the materials from which it is made along with the conditions that it is exposed to over the years. Typically, an asphalt roof can last between 10 to 20 years with proper maintenance, but it will likely need some repairs periodically. As your roof gets older, it is simply not capable of withstanding high winds and rain. For this reason, you may need to replace it towards the end of its lifespan.

Water Is Leaking Indoors

Once a water leak occurs, you can usually bet that a roofing professional will find some type of damage in the sub-roofing materials. If the damage is small, you might be able to have a portion of the roof replaced, but it may be hard to match materials if your roof is already on the older side. In this case, a full roof replacement may make more sense aesthetically. Large leaks that have gone on for a period of time will also require the roof to be replaced by a company like Burke's Roofing.

There's More Than One Layer

A layer of asphalt shingles can sometimes be placed over the first one to avoid doing a full tear-off. However, multiple layers are not recommended because they become heavy, and they may not protect the roof properly. When there is a need to replace multiple shingles on a two-layer roof, you will usually need to go back down to a full new first layer.

Although replacing a roof tends to be more of an expense when compared to a repair, there are times when this is the best option. In fact, replacing a roof that no longer protects your house gives you the best return on investment when you do not have to worry about water damage. By taking a good look at your roof and watching for signs of failure, you can plan for a replacement before you are looking at a more extensive need for repairs on your house.