Sadly, the roof is a largely overlooked component of the home. You probably won’t notice anything happening up there unless it begins to leak or disintegrate and already needs roof repair. However, the National Roofing Contractors Association advises a regular visit by a professional roof inspector twice a year.
Ask a companion or member of your family for assistance if you are terrified of heights and are planning on DIY. Alternatively, a local roofing contractor such as Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park can perform an inspection.
A bi-annual examination should identify minor issues before they grow into leaks or catastrophic roof collapses. The roof needs to be maintained, and visual inspections should be done often. Instead of dealing with a collapsed roof and substantial damage, it is preferable to pay for a minor repair.
Essentially, the core framework has to last for the duration of your home. However, a complete roof replacement may be needed depending on the materials used to cover the roof. Unless the roof is composed of concrete, regular checks for cracks and other damage are all that are necessary. Moreover, tile roofs last a very long time before needing to be completely replaced.
Do you have questions about how often to replace your roof? That depends on a variety of elements, such as:
- What kind of roof do you have?
- How well do you maintain it?
- What kind of weather does it endure?
- Does the roof have unfixed damage?
Regardless, you may find all the information you need in this guide.
We’ll begin by describing the typical lifespan of your roof based on the materials it is built of. Next, we’ll discuss the various elements that can shorten the lifespan of your roof and what it means for you.
Understanding the Average Lifespan of a Roof
It goes without saying that the lifespans of various roof types vary. Therefore, to start, we’ll provide a list of our estimates for average roof life spans based on the type of roofing material used.
Architectural Asphalt Shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles should stay 15 to 20 years under normal conditions before needing a repair. However, due to the asphalt shingles’ design, architectural asphalt shingle roofs are a little more resistant to the weather. These could outlive 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs by up to 10 years.
Furthermore, if you start noticing a lot of granules in your drainage system or on the ground, and missing shingles, then you should think about replacing your roof if it is constructed of asphalt shingles.
Clay/Cement Tile Roofing
One of the top-most durable roofing materials is tile made of clay and concrete. The tiles are heavy in addition to being incredibly robust. This means that your property will be even more protected because they are built on top of extra-durable roofing reinforcement.
Due to these factors, tile roofing is incredibly strong and can survive for 50 to 100 years.
Slate Roofing
The most durable roof you can purchase is slate, by far. It will usually last up to 100 years or more.
Wood Shingles
Typically, wood shingles last 25 to 30 years. However, they need maintenance, which reduces their lifespan.
As an example, if the roof is not kept free of old leaves and new moss growth, they can trap moisture against the roofing, which would promote decay. However, if you carry out the necessary maintenance, your wood shingle roof might last for about 50 years.
Additionally, it is extremely vulnerable to fire damage. Thus, it is dangerous and illegal to install in certain locations, as it can easily go up in flames.
Wood Shakes
Wood shakes are more resistant to elements like UV radiation and severe weather since they are thicker than shingles. These roofs are expected to last 35 to 40 years.
However, once again, maintenance is a consideration. The lifespan of wood roofing is dependent on how well it is maintained.
A Metal Roof
Another very durable option for common metal roofing materials is metal. Steel and aluminum, two popular metal roofing materials, should last for 50 years before you need to replace your roof. Additional types of metal roofing, such as copper and zinc, can last for 100 years or longer.
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Roof Damage That Requires Immediate Attention | Factors That Can Affect Roof Lifespan
As mentioned, unfixed roof damage will worsen quickly. Here are a few common instances of roof damage that, if left unattended, will shorten the expected lifespan of your roof.
Leaks and Holes
Large holes that allow sunlight to shine through them are an early indicator of roof damage. These indicate that your roof will likely need to be replaced very soon.
Even smaller cracks and holes will allow moisture to penetrate. As we previously mentioned, these worsen over time.
It’s time to have your roof inspected if you notice sunlight entering your ceiling through cracks or leaks when it rains (particularly in the attic).
Moisture and Water Stains
Additional moisture or water stains or damage on the roof decking in the attic or on the ceiling are other signs of leaks. You might want to inspect the attic as well because the moisture that is leaking in often soaks into the insulation there. Additionally, you might see puddles in your attic.
Even earlier signs of a leak can be found in a sagging ceiling. In any case, if you see these, have your roof fixed.
Exterior Roof Damage
There are also visible indications of roof damage from the outside. The most obvious ones are shingles that are cracked, rotten, missing, or otherwise damaged.
Additionally, look for any odd-looking spots on your roofing. Roofs are intended to look pleasant, tidy, and uniform.
However, if you can’t safely inspect your roof’s exterior, look at the ground and gutters around your house. You’ll often find pieces of your broken shingles in the gutters and on the ground. Additionally, you should look in these places for any debris that matches your chimney.
The Health of Your Gutters
In general, with regular maintenance, gutters constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel can last up to 20 years, and in certain situations, copper gutters can even survive up to 50 years before needing replacement.
Having said that, leaking gutters don’t necessarily need to be replaced. Instead, a little upkeep will usually be enough. The majority of problems can be prevented by clearing the gutters once or twice a year to keep them clear.
Sagging Roof
When a roof looks wavy or curved rather than straight, it usually indicates a sagging issue. Sagging is a common roofing problem that affects homes with older roofs that haven’t been replaced in a while. Due to the way that older roofs were constructed, they are also a common issue in older homes.
How Extreme Weather Affects Your Roofs
A roof can sustain double the damage from severe weather. It is vulnerable to weather-related damage from many angles, including windstorms, thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, cold temperatures, and extreme heat. The weather will eventually affect a roof no matter where in the country you live.
The Short and Long-Term Consequences of Roof Neglect
Below are some of the examples of short-term and long-term effects of roof neglect:
Short-term:
- Leaks
- Increased energy bills
- Mold
- Pests
Long-term:
- Severe water damage
- Decreased property value
- Increased maintenance costs
Contact Local Roof Replacement Contractors for Inspections
If you’re experiencing any roof leaking holes and sagging roofing material, you should contact a roofing contractor right away in order to prevent any further damage to your roof.
Conclusion
You should now be aware of how often you should replace your roof thanks to the information in this article. Just look at the average lifespan for each roofing material in the previous list. Then, scan your roof for the listed signs of damage.
Of course, for this information to be useful, you’ll still need to know how old your roof is. As a result, you might still have questions.
Do you still have some questions pondering in your mind? If so, contact us at Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park to arrange a free roof inspection for your roof maintenance.
