The structural integrity of your roof matters when it comes to the safety of your home. Once your roof has reached its expected life cycle or has ongoing issues, it may be time to get a new one. Many signs will let any homeowner know it's time to call in roofing services for a new installation. Here are seven signs to watch out for.

1. It Appears to Sag

When you stand outside and look at your roof, does it appear to sag in the middle? A sagging roof is an example of a roof with an underlying structure that has worn out. It's dangerous as that type of roof could collapse at any time. Needless to say, if your roof would collapse while you or your family are home, that could be a major threat to your life.

2. You Want to Sell Your Home

When it's time to sell your home, you want to ensure your roof is in the best condition possible. Put yourself in the shoes of another potential buyer. Would you want a roof that was on its last legs before buying a home? The answer is most likely, no. According to Realty Times, a bad roof will not only cause your home value to decline, but it can also make it impossible to sell. So if you have a possible time frame for a future move, one of the best things you could do is go ahead and call local roofing services for an upgrade.

3. Your Gutters Are Clogged

Gutters play an important part in roof health. The gutters are responsible for ushering water away from the roof when it rains or when snow melts. However, when your roof begins to decline, you may start to see fragments in your gutters, especially when it comes to asphalt tiles. Your typical asphalt tile is coated with granules to help protect from heat expansion. However, over time, those granules can begin to wear off. As you see more granules clogging up your gutters, that usually means your asphalt tiling has reached the end of its life and is no longer protecting your roof as it should. Plus, a clogged gutter won't be able to usher water away from the roof and may send that water into your foundation.

4. It Constantly Leaks

A leaky roof is an unsafe roof. When water can come through leaks in your roof, it can seep down into your foundation and weaken it. It makes the home environment unsafe by becoming a breeding ground for mold. It only takes mold as little as 24 to 72 hours to begin sprouting in a wet environment, according to Qipa, a health advice provider. Additionally, a water-damaged foundation is unstable and may collapse in areas.

5. There's Plenty of Moss

Do you notice a lot of moss growing on your roof? While the bright green moss may seem reminiscent of children's stories, it's not a good thing for your home in real life. Since your roof is exposed to the elements, it's bound to get wet due to rain, snow, and humidity. Under normal conditions, that water will evaporate away from the roof. The presence of moss hinders any evaporation and holds that moisture in. That moisture can creep below the surface of the roof and weaken it.

6. Pests Have Invaded the Attic

Are you hearing scurrying noises and other sounds coming from your attic? Unless you have a family pet up there, it's usually a sign that some creatures have invaded your home. If your roof has cracks or other holes, certain animals can easily get in and lay nests. You may have snakes, rodents, birds, squirrels, or raccoons having fun up in your attic thanks to roof vulnerabilities.

7. You've Noticed High Energy Bills

If you suddenly have high energy bills, it can be due to air escaping from the roof. A damaged roof doesn't have good insulation, so it can be hard to cool down the house in summer and warm it in winter without blasting your AC or heater.

The safety of your roof is nothing to take lightly. If your roof is damaged, sagging, cracked, and leaking, it can cause problems for your home. Luckily, professional roofing services are only a phone call away. Enlist Four Leaf Roofing & Windows today to build a roof that'll keep your home safe.