How Does Roofing Material Affect Its Longevity
There are numerous types of roofing materials on the market today. Each of these roofing materials possesses a different intrinsic lifespan which is also influenced heavily by factors such as weather.
A roof which is often subjected to wind, rain, snow or extreme heat and humidity will most certainly have a shorter life span than a roof in a temperate area with no drastic changes in weather patterns.
The structure underneath the roof covering should last the entire lifespan of the building itself. Barring major structural damage caused by prolonged leaking or major storm damage, the roof covering is the only part which should need replacing if replacement is indeed necessary.
Important Signs That You Need To Replace Your Roof
Even understanding the quality and durability of your roofing material, the lifespan of your roof still depends on the climate. Frequent hail, snow, hurricanes, and inclement weather can cut the longevity of any roof. There are also recommended roofs for hot climates
Instead of relying entirely on the age and material of your roof, its more important to check your roof frequently and take notice of any potential signs that it could use a replacement.
Replace Your Roof Today
One way to know how often to replace a roof is by tracking its age, but we now know that other factors contribute to the longevity of a roof. So how do you know if you need a new roof?
You can always consult a professional to inspect your roof and discuss your options. Is your home due for a roof replacement? Contact Long Roofing at 844-602-LONG or visit Long online to request a free estimate!
Don’t Miss: How To Insulate A Garage Roof
The Top Ten Questions To Ask When Considering 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.
How Often Should Different Types Of Roofs Be Replaced
The expected lifespan of a roof depends entirely on the type of roofing material used and how well its been maintained. The underlying structure of your roof should last the entire lifespan of your house, but the materials covering the roof have varying lifespans, some considerably shorter than others.
Generally speaking, quality, durable materials coupled with regular maintenance can greatly extend the lifespan of your roof. Here are general guidelines as to how long you can expect certain materials to last:
- Metal roofing: 50 to 75 years
In addition to proper maintenance for the roofing material, climate also plays a significant role in the longevity of your roof.
Heavy snowfall, high winds, humid summers, etc. can all lead roofing to age prematurely, warranting more frequent roof replacements. If you live in an environment with a severe climate, its important to get regular roof inspections, especially after periods of extended weather activity.
Also Check: How To Install Thatch Roofing
Q: How Do I Know When I Should Replace My Roof Its A Clay Tile Roof And The House Dates Back To 1905 A Few Tiles Have Come Down Which I Have Replaced But The Roof Is Quite Old I Asked A Roofer And He Said I Need To Replace It But He Was Obviously Keen On New Business It Is Such A Huge Amount Of Money That I Don’t Want I Replace The Roof Until I Absolutely Have To
This is a pitched roof with clay tiles , which dates from when the house was originally constructed in 1905, and a few tiles have come down. It is now over 100 years old and on a rule of thumb basis might now be expected to have reached the end of its useful life. That said, there are many old tiled roofs which are still in service, usually to preserve the character of a building but they will have been subject to an extensive overhaul and will need regular maintenance.
The majority of clay tiles from this era will be reliant on nibs to their rear faces, which rest upon timber battens. Only occasionally will nails be used additionally. Whilst by now, nails will no doubt be virtually rusted away, tiles dont tend to come down unless either the nibs have broken off, they are cracked through or the battens have given way. Signs to look out for, to determine when wholesale renewal is necessary, are tiles coming down increasingly more often, many slipped due to perished knibs, white salts to the underside, extensive spalling and or cracked/ snapped/broken battens.
It should be possible to coax a few years extra life from a clay tiled roof, provided the battens are still sound, by simply replacing individual defective old tiles with new, where needed .
Andrew McWhirter, McWhirter Associates, Chartered Surveyors
How Often Should I Replace My Roof
In this modern day and age, it seems like almost everything from cellphones to new cars are designed to be thrown out or replaced after just a few years. While this might not be a bad thing as far as technology is concerned, most homeowners very often focus on custom home renovations, but sometimes dont want to invest in a roof that needs to be repaired or replaced as often as a trend-obsessed teenagers smartphone.
Also Check: Can You Do Roofing Yourself
Your Asphalt Roof Is About 20 Years Old
The life of a roof is how many years you get out of it. For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, thats 25-years.
As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.
A reputable roofing contractor will recommend that you replace your roof somewhere around 80-85% of the manufacturers life of the roof. For example, you should consider replacing a 25-year roof around the 20-year mark.
Dont wait until its too late, get ahead of any potential problems and replace your roof before the end of its life.
