Some homeowners wait until their roofs are practically falling apart to have them replaced. Other homeowners are a bit more proactive. They replace their roofs when they are just starting to show signs of significant damage and deterioration rather than putting it off. Ask a bunch of roofers which approach is better, and most will tell you that they'd rather see you replace your roof sooner, rather than later. And this is not because the roofers want to make more money and replace more roofs. Rather, it is because earlier roof replacement has the following benefits.
It maintains your energy efficiency.
As a roof deteriorates, it starts to allow more heat to pass through it. In other words, it becomes less efficient, causing your heating and cooling bills to rise. If you wait to replace your roof, you may be paying higher bills for a few years until you finally get around to getting a new roof. On the other hand, if you replace your roof sooner, you will be able to avoid these higher energy bills. This earlier replacement is also, therefore, easier on your HVAC system and likely to extend its longevity.
It reduces the amount of work that needs to be done on your roof deck.
The roof deck is the layer of plywood under your shingles. If your shingles deteriorate and start letting moisture through, the roof deck may soon sustain some damage and begin rotting. Then, when you replace your roof, your roofer will need to replace or repair the roof deck, which adds to the cost and makes the project take longer. If you instead replace your roof sooner, the deck will likely still be in perfect shape, so your roofer can probably leave it untouched.
It reduces the risk of water damage in the attic.
Water damage in the attic is not simple to fix. You have to strip out wet insulation, replace rotten boards, and maybe even run a dehumidifier to dry out the space and prevent mold growth. The longer you leave a roof in place, the bigger your risk of having to deal with water damage in the attic. If you instead replace a roof at the first sign of damage, you can usually avoid all of the water and mold remediation work that comes later on when the roof starts to leak.
Replace your roof sooner, rather than later, and you won't regret it. To schedule a roof replacement, contact a professional roofer in your area.