Having to replace your roof is never a pleasant process. It’s exhausting, laborious, and, most importantly, costly. The less steps you go through, the better. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about how often your roof will need to be replaced. Particularly if you’ve had bad luck in the past.
This blog will start by assisting you in determining when and how often your roof needs replacement. Read on to know the lifespans of the most common roofing materials so you can figure out when it’s time to replace your roof.
How often should you replace your roof based on material
The foundation/roof should survive for the entire life of the house. However, depending on the materials utilized for the roof’s covering, a complete replacement may be required.
Unless the roof is built of concrete, it only needs to be inspected for cracks and other signs of deterioration. Tile roofs are also extremely long-lasting and only require partial replacement every few years. In general, dependent on the material used, the following is the recommended replacement schedule:
- Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years
- Metal Roofs: 50-75 years
- Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years
- Composition Shingles: 12-20 years
- Wood Shingles: 20-25 years
The recommended time frames will vary based on the climate in which the roof is located. Severe winters and high humidity might cause the materials to deteriorate more quickly.
It’s a good idea to get on the roof after a major storm or heavy winds to inspect for damage. Keep an eye on your roof because it provides crucial defense for your home and belongings, so make sure it is in good shape.
Factors Affecting Roof Durability
Aside from the materials used, your roof’s lifespan is influenced by factors such as upkeep and weather. For example, some weather conditions might cause wood shingles to mildew and/or fracture more quickly. Even the most durable metal roofs can experience sealant degradation over time.
Furthermore, asphalt shingles are quite light and may fall free more frequently in areas with frequent high winds. Windy locations with a lot of foliage can potentially cause damage to the roof by knocking trees or tree branches into it.
Besides, if such damage is not addressed quickly enough, it will rapidly worsen. A minor fracture in the roofing material might allow moisture to seep through.
Temperature variations cause it to expand and compress, causing the break to broaden. As a result, roof installation by a reputable roofing company is critical for extending the life of your roof, regardless of its material.
Signs that show you need roof replacement
Most people don’t give much thought to the roof over their heads…until it leaks! Don’t put off paying attention to your roof until it’s leaking through the roof and you have to take out the buckets.
Water & moisture stains/damage
Water stains/damage or excess moistness or on your roof decking in the attic or on the ceiling are also signs of a leak. Moisture coming in can often soak into the attic insulation, so you should check there as well. Puddles may also appear in your attic.
You most likely have a leak if you see brown or yellowish circular streaks on your ceiling. This is also true if your walls have brown or yellowish stains. Rainwater with dirt or rubbles that leaks through to the surface of your ceiling or walls causes this discoloration.
A drooping ceiling is an indication of a more extensive leak. In any event, if you detect these indicators, have your leak roof repair by a professional roofing service.
Growth of weeds and unwanted plants
Moss looks lovely in a shady area of your yard, but it’s a disaster on a roof. Moss (as well as mold and fungi) signal that there is moisture trapped beneath the surface, which can cause a roof to rot. Use a hard brush to remove moss from your roof’s shady corners, but be sure to treat any underlying issues first.
Failing prematurely
Your roofing materials should last for as long as the manufacturer says they should. However, there are times when your roof collapses prematurely, necessitating a roof replacement well before it is required.
Improper roof installation and insufficient attic ventilation are two prominent reasons of premature roof failure. You’ll find shingles in your yard or entire portions of your roof falling off if your roof wasn’t installed utilizing proper roofing techniques.
If your attic isn’t properly vented, the damage caused by trapped heat and cold will drastically reduce the lifespan of your roof.
The manufacturer’s guarantee on your roofing supplies will be nulled if your roof isn’t properly vented or installed. To replace your prematurely failed roof, you’ll have to rely on your contractor’s workmanship warranty.
Clear signs of decay
A droopy, sagging roof should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your property. As mentioned before, look for evidence of trapped moisture, decaying boards, or drooping places on the roof’s surface, particularly at the lowest points.
A flat roof should appear solid in general, so any sagging is a clear indication that something is wrong, possibly wear and strain. Sagging frequently indicates a structural concern, such as foundational support or attic issues. While this does not necessarily indicate that you or your home are in imminent danger of a ceiling collapse, it is something you should address as soon as possible. It’s much easier to deal with a tiny, isolated problem than it is to deal with a bigger issue that could extend throughout the roof’s foundation. So, get help from the best roof installation company.
It is shedding pieces
Price/granules formed from crushed minerals are used in asphalt shingles. These granules not only allow for a variety of asphalt colors, forms, and sizes, but they also shield the asphalt layer from the sun.
If you’ve recently built a new roof, some loose granules are to be expected. However, if your shingles are older and shedding their granules, you could be in for some issues. Your shingles will gradually decay if you don’t replace those granules. If you detect additional granules in the gutter or that the granules are shedding in any other way, you should get your roof evaluated.
Final thoughts
Now, you can easily know how often you need to replace your roof based on the information in this blog. Simply look up the average lifespan for each roofing material above. Then, on your roof, search for the identified indicators of deterioration.
Naturally, you’ll need to know the age of your roof in order for this information to be useful. As a result, you can have additional inquiries. Do you have any questions about how often you should replace your roof? If that’s the case, contact professional roofing services right away.
