How Is The Remaining Life Of A Roof Calculated
One common method is to divide the number of years the roof has been in service by the estimated service life of the roof. This will give you the percentage of the roofs life that has elapsed. For example, if a roof is 20 years old and has an estimated service life of 40 years, the roof has 50% of its life remaining.
Moss Mold Or Fungi Have Taken Over
Moss, mold and fungi indicate trapped moisture, which can ruin a roof. To do away with moss that collects in shaded corners of your roof, use a stiff brush but be careful to address any underlying problems. If obvious moss remains after brushing, contact a professional to get the roof properly inspected.
Is It Time To Replace Your Roof
How often to replace a roof depends on your roofing materials, their age, and whether there is any external damage. Luckily, when to replace roofing materials can be a long time off with regular check-ups and professional inspections.
A to Z Construction covers all your roofing needs. If you need an inspection or a replacement, we can take care of you and your roof with no problem. Contact us today for a free roofing estimate for your replacement project.
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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.
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
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When To Replace A Natural Slate Roof
Natural roofing slates, like clay roof tiles, have very long lifespans with many roof slates from leading manufacturers such as SSQ, currently being offered with guarantees between 75 years and 100 years.
Older slates – particularly Welsh slates can often last in excess of 200 years, and are relatively unaffected by the weather – after all they have survived millions of years underground before being quarried and shaped into roofing slates!
However, when roof slates start to delaminate or crack – often as a result of frost damage – this should be seen as a clear sign to replace them.
Usually just replacing the cracked slates is just a temporary solution, as usually they all fail at a similar time, so cracking and delaminating should be seen as an indicator that the roof will need to be replaced.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Roofing Options
There are a lot of other aesthetic roofing options to choose from too. Metal is an ideal and durable material for roofing, metal is recyclable and long-lasting and a current growing trend is of installing in metal shingles. For people who prefer a shingle look this is a good alternative as metal is lighter and metal shingles are a two in one option, you can get a shingle look and a durable product in one go.
Another benefit of metal shingles is that they are insulating as well. Metal shingles installation is with an airspace between the roof and the deck that acts as a thermal break and reduces the absorption of heat into the attic.
Steel metal shingles are another option that you can use. Steel metal shingles are made from steel that has zinc or an aluminium metallic coating on the top of carbon steel. This coating prevents the steel from corrosion and rusting. Manufacturers also add a paint finish on top for added protection.
Asphalt shingles are another cost-effective and durable option that can be used. Asphalt shingles give the home an aesthetic and durable look. Recently manufacturers have worked toward improving asphalt shingles making them effective against wind water and solar damage. Modern-day asphalt shingles have a fibreglass core with a layer of adhesive to keep the shingles in place. The top layer has crushed stone, Quartz for a more solid colour.
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How Long Will Your Roof Last
As a general rule, the 25 30 year benchmark works. If your roof is that old, its likely that it wil need replacement soon enough. Some might even need a full roof replacement earlier.
However, that figure doesnt tell the full story. As we said above, there are many variables to consider. One important variable is the materials used on your roof both the actual material and the quality of it.
Typically, the 25 30 year rule extends to roof with composite or asphalt shingles. These materials are very popular because theyre affordable and come in many different options. However, not everyone uses these materials for their roofs, So the timing for replacement can vary.
As youll see in the chart below, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors gives different life expectancy for chosen materials.
Asphalt shingles, according to this chart, last for about 20 years before replacement. You also have to consider what manufacturer you use and the quality of the shingles. This is one of the many reasons we offer Certainteed Shingles to homeowners. Quality and advanced protection go a long way to save money.
Overall, there are many different answers to how often roofs need to be replaced. If youre wondering about your roof, our best suggestion is to schedule a home inspection.
That said, there are warning signs you need to be aware of. Below, weve listed out ways you can tell if your roof needs to be replaced or repaired in the near future.
Signs That Your Roof Needs To Be Replaced
Inspecting your roof can be easily done with the help of a flashlight as you safely climb atop your roof. To determine whether your roof needs to be replaced, you should check for signs of:
- Sagging in the roof deck
- Leaking/water damage
- Missing shingles
- Mold, rot, or moisture
If youre seeing any of these signs, its likely that your roof does indeed need to be replaced. At times like these, it also helps to have a firm grasp of the expected lifespan of your roofing materials. Information on residential and commercial roofing material life expectancies can be found in the previous chapters. You can also consult your roofing contractor or manufacturer directly for further detail.
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Signs Your Roof Needs Repairs
- Leaking there could be a number of reasons why your roof is leaking tiles missing, cracks in the felt due to sun exposure drying it out holes around the chimney.
- Peeling exterior paint.
- Shingles that are curled or cracked.
- Shingles that are dark in colour.
- Dirty shingles or shingles that look permanently wet.
- Water stains on interior walls and ceilings .
If the points listed above are left for some time, your signs of roof repairs will become warning signs that you need a new roof. A new roof takes a few weeks to do and is a costly venture. Wed always advise that you sort out any repairs that are needed as quickly as you can. You may not be able to remove the need for a new roof entirely, but you can delay it by carrying out general repairs.
Types Of Roofing Materials
What type of roofing material does your home have? This is the first question you must ask if you want to know when you need to think about replacing your roof. If you dont know and arent sure, you can call in an expert roof inspectorwhich you should anyway!
Having your roof inspected will extend its lifetime, and you can put off having it replaced in its entirety for a while longer. Also, you can check out your roof for warning signs to see if it might be at the end of its lifespan, which well get to next.