Sunlight Coming Through The Roof Beams
When examining the roof from your attic, look for any spots where the sun is filtering through the roof boards. This is a sign that you need a new roof, and a quick call to a professional roofing company is a must.
Dont wait until you spot a leak in your ceiling to decide to replace your roof. Avoid more costly repairs by implementing a regular roof inspection.
You May Like: Are Metal Roofs Cheaper Than Shingle Roofs
How Long Does A Roof Last
Photo by
Take a look at your home improvement records. Youll want to consider the current roofs installation date or its most recent repairs. You will also need to bear in mind the material its made of. Different roofing mediums generally have different life spans. If your roof warranty or materials are nearing the end of their life, its probably time to look into replacement.
The most common roofing material in the United States is asphalt shingles. This is because they are durable in a number of climates and hold up to rain, snow, and warmth and generally economical. These shingles are available made with organic materials or with fiberglass. Typically, youll see asphalt roofing last between 10-30 years. The harshness of the climate will impact the lifespan of the shingles. Homeowners in a climate with high winds or extreme heat are encouraged to keep a closer eye on the state of their shingles and refer to the specific warranties from their roof manufacturer.
Roofing begins to age as soon as it is exposed to nature and homes experience aging factors differently. Below are the average lifespans of roofing materials:
|
Roof Material |
Photo Courtesy of Neighborhood Adjusters
Curling and buckling occur for a couple of reasons like improper installation or age. Youll want to have someone check out any curling, lest leaking becomes an issue.
Sign #: Falling Mortar
Mortars are mainly used for bedding roof junctions such as ridges and verges . You should check your mortars frequently, as these materials have a limited lifespan, and you should also look out for early signs of degeneration caused by extreme changes in the weather. These ridges and verges are highly susceptible to cracking and eventually may be dislodged and fall off in occurrences of strong winds.
Falling mortars may be a problem for older roofs where mortar was used as bedding for the tiles. If this starts to break down , then it may be an indication that the roof is reaching the end of its life. Keep in mind that mortar is best replaced rather than repaired.
Don’t Miss: Will A New Roof Lower My Home Insurance
Damaged Plumbing Vent Boots
Plumbing vent boots can be all plastic, plastic and metal, or even two-piece metal units. Check plastic bases for cracks and metal bases for broken seams. Then examine the rubber boot surrounding the pipe. That can be rotted away or torn, allowing water to work its way into the house along the pipe. With any of these problems, you should buy a new vent boot to replace the old one. Replacing the boot will solve the problem and most likely not mean a complete roof replacement. But if the nails at the base are missing or pulled free and the boot is in good shape, replace them with the rubber-washered screws used for metal roofing systems. Learn more about replacing plumbing vent boots here.
Learn Everything You Need To Know About Replacing Your Asphalt Roof
Now you know why and when you should replace your roof. Like I stated earlier, every roof replacement has to be done at the right time.
That right time isnt going to be the same for any two people. Maybe the right time is because youre getting close to that 20-year mark or you have to replace it to sell your home.
Now that you know the signs that it’s time for an asphalt roof replacement, what’s next?
The next step is to learn everything you can about replacing your roof. There’s a lot of information out there, though. Wouldn’t it be great if the most crucial information was in one place?
Luckily, we thought about this and wrote an article to educate homeowners like you on the most important things you need to know about an asphalt roof replacement.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing the residents of Nashville with high-quality roof replacements since 1990. We offer a no-pressure sales process that focuses on educating you.If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us to begin the roof replacement process.
You May Like: How To Install Snow Stops On Metal Roof
How Much Does A Roof Replacement Cost
Of course, there is no one set price for a new roof. Costs depend largely on how large your house is, what material the old roof was made out of, and what material the new roof is going to be made out of. Of course, the larger your house, the more expensive a roof replacement job is going to be, as most companies charge per square metre. Slate tends to be the most expensive option, followed by terracotta tiles. Terracotta tiles are heavy and can in turn damage the frame of your roof over the years. In most cases, these will eventually need to be replaced by metal roofing anyway, so Colorbond is often a better option from the start. It terms of how long Colorbond lasts compared to how much it will cost you, it is the best and most efficient material for roofing on the market.
How Do You Know When Your Roof Needs Replacement
A roof will begin to show signs of needing replacement long before the replacement is necessitated, and so it is vital to carry out regular inspections of the roof to ensure that repairs and maintenance happen at the appropriate and necessary times to ensure maximum longevity of the roof covering.
