How Often Should You Replace Your Roof Shingles
- When we see any sign of damage in our roof, we have to take immediate action for seeping water under the shingles.
- If you ignore it then the problem grows more and permanently damages your roof shingles.
- When your roof is becoming more than 20 years old and the shingles of the roof most are damaged then you have to replace it immediately.
- The most important thing is if the roof is basically sound and relatively shallow then it helps to work comfortably.
- On below have some common steps, for replacing your roof shingles.
How Long Does A Slate Roof Last
Like a cedar shake roof, a slate roof is made primarily out of natural materials.
As long as your slate roof is properly installed and flashed properly, itll be the last roof you ever put on your home. Its hard to put an exact number on a slate roofs lifespan, but theres no reason it shouldnt last around 75 years or even close to 100.
We even like to say your grandkids wont have to worry about it. If youre looking for a forever material that wont need to be replaced in your lifetime, a slate roof is a great option.
Just like a cedar shake roof, theres no manufacturer warranty on the slate materials themselves if they fail prematurely.
What Happens If You Dont Replace Your Roof
Worst case scenario, severe failure to replace your roof when it is long past overdue can result in the complete collapse of the structure. However, before this occurs, failure to replace the roof when it needs doing can cause further damages to both the roof itself and other parts of your property. If part of the roof collapses and damages the structure below, you will have to pay for parts of that to be replaced too. If leaking causes damp damages to your walls, ceilings, furniture, etc, you will have to pay to have them fixed/replaced as well as the roof. You may also find that your house price drops if your roof is in dire need of repair during your sales period due to this being what everyone looks at.
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Early Signs To Look Out For
The roofing area is not something that you can always easily see, and so its important to do some checks every so often. Unless you have the experience, you shouldnt really be attempting to climb any ladders. There are some early signs that are worth looking out for though when it comes to replacing your roof.
Water Damage This is often the most apparent as its likely to leak through your ceilings. If you see this, then explore your attic area to find the leak and temporarily block it off while waiting for the professionals.
Light If you see any leak peaking through your roof from the inside, thats a sure sign that you have a compromised roof. You shouldnt see any light leaking through your attic roof.
Ageing For some roofing, you might not know necessarily when the roof was last replaced, and so its good to keep an eye on how the roof looks. If it looks like its aged quite a bit and youve been living in the property for many years already, you might want to look at getting it replaced.
Falling Debris As well as being an obvious sign, its one that can be very dangerous to you and your household. You dont want to be in the area when a piece of tile or debris falls off the roof. That could end up causing more damage than its worth to both you and your property. Take this as a sure-fire sign that you need to replace your roofing to some degree.
Understanding The Cost Of A New Roof In Maryland
So why does a new roof cost so much? Somehow, it never seems like it should be as much as it is. Roofing, however, has a lot of expenses and cost factors that dont seem evident at first until you do a dive into what all goes into a roofing project, installation, or repair.
Right off the bat, you have the cost of materials. Quality roofers like to ensure they use quality materials, for a long-lasting roof installation that provides secure weather protection. The materials your roofer uses will not always be the materials you can get from your local hardware store, which is why the cost estimate wont always be equal.
Your roofers estimate will also include the cost of disposing of all the old roofing materials. Think about the weight and the number of old shingles that need to be removed and then disposed of your roofer has already factored this in for easy disposal and clean up.
A Maryland roofing company will also need to cover the price of labor, insurance, workers comp coverage, warranties, and more. A professional roofing company has overhead expenses they need to cover, all of which bring you better service a roofing company with a dedicated administrative staff, office, and reliable insurance coverage provides you better customer service and longer-lasting protection.
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First Step: Know Your Roofing Materials
The material that your roof is made of plays a large role in how long it will last. Some materials are more durable than others, allowing them to better withstand the rigors of torrential downpours, debris from high winds, and sizzling heatwaves.
Asphalt shingles and composite roofs are the most common materials and tend to also last the least amount of time before requiring a replacement. Fiber cement shingles will last a little longer at about 25 years. Wood shake roofs should last up to 30 years. The most durable roofs tend to be slate roofs, roof tiles, and any sort of metal roofing, like copper. These are estimated to last up to 50 years without requiring replacement.
This can be good to keep in mind when getting a new roof installed. You may want to invest in a slightly more expensive roofing material to forego frequent roofing repairs caused by unexpected weather conditions.
Missing Loose Or Cracked Shingles
The issue with most roofs is that theyre ignored and out of sight. You dont usually take a good look unless there is a stain or dark spot viewable from the street or yard.