What type of material is your roof comprised of? Composition shingles that make up a roof will last about 12-20 years, while asphalt, one of the most popular roofing materials, will last a little longer, about 15-30 years. Surprisingly, wood shingles last about 20-25 years, and finally, metal roofs hang around for 50-75 years.
Perhaps youre unsure of what material your roof is, but there is a way to check to see when the roof was replaced last. Real estate websites that once listed your home for sale, like Zillow or Realtor, often indicate specifications like the year when the roof was last updated.
Orif you can, ask the previous homeowner, or check the documents of your house sale to see if the information is listed there. Of course, a new roof is a major selling point for homeowners, and if it was replaced recently, this will be listed somewhere.
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Average Lifespan Of A Roofing Material
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles have a lifespan that ranges from 15 to 20 years. However, some types, such as architectural asphalt, are superior and will last longer. Their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions can give them an additional 10 years compared to 3-tab shingles.
Clay/Cement Tile Roofing
Concrete or clay tiles are some of the most durable roofing materials in the current market because they can withstand natural elements without wearing off easily. On the downside, they are very heavy, which makes installation a little challenging. It also means the roof must be reinforced before the installation of the tiles.
However, the additional sturdiness helps protect the roof further. Their lifespan ranges between 50 to 100 years.
Slate Roofing
Slate roofing is the most long-lasting option out of all roofing types. It can go up to 125 years without needing replacement. If climatic conditions are adverse, the slate will last 100 years.
Wood Shingles
If you have wood shingles, expect them to last for at least 15 years and at most 30 years. The longevity will depend on the maintenance routines because these roofing materials cannot remain sturdy without being tended to. You have to clean the roof regularly to remove debris and moss that could accumulate moisture and cause the roof to decay. Wood shingles are also susceptible to fire damage.
With regular maintenance and fire-resistant coating, these roofing materials can last up to 50 years or more.
Wood Shakes
What Else Affects The Lifespan Of Your Roof
We have already established that the materials used will be the main factor affecting how long your roof will last before it needs to be replaced, but what are the things that could make your roof wear out faster than it should? The simple answer to this question is the weather and a lack of maintenance.
If you, like most people in the world, live in an area that receives its fair share of harsh weather, be it very hot sun, torrential rain, hail, gale-force winds, or heavy snow, you should be aware that any of these conditions can put a strain on your roof.
Moisture followed by the hot sun may cause drying and cracking of timber roofs, or allow mold to grow in areas that dont dry out properly. Asphalt shingles are easily affected by the weather, since they are so lightweight, and can be knocked loose or lifted by heavy winds. They are also very susceptible to hail damage, as individual grains of asphalt can be broken off, damaging the overall structure of the shingle.
Metal roofs are extremely resilient but are coated with a layer of sealant to prevent oxidization. This layer can be eroded off over time, leaving the metal vulnerable to the elements. Continuous exposure to high winds can cause the metal plates to lift and shift, causing the roofing nails to widen their holes, allowing the plates to eventually come loose.
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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.
Get Multiple Opinions On What Your Asphalt Roof Needs
Before you replace your roof, its crucial to get multiple opinions. When a roofing salesman comes to your home, their job is to sell you a roof.
Thats why the first thing you should do after getting one roofing estimate is to get another. For example, if one contractor says you need a full roof replacement but three others say you just need repairs, then your roof probably only needs repairs.
Read this article on whether you should repair or replace to learn more about if your roof just needs repairs or a complete replacement.
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Missing Shingles Or Granules
In Florida, strong thunderstorms and hurricanes put a lot of strain on roofs. The extremely high winds often cause shingles to lift or fly off completely. Sometimes you can replace a shingle or two, but the potential for repair depends on the missing shingles location and the condition of those surrounding it.
Spots Of Light In The Attic
If you see spots of light shining through the attic, you should definitely get your roof checked soon. Noticeable light spots in the attic mean holes in the roof that will likely let in water, snow, cold air, and potentially wayward pests. If you do find any light leaks, keep a careful eye on them during the next few rainfalls. If the holes warp or change size, you may have an actively leaking roof on your hands.
Thankfully, not all holes are a huge issue. Smaller leaks can easily be patched without needing to replace the entire roof. However, larger leaks, especially those that involve structural damage to older roofs, may require more extensive repairs.
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How Often Do Roofs Need To Be Replaced
If youve done just a little digging into this question, youve probably come across the 25-30 year rule for replacing your roof. That figure is used as a benchmark. Most residential roofs need replacing within that window. However, there are quite a few variables to consider and not any roof is the same.
Your roof takes a lot of external wear and tear throughout each passing year. Sunlight, snow accumulation, strong winds, debris, rodents, hurricanes, or extreme weather conditions all of these have an impact on a roofs lifetime. How often your roof needs to be replaced depends on several factors:
- Keeping pests and rodents away
- External debris accumulation
In New England, our roofs experience all four seasons and the external beating that comes with them. So its important to keep up with maintenance and schedule regular roof inspections.
Curled Shingles And Bald Spots
Shingles can curl in two ways cupping, when the edges turn upward, or clawing, when edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. Both could indicate that:
- Moisture has built up underneath the shingles due to poor ventilation in the attic
- Shingles were improperly installed
- Old age and wear from direct sunlight and weathering
Bald spots on your shingles mean that the granules have started to fall off and expose the asphalt underneath. Tip: look in your gutter for shingles granules. If rain carries them into your gutters, its likely your roof needs replacement.
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