One of the first signs to look out for is damaged shingles. This is a highly noticeable occurrence which is easily detected by the naked eye upon inspection of the roof. If the shingles are cracked or curling at the edges, there is a good chance the roof will need replacement.
Gutters should always be checked to establish the health of a roof system. If granules can be found in the gutters, this can be a sign that there are issues with the roof. These granules are often small pieces of the shingles which may have broken off during times of bad weather.
Sagging of the roof is a sure sign that the roof is in need of replacement, and this should always be taken seriously. A sagging roof could potentially be a roof on the verge of collapse, and so action should be taken to prevent further damage to people and property.
A leaking roof is often a sign of an issue with the roof covering, and so the source of the leak should be found to establish whether a simple repair will suffice, or if a replacement of the entire roof is necessary.
You May Like: How Do You Insulate A Flat Roof
Some Other Considerations When Replacing A Roof
As mentioned, there are a number of different things that ultimately determine the lifespan of your roof. In some cases, its obvious that a roof replacement is needed. However, sometimes a simple roof repair is sufficient to get your roof back in good condition. The best thing you can do is get an expert opinion to determine what is necessary for your roof.
Another thing to consider is the builder of your home or business. Its not uncommon for newer home builds to quickly rush the roofing of the home. There are many houses that need to be completed in short time, so this could lead to problems later. Because of this, sometimes roofs on newer homes are poorly installed as a result.
When this happens, you may have a roof that is prone to damage easier or cause other damage to your home that may be unforeseen. An example of this would be if caulking around your chimney or sealant around vents is not properly done, this could lead to leaks in your roof sooner than expected.
You Have An Unexpected Rooftop Garden
Photo by Chris Ubik
Gardens are beautiful and can add serious appeal to your home. However, vegetation growth on your roof is indicative of a very serious issue with your shingles, shakes, slate, or tile.
Like mold, fungi, algae, or moss indicate that there may be trapped moisture that can cause issues with rot. Humid climates , can exacerbate organism growth in a moisture trapping roof.
If youre noticing black streaks or patches of green on your roof, get an inspector out to survey the situation.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Seal A Tin Roof
Sign #1: Rotting Underlay
Roofs rely on the underlay and tiles working together to keep water out. If there is a single tear in the underlay, then you may be able to patch it, but since there is already an existing tear somewhere from the roof, it can be an area where water may seep through.
If you look at the outside of your roof, you might not be able to notice a roofing problem. A tiny leak in the roof can go undetected, and thats what makes it riskier. These leaks tend to grow in size, and youll only notice when water has already seeped through the underlay.
If the underlay is already worn out and rotting, then it will need a replacement. Rotted underlay can weaken the foundation of your roof and cause it to collapse. In this case, a new roof will be required, as its impossible to replace only the underlay of a roof.
Replacing Roofs In The Pacific Northwest
When it comes to the Pacific Northwest and Oregon, specifically, you will need to consider past roof maintenance when determining how often to replace your roof. Here in Oregon, for instance, we have an abundance of moss on our roofs. If theres excessively large amounts of moss on your roof, thats a clear sign of poor maintenance. It is also a sign you may need to replace your roof at a much shorter-than-expected interval.
If you have questions about the state of your roof or the state of a roof on a house you are considering purchasing, who can help.
Read Also: How Often To Get Roof Replaced
Top Five Signs Its Time To Replace Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
There are a number of easily observed warning signs that indicate your roof is wearing out and that you can expect future leaks and trouble down the road. When these indications start popping into view on your roof, it is a good idea to start thinking about replacement or repair if that is possible.
1. Missing Granules
Missing granules, when viewed from the ground, look like dark patches on light shingles or lighter patches if the shingles are black or dark. You will also see large amounts of granules in the gutters when you clean them.
The loss of granules do not affect the waterproofing of the roof, so if they are missing you wont necessarily get leaks. But the granules protect the asphalt in the shingle from being damaged by the UV rays of the sun. So once they go, the shingles will wear out faster.
2. Curling Shingles
Curling Is the result of the asphalt in the shingles drying and shrinking over time. They become brittle as a result. In high winds, they will begin to get blown off. There is no repair for this other than replacing the tiles affected or, if widespread on your roof, time to replace the roof..
3. Lots of Moss
Moss growth on shingles doesnt necessarily mean that shingles are old or worn out, particularly if it is only in one area. Often the affected shingles can be simply cleaned to remove the moss.
4. Shingles Blown Off the Roof
5. Age of Roof
