Should you care about wear and tear to your roof? You betcha. A worn roof at the end of its life span is prone to leaks. You don’t want to deal with damage caused by roof leaks, and you don’t want to worry about mold in your home. Plan for that roof replacement.

In most cases, an asphalt shingle roof lasts about 20 years. The life span depends on the roof’s original quality and the amount of sun exposure. Sunlight breaks down the asphalt base of the shingles and eventually causes shrinkage, curling, granular loss and potential leaks.

Take a look at the illustration; it shows what to look for. You can check your roof from the ground with binoculars or work from the edge of the roof. Check the sunny side — that’s where you will find the most wear.

You can also note the spacing or shrinkage between shingle tabs. Newer roofs will have a tight, clean space about 1/4″ inch wide between shingles. Older roofs will have a gap that increases with age up to about 3/4″ inch when the roof is worn out. Contact a professional if you suspect your roof is worn.