The roof is one of the most important parts of a house that homeowners may take for granted until they spot a roof leak or some damaged shingles. It’s easy to forget about your roof for a while because most roofs are designed to last for decades. Still, you need to know when it’s time for a new roofing job to replace your roof.
Here are three signs that it’s time to replace your roof.
1. Your Roof Has Exceeded its Lifespan
While most roofs will last for a couple of decades, you may have to replace some sooner. It’s normal for roofs to have wear and tear after 20 or 30 years, but the depreciation rate depends on the type of roofing materials used. Slate, clay, and concrete roofs will last beyond the century mark with little repair and maintenance required. A 3-tab shingle roof can last for about 20 to 25 years before replacement is required.
The top roofing companies will tell you the lifespan of your roof so you know when roof replacement is due. A good Maryland roofing company will advise you on a roof replacement schedule guided by the type of roofing material your roof is made of. Composition shingles may need replacement within 12 to 20 years, asphalt shingles may need replacement within 15 to 30 years, and wood shingles may need replacement within 20 to 25 years. Rubber roofs are more long-lasting and may need replacement within 30 to 50 years. On the higher end are metal roofs with a lifespan of 50 to 75 years.
As a rule of thumb, if you start having roof problems such as leakages when your roof is near or beyond the manufacturer-recommended lifespan, then you’re better off conducting an entire replacement. Any worthy roofer will tell you that it’s more effective and affordable to replace an old roof than conduct multiple repairs.
2. Missing, Cracked, or Damaged Shingles
At least once a year, you should have a roofing company clean your roof extensively. The top roofers agree that regular maintenance prolongs the service life of your roof. It’s during roof cleaning that contractors will notice any defects on your roof. Being professional roofers, they’re best placed to advise you whether you should repair or replace your roof. Generally, if you’re making the second or third shingle repair on your roof, you may be better off conducting an extensive roof replacement.
You may want to have your roof inspected after experiencing harsh weather conditions such as storms and hurricanes. If you fail to replace a damaged roof in good time, it may affect your house’s overall structural integrity. It’s important to have your roof regularly inspected by experienced roofers so they can spot roof damage in good time.
3. When You’re Planning a Whole House Renovation Project
Your roof influences the curb appeal of your home in a big way. Depending on your house’s design, the roof may be the foremost part of your home that guests first see when visiting your home. As a Maryland home improvement contractor will tell you, a whole-house renovation looks better with a new roof. Therefore, when you’re looking to conduct extensive renovations on your home, you may want a roofing company to replace your roof too. This will make it look uniform and in sync with your home’s new look. Even better, you may choose to upgrade your roof and have a new type made from more durable roofing materials, such as slate.
Don’t be like the typical American homeowner who ignores the roof until some major defects begin to show. You should schedule regular roof cleaning and maintenance at least once a year or shortly after a rough storm, hurricane, or tornado. Although most roofing materials are designed to serve you for the long-term, you should check for signs that indicate that it’s time for a new roof. If your roof is nearing its recommended service-life, or you begin to spot roof leakages, call a roofing company to install a new roof on your home.