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HomeExclusiveHow Do You Know When To Replace Roof

How Do You Know When To Replace Roof

Rotten Or Peeling Shingles Near The Gutters

When do I need to replace my roof

Damage to your roof can often tell you when to replace gutters. If your rain gutters arent functioning properly, it can lead to water pooling, mildew growing, and other signs of deterioration. Your shingles will bear the brunt of the problem. They will start to break down, rot, and crack or peel away from the roof.

Life Expectancy Of The Roof

According to most roofing experts, a standard roof should last between 20-25 years, depending on the initial installation and upkeep. If your roof is reaching the end of its life expectancy or is in a bad state of repair, you must arrange to have it replaced to avoid any damage to the interior of your home.

Sign #: Damaged Flashing

Flashing is the material placed around objects that protrude from roofs, such as your chimney and roof vents. Flashing is designed to prevent the movement of water into your roof by averting the water away from seams where water runoff is greater. It is made up of thin pieces of impenetrable materials aluminium and galvanized steel are most popular.

Your flashing may be damaged as a result of the caulking material under the flashing drying out or deterioration of the material caused by weather and oxidation. Loose flashing is another common problem having loose flashing can cause water to seep, leak inside your walls and ceilings and cause extensive damage such as mould and mildew growth and rotted wood, which can cause irreparable damage to your roofing structure.

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Early Signs That You Need To Replace Your Roof

Replacing a roof is a project wed all like to put off. It can be a major investment to replace your roof. A new roof could easily run around $5,000 to $10,000 or more. This varies based on how much contractors charge by area and what types of materials you use. Contractors can take one to several days to install a new roof. Or, if you plan to replace the roof yourself, its a large home remodel that could run you around a few days to weeks to complete, depending on how much time and help you have.All that said, if you dont replace your roof when you first see signs of wear, it can mean more costly repairs down the road. The most common problem is that water will seep in under worn shingles and cause damage to the structures below. Thats when leaks into the home and mold start to happen. On the more mild side, an old roof can look just plain ugly. So below well look at some of the early signs that your roof might need to be replaced.

Start By Learning Your Roofs History

How to Determine if You Need a Roof Replacement

Gauge whether youre closing in on your roofs expiration date by determining its installation date. If you purchased a new build or owned your home during the last roof replacement, then this should be fairly straightforward. Otherwise, dig a little deeper by reaching out to one of these sources:

  • Ask the previous owners: Give good old-fashioned communication a try and talk to the person who sold you the house. Even if they dont know the exact date, they can provide you with a ballpark estimate. If you no longer have their contact details, your real estate agent can look into their records and provide them to you, so long as it would not violate any existing non-disclosure agreements.
  • Find the building permit: A roof replacement typically mandates a building permit from the local county. Head to your local municipalitys code enforcement office and request records of building permits for your address. A code or zoning officer will pull up any documents submitted for the project, including scope and building timeline.
  • Contact the roof installation company: If you know which company installed the roof, call and ask if they still have a record of the project in their database.

During your research, keep an eye out for any warranties included. A shingle warranty lasts 20 to 50 years, protecting you against manufacturing defects a workmanship warranty covers issues that may occur due to improper installation.

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Are You Selling Your House In The Next 5 Years

Just like every roof replacement is different, so is everyones situation. You have to take your future plans into consideration when deciding if you should replace your roof.

If youre older, settled in your forever home, and know your roof is around that 20-year mark, then you might just want to throw a new roof on and forget about it.

If youre close to the 20-year mark and know youre going to be selling your house in 2 to 5 years youre probably going to have to replace the roof to put your home on the market. So consider replacing it now, enjoy it as much as you can, and then get your investment back with the curb appeal when its time to sell.

How Much Does Roof Replacement Cost

The roof replacement cost depends on the type of material, the size of your home, and the scope of the roof project. A partial roof replacement will cost a fraction of a full roof replacement as it requires fewer materials and hours to complete the job.

After inspecting your roof, your roofer can give you a fair estimate of the job.

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How Long Is A Roof Supposed To Last

In terms of how long your own roof will last, it is impossible to put an exact time on it. The lifespan on your roof will largely depend on when it was made/fitted, where you live, and the material it is made out of. Things such as the weather, the humidity, the levels of salt, and more can affect how long a roof will last, as well as freak accidents. However, generally speaking, a roof is designed to be replaced on average every 30 years. Roofs made out of slate and copper can last as long as 50 years, while those with fiber cement shingles only last half of that on average. Asphalt shingle/composition roofs are estimated to last around 20 years. Metal roofing, such as Colorbond, can last a lot longer. With regards to lifespan-cost ratio, Colorbond metal roofing is the most cost effective and efficient option on the market.

