No matter how thick and sturdy your roof is, it will eventually wear out. You just have to know when and how to go about the replacement. Take your time though, when planning your roof replacement project, as it may cost a lot of money. Depending on your contractor, it can disrupt your day-to-day activities as well. Trusted companies like Muller Exteriors, however, engage methods that enable their team to finish each project without ever having to enter their client’s home.
Right now, let’s focus on determining the useful life of each roof type and identifying red flags that lead to roof replacement. This way, you can better prepare for the roof replacement project and make the right decisions from start to finish.
Functional Life of Roofs Based on Material
A roof’s lifespan may vary according to the material it’s made of. Those that last longer are usually pricier. Long lifespan, however, doesn’t guarantee aesthetic appeal as some less expensive materials look more elegant than the expensive ones. It’s no wonder many homeowners are willing to compromise. Here’s a list of popular roof types and their lifespans.
- Wood shakes and shingles
- – Anything organic is bound to have a short lifespan unless kept well. Wood shakes and shingles have a useful life of about 15 to 20 years, which can be prolonged with proper maintenance.
- Asphalt shingles
- – The most widely used among all roof types, asphalt shingles can last from 10 to 30 years depending on several factors, including climate, material quality, installation, and maintenance.
- Metal
- – Easy to install, flexible, and modern-looking, metal roofing is fast becoming all the rage on the market. It has a lifespan of 50 years, give or take, which can only be maximized through constant repainting.
- Tiles
- – This ceramic-based material is perhaps the only roof type that can rival slate in terms of durability. It can last for over 50 years even with minimal maintenance. That’s because tiles are naturally resistant to the elements. Even strong acids won’t work on them.
- Slate
- – Not very many houses have slate roofing, and for good reasons. It can last up to a hundred years, but having said that, it’s also very expensive. Slate is quite heavy, too, so the roofing system where it will be laid on must be well supported.
Signs That It’s Roof Replacement Time
While aging is certainly a contributing factor to a roof’s deterioration, there are many other factors that can be at play. Identifying them makes it easy for you to determine if it’s time to replace a roof. Here are some signs that you need to watch out for.
- Curling on multiple places
- – After being exposed to the elements for many years, asphalt shingles will start curling or buckling. But this can also be caused by poor installation or low-quality materials. Regardless of the root cause, if you see curled shingles in different areas on your roof, it’s a telltale sign that your roof must be replaced soon.
- Granule-filled gutter
- – If there’s anything you’d expect to find in your roof gutter apart from rainwater, it’s debris from nearby trees and structures. So, if you find a buildup of granules instead, don’t ignore it. Those granules were once the protective layer of the asphalt shingles that make up your roof. Now that they’re almost completely depleted, it won’t take long before your shingles become totally useless.
- Sagging roof deck
- – A depression forming on your roof indicates that the underlying support is crumbling. This major problem can only be fixed by revamping the affected area or replacing the roof altogether.
- Leak everywhere
- – Have you found yourself always running for buckets whenever it’s raining? That situation is only going to get worse if you don’t fix the sources of leak on your roof. Especially if you’re dealing with more than one leak, you might be looking at the need for immediate roof replacement.
- Increasing electricity bills
- – The roof normally gets too hot during the day and too cold at night. If your attic isn’t well insulated, the temperature of your roof can easily radiate into your home, forcing your HVAC system to work harder than usual. This leads to higher electricity bills. Apparently, your broken or poorly installed roof vent is to blame, in which case, you might need to consider a total roof replacement.
What is the best time of year for roof replacement?
Major construction work, such as roof replacement can be invasive as it involves exposing portions of a building’s interior for a certain period. This is why it is vital for a roof replacement project to be conducted at a time when good weather is expected to last for at least a day or two.
Certainly, winter is out of the question, and for good reasons. Apart from the fact that it’s uncomfortable even for experienced roofers to work when temperatures are around zero degrees, the cold also affects that quality of roofing materials. Better postpone your plans to springtime when all the snow is gone and the ground has started drying up.
Early summer may also be a great time for roof repair and replacement but don’t wait until temperature reaches its peak. Like winter cold, summer heat can also make the work environment uncomfortable and unsafe for roofers. The best time of year for roof replacement, therefore, is autumn. Temperatures during this don’t go over 40 degrees, everything is dry and less slippery, and material supply has fully recovered. Unfortunately, the spike in demand also pushes up the price of roof replacement service, so you might want to take your chances in late spring or early summer instead.
Trusted roofing companies in Chicago like Muller Exteriors, however, can take on roof replacement projects at any time of year. As it turns out, they use modern techniques that enable them to work longer hours even when temperatures are off the charts. They also use materials that are well suited for extreme temperatures.