Old or worn shingles are fairly easy to spot if you search for them. Missing shingles may be replaced individually, but its usually a sign of the bigger issue. Large areas of cracked or loose shingles indicate that your roof needs replacement.
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Be Prepared For Small Roof Repairs
It is important that you have all of your roofing material in order before you do any roofing repairs. This way, you can check for any broken shingles or tiles and make sure that you are replacing them before you proceed. You should also have the materials necessary to lay down the new roof. If you dont, then you should call a professional roofing contractor or company and have them help you install the new roof.
Your Roof’s 25th Birthday Is Approaching
“An asphalt shingle roof should last between 20 and 30 years,” says Claude McGavic, executive director of The National Association of Home Inspectors. “If you have a 40-year-old roof,there could be a problem even if it looks good from the ground.”
How much time you’ve got left: Five to 10 years, depending on your roof’s condition. If you live in a development and your neighbors are all starting to replace their roofing, that could be a sign that you should do the same.
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Entire Shingles Are Missing
From a functional standpoint, there should be no problem with just replacing a few shingles here and there. “What you do need to be prepared for is the fact that it’s just about impossible to get a new shingle to match the color of an old one,” says Graham. “Granule colors have changed pretty significantly over the years. Plus, the colors change slightly with weathering.”
How much time you’ve got left: You can keep patching until a bigger issue presents itself, but if a roof starts to look like a checkerboard, people often opt to replace the whole thing.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Damaged Shingles
Most homeowners spend between $300 and $1,200 for a roof repair, or an average of $650-$850 per repair call. Typically, a job is to repair leaks. Seal the leak, replace shingles, seal the shingles. If there is a small area and few shingles being repaired, it will likely be on the low end, or as little as $150.
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How Often Should You Have Your Roof Inspected
In Oklahoma, it is best tohave a roof inspection once a year. That way, youll be able to catch stormdamage before it becomes a bigger and more expensive problem. In fact, someroof warranties requireyearly inspectionsby certified roofingcontractors.
Dont let this scare you, though. There are sure to be contractorsin your area who will inspect your roof for free!
Red River Roofing andConstruction has been in the business for over 22 years. In this time, weveserviced over 16,000 properties in Oklahoma. Whats more? We offer free homeinspections!
Not only do we survey the inside and outside of your roof, we alsotake a look at your siding, windows, doors, and insulation to make sure thatyou have the most energy efficient and beautiful home you can have.
We followit all up with a free, no-obligation consultation so that youll know the beststeps to take in order to keep your home healthy.
276-4334
Signs Your Roof Needs To Be Replaced
Sometimes your roof will need to be replaced prematurely. Besides what its made of, the lifespan of your roof will also depend on things like weather and maintenance. Your roof can begin to show signs that it needs to be replaced.
Holes and Leaks
If your roof has holes big enough to see sunlight shining through, it may be time to have your roof replaced. Even if the hole isnt big enough to see sunlight, small cracks and holes still allow moisture inside your home and can negatively affect your roof.
Moisture Stains/Damage
Have you noticed stains on your walls or ceilings? It can mean that your roof is significantly damaged and will need to be replaced soon. Puddles in your attic are also a good indication that your roof needs to be replaced.
Exterior Roof Damage
Sometimes you can tell from your roofs exterior that it needs to be replaced. Cracked, rotten, missing, or otherwise damaged shingles are all indicators that your roof should be replaced.
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Average Life Of A Roof
How long your roof lasts will primarily depend on the type of roof you own and how well you maintained it over the years. Common three-tab asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing options. However, this affordability comes at a price a reduced lifespan. Most roofs with asphalt shingles will last an estimated 15 to 20 years. You can expect architectural asphalt shingles to last a bit longer at an average of 25 to 30 years. Galvalume or metal roofing materials have an estimated lifespan of 30 to 45 years, and concrete tile generally lasts between 30 and 50 years.
Other factors can also impact the lifespan of your roof, such as the color, orientation, and slope of your roof. Darker-colored roofs typically absorb more heat than lighter-colored roofs. If the person lives in a warm climate with lots of sun, their roof may need to be replaced more often. If your roof has a slope that faces south, the sun will have a bigger impact which causes a reduction in the lifespan of the roof. Also consider the pitch of the roof. Roofs that have a high pitch will generally last longer as rain and snow are not able to settle as easily.
Understanding How Often Should You Replace Your Roof
A sturdy roof means good protection for you and your family, so its essential to understand the answer to how often should you replace your roof?