How Do You Maintain Your New Roof

How to determine when a roof needs replacing

Once you replace your roof, it is important to maintain it as best you can in order to prolong its lifespan. The last thing you want is to have to pay for another new one in ten yearsâ time. Make sure to clean your roof shingles every now and then, and if you notice any are missing, act fast and replace them. Replacing the roof sealant when needed is also a good idea to avoid cracking. If you have overhanging branches, plants, or vines that interfere with your roof, keep them trimmed back and out of the way. Inspect your roof for rust and use a wire brush to get rid of it when needed. Keep your gutters clear and unclogged to avoid water damage under your roof.

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Roof Deck Underlayment The Last Line Of Defense

Whats fastened to the roof deck before shingles are installed will impact how well the entire roof structure can resist moisture. There are several components that get installed underneath the shingles for underlying roof protection: underlayments, moisture-and-ice barrier for valleys and eaves, and starter shingles along the eaves.

Heres a look at each:

Signs Your Roof Needs Repairing Or Replacing

Do you know how to recognise the signs your roof needs repairing or replacing? If you are seeing one or more of these signs, its probably time to get your roof inspected by a professional. These signs will help you decide whether your roof needs repairing or replacing, depending on the severity. Ignoring these issues is a recipe for disaster and will usually lead to significant damage and higher costs later on.

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Your Notice Exterior Damage

If you have asphalt or wooden shingles, watch for signs of physical damage. Damage can manifest in different ways, mostly as missing, warped, or curling shingles. Metal, slate, clay, or EPDM roofs may develop cracks, dents, look thin, or appear worn out.

Even if there are no signs of roof damage, arranging a visual inspection every few years is essential. As your roofer examines the roof shingles, they will also pay attention to areas vulnerable to damage, starting with your roof’s slope.

They will also check the valleys where the roof slopes meet. If the valleys have signs of damage, your roof could start leaking. A crucial component of any roofing structure is that the valley directs rainwater into gutters and away from your walls.

Check the gutters and downspouts for shingle or roof granules. If you notice them, that’s a sure sign your roof is wearing away. Granules can come off during a hail storm and leave bald spots around the roof’s surface.

Ask your roofing contractor to investigate the problem and confirm whether hail damage is to blame, as this can create a ground for filing a claim for roof replacement with your insurance company.

The Top Ten Questions To Ask When Considering A Roof Replacement

How To You Know if You Need a Roof Replacement

Replacing your roof is not a decision you want to be taking lightly, as it can be a very expensive, although necessary job. Unfortunately, roofing is not made to last forever, and general wear and tear can quickly spiral into something far worse if you are not careful. While it can be tempting to pay for cheaper repair jobs or even ignore the problem altogether, this can be extremely costly in the long-term. Paying for a roof replacement when the time is right can seem like a lot of money, but those costs will only be exasperated if you wait for roof wear and tear to damage other parts of your property. For example, a leak in your roof can easily then cause damp and water damage in your ceilings and walls. We understand that you want to be as informed as possible before making a decision like this, so here are ten of the questions you simply must ask when thinking about a roof replacement.

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Moss And Dark Streaks

Algae in the air can cause dark streaks to appear on your roof. While the organisms may not harm your roof immediately, they surely make it look dull and ugly.

Moss can also sprout on your roof’s surface, especially if the roof is damp or doesn’t receive enough sunlight. More than a cosmetic issue, moss will retain moisture and cause problems during the winter months.

Decide Whether To Repair Or Replace Your Roof

Say your roof inspection report estimates you should replace your roof in the next five years, detailing several problems with the shingles and flashings. If youre planning to sell within that window, you might wonder whether its best to replace or repair the roof before you list.

Thats a discussion that you should have with your agent as a lot of that is going to depend on the state of the market your house is in, Andrew Oldham advises.

So, if the market is a very hot sellers market and you would expect to get multiple offers anyway, you may not need to go the expensive route.

Your agent will measure the return on investment that various roof modifications will yield and determine whether or not your home needs the upgrade to compete in your market.

