Roofs are one of the most important parts of a building. Not only do they act as the protective barrier between our interior and the outside world, but they also help with insulation and ventilation. Sadly, roofs wear out and need to be replaced every 15-25 years, which can be expensive to say the least. That’s why we’ve put together this post on roof replacement – so you know what to look for in order to ensure you’re making a sound investment!
We’ll cover products, options, pricing strategies and more in this post; you’ll learn about everything from how much it costs for a new roof for your home or business to how often roofs should be replaced. Keep reading to get all the details.
To make a more sound investment in your roofing materials, read our post on how to select the right roofing shingles for your home or business. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of different types of shingles, how they should be installed and how they age, as well as other important information you should know before making a purchase.
Does Your Roof Need Replacing?
Before you get down to business and start planning your roof replacement, you’ll want to do a little research. You may even want to do a little surveying first, in order to determine if your roofing materials are in good condition or if they need replacing in the first place. Why? Because it can be difficult to tell before you start tearing up the old roof and installing the new one – so let’s look at some basic things to keep in mind before starting any kind of renovation project around there. Here are 5 signs that it is time to replace your roof:
1. Your roof is over 15 years old
Your roof is the most important safety feature in your home, so naturally you want to make sure it’s in good condition before any kind of renovation project. If you’re unsure about your shingles, give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to take a look at them for you – but if your home is 15 years old or older, it’s a good idea to get started with the process of finding out what type of roof will work best for you and your home. Shingles only last about 20 years, so if yours are older than that, you need to be thinking about having them replaced by a professional as soon as humanly possible.
2. Your roof is leaking
If your roof is leaking – especially if the leaks are coming from around your chimneys and gutters – it’s a good idea to have an expert inspect the problem before you start tearing up the old roof and putting in the materials for a brand new one. If that’s not enough, you should also make sure that your gutters are in good working order and that any damaged shingles aren’t falling off of your home completely. If these two problems seem to be more serious than just a simple leak, then it’s probably time to replace your roofing materials – no matter how old they are!
3. Your roofing materials are rotting
It can be difficult to tell when your shingles or other materials are rotting, but if you’re having a problem with leaking and suspect that the problem might be rot, then it’s definitely time to consider replacing your roof. Rot is a serious issue for any kind of renovation project because the rotting wood or other materials can spread throughout the structure of your home, causing significant damage along the way. As long as rot is an issue with your current roof, you should replace it as soon as possible.
4. Your roof is full of holes
It’s also a good idea to replace your roof if you have holes in it that are larger than an inch in diameter. A hole in your roof isn’t dangerous, but it can cause serious problems if it falls through and into your home or business. Also, if you’re replacing something as important as a roof and then your shingles are falling off, that’s another sign of rot – so don’t lose out on a bill for materials and repairs!
5. Your roof is leaking around your chimneys and gutters
Finally, it’s also a good idea to have your roof repaired if water is pooling around your chimneys or gutters. This can happen over time from any number of things, but if you’re trying to avoid a leaky roof by not paying attention to leaks and damage, it can be very easy for the problem to continue on. Even if the leak isn’t in your immediate area yet, it’s always best to have the problem corrected earlier rather than later so that you don’t incur additional expenses for repairs and replacements once the damage has already been done.
Conclusion
If your roof is in good condition and looks like it potentially will continue to be in good condition, then you definitely don’t need to replace it right now. But if one of the previous signs applies to you, or your home or business is at least 15 years old and has a roof that’s either in bad shape or showing signs of rot, then you might want to make some changes sooner rather than later. If a new roof proves to be an excellent investment for your business and/or home, then you’ll probably want to replace it every 5-10 years.