Start by looking for signs of damage internally and externally. If you arent noticing any obvious signs of damage, consider the material used on your roof. Do you have asphalt shingles that will last around 15 years or do you have a clay roof that will last much longer?
These steps will help answer the question, does my roof need to be replaced?
If you think it might be time to pursue roof replacement, contact us today for your free assessment.
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Consider The Type Of Roof
One of the first things to consider when asking, does my roof need to be replaced, is the type of roof you have. This is because the different roof types have different lifespans and different levels of upkeep. There are many different types of roof replacement options available including asphalt shingles, wood shingles, metal roofing, and others.
One of the less costly options is asphalt shingles. These need replacing every 15 to 20 years. However, if you opt for architectural asphalt shingles, you could get up to 30 years out of your shingles.
If you are looking for something that will last longer, consider clay or cement tiles. These last significantly longer at 50-100 years due to their durability.
One of the most costly options, but the most durable is slate roofing. It is incredibly strong and resistant to the elements. Plus, it can last for over 100 years in most cases.
Start Budgeting For Your Asphalt Roof Replacement
A roof replacement is an investment. And just like every other investment, its not cheap.
If your roof is 15 years old, youre going to need to replace it in 5-8 years. So start budgeting for it now. roof replacement estimate just so youll have an idea about how much you need to save when the time comes.
The numbers wont be the same because of the fluctuation of roofing material prices, but youll have an idea so you can start budgeting.
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Do I Need To Replace My Roof
If you know when your roof was installed and the material falls within the normal lifespan, likely not unless youre experiencing specific issues. That being said, if you are nearing the end of that lifespan or an in-place warranty is due to expire, its a smart move to schedule a full roof assessment.
In addition to regular visual inspections as you walk around your house or in your attic, its best to have a roofing company inspect, repair, and maintain your roof at least every other year. If your home is in an area with extreme weather or a great deal of direct sunlight and high temperatures, an annual checkup is an even better idea.
Appearance Of Mold Or Rot
If you spot green spots or dark black wet areas, your roofs lifespan may be coming to an end. Biannual inspections of your roof are important to detect mold or rot that you may not detect right away. Mold or rot could lead to damage of the home including internal leaks and lack of support. If youre unfamiliar with what molding or rotting may look on your specific home, contact Preman Roofing, where a roofing specialist will get you the answers you need to protect your home or commercial building.
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Moisture And Water Stains/damage
Other indications of leaks include excess moisture or water stains/damage on the roof decking in the attic or on the ceiling. Often, the moisture leaking in can soak into the insulation in the attic so you may want to check there, too. You might also notice puddles in your attic.
If your ceiling has brown or yellowish, circular stains, you probably have a leak. Thats also true if you have brown or yellowish streaks on your walls. This discoloration is caused by rainwater carrying dirt or other debris that leaks all the way through to the surface of your ceiling or walls.
A sagging ceiling is an even more advanced sign of a leak. In any case, get your roof fixed if you notice these signs.
Take Note Of Any Interior Damage Signs
Knowing how often you should replace your roof is dependent on knowing what to look for. When examining a roof’s exterior, the necessity for replacement isn’t always apparent. It’s also possible to discover interior deterioration before discovering exterior damage.
To some degree, damaged or worn roofs may be exposed to the elements. This means that water may seep beneath your roof tiles over time.
The easiest method to identify this is to look for discoloration on your ceiling. Brown or yellowish stains will show where the water puddles in severe cases. The roof may even droop in more extreme situations.
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The Homeowners Guide To Checking For Roof Damage
Age
Whats the age of your roof? Roofs last, on average, between 20 25 years. Different materials can range with their lifespans, but a couple of decades is the general rule of thumb. Consult your records to determine the age of your roof, and if youre past 20 years, consult with a local professional roofing company about your plan for the next few years. If your roof was installed before you bought the home and it looks like it may be a DIY job, call a professional roofer in Montgomery County around 10 or 15 years to be safe.
Curled Shingles
Inspect the shingles on your roof are they curled? Curling shingles indicate problems under the shingles, which can put you at risk of leaks or other damage. Curled shingles are also more likely to get ripped away by high Maryland winds. Although you may feel an impulse to replace curled shingles yourself, a professional roofing company will be able to give you a better idea of the underlying condition during a free roof estimate. Sometimes, curling shingles are an indicator that the roof was installed improperly, and you will need an entire roof replacement vs a roof repair.
Missing Shingles
Leaks or Sunlight in the Attic
Flashing Status
Sags
Moss on the Roof
Check Your Gutters
Roof Valley Integrity
Increase in Energy Bills