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Can You Replace A Roof Yourself

If you’re like the majority of homeowners, installing a new roof by yourself may not be the best idea. However, if you have the tools needed to replace roof shingles at your disposal and a fair amount of DIY experience, simple installations like asphalt shingles may be manageable. Figure out roughly how much DIYing will save you, then decide whether it’s worth the risk of potentially building a leaky roof.

Gauge Material Life Expectancy

Roof service vs Repair. When do you know itâs time to replace or just repair.

Build date in hand, compare your roofs age to these average material life expectancies:

  • Asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
  • Architectural shingles: 25 to 30 years
  • Wood shingles: 30 years with regular maintenance
  • Clay tiles: 50 years or more
  • Metal roofing: Up to 70 years
  • Slate tile: 50 to 100+ years

How long your roofing material lasts largely depends on the climate you live in. For instance, a 30-year roof composed of asphalt shingles may live up to its life expectancy in Oregon, thanks to the cooler climate. In a climate like Florida, on the other hand, the same 30-year roof may only last 10 to 12 years under the stress of humidity, heat, and turbulent tropical storms.

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How Do I Know If My Roof Needs To Be Replaced 10 Signs

The last thing you want to do is replace your roof too early, but at the same time, nobody wants to wait until its too late either. Knowing that your roof has been damaged and just when to change your roof can be difficult. As a homeowner Ive dealt with multiple roof replacements. Its a good thing Ive had helpful friends around in the early years. From my experience, its mostly guesswork if you dont know what you are looking for. For exactly this reason, I wanted to share with you 10 signs to know that your roof is damaged and may need to be replaced.

When To Replace A Clay Tile Roof

Modern clay roof tiles are typically supplied with a 30 year manufacturers guarantee, however in many instances clay roof tiles are in usable condition after 100 years, and we have seen examples of clay roof tiles that are in excess of 200 years old and still have many years life left in them! Older clay tiles can be susceptible to frost damage, which leads to the tile cracking and leaking. This is because older roof tiles were rarely manufactured to the high standards that modern roof tiles are subject to. The rigorous UK and EU standards that we rely on in the 21st century are in place to ensure that modern roofing materials provide a long service life.

If your clay roof tiles are breaking up, this is a sure sign that the roof needs replacing, and often once a few tiles start cracking, examination of the rest of the roof often reveals that many of the other tiles are cracking and need replacing promptly.

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Signs It Is Time To Replace Your Roof

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You know when it is time to get a new car because the signs are generally quite obvious. One such sign would be your car continually breaks down and needs constant repairing. It is also easy to tell when you need new furniture, which is essentially when you can no longer stand how torn, stained or scratched it is. However, do you know when it is time to replace your roof? When it comes to roof replacement, the point at which you need to replace your roof is not always so obvious. In fact, it rarely is . And, while some people might think that simply repairing their roof by replacing a few shingles will do the trick, in most cases, that only solves the problem in the short term. So, how do you know when it is time for a new roof? Here are 5 signs you need to seriously consider replacing your roof.

Warning Signs You Need A New Roof

5 Things You Need To Know When Replacing Your Roof

It’s hard to overstate the importance of a good, reliable roof it protects you from rain and snow, helps you stay warm at night, and safeguards you and your loved ones from the outside world. This is why it’s important to keep a close eye on your roof and inspect it regularly for any signs of failure. If you recognize any of the following roof warning signs and take action right away, you could be avoiding more expensive repairs down the road.

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Potential Signs That Your Roof May Need To Be Replaced:

  • Shingle edges are curled or shingle tabs are cupped.
  • Bald spots where granules are missing.
  • Cracked shingles.
  • Your roof is at least 20 years old while many shingles today are produced for durability, many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. For example, if your roof is not properly ventilated, it can negatively impact your shingles.
  • The roof just looks old and worn.
  • Neighbors are getting new roofs. Homes built around the same time period can be experiencing the same types of weather conditions can mean that your roof is nearing its useful life.
  • Dark streaks. Airborne algae cause dark streaks on roof decks. While this may not necessarily harm the roof shingles, it may not look good.
  • Moss can grow on roof surfaces that dont get much sunlight, especially in cool, moist climates. Moss growth can be more than a cosmetic issue. Moss holds moisture against the roof surface and over time in freezing climates can cause damage to the granules on the top of the shingles. Moss can be brushed off but it wont prevent it from growing again take care not to damage the shingle surface. You may need to contact a professional roofing contractor.
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