A roof is an integral part of your home that impacts the curb appeal. It’s essential to take care of your roof to preserve its life. Determining the life span of a roof is not a simple task.
Roofs require regular maintenance and upgrades to prevent water leakage. You can take steps to keep your roof in the best possible condition by following tips and maintenance recommendations. Problem areas like fascia and barge boards must be inspected regularly, as they are most susceptible to damage. Read on if you’re curious about how often you should replace your roof and how to determine your roof’s life span.
Table of Contents
The Roof Material
The material of your roof will affect its lifespan; the more durable your roof is, the longer it will last. For example:
- Asphalt shingles have a lifespan of 15-25 years
- Clay tiles can last up to 100 years
- Metal roofs last around 40-70 years
- Wood shakes last 15-35 years
- Concrete tiles last 50 years
- Slate tiles last 35-100 years
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The Age of Roof Installation
Checking the age of your roof installation requires some detective work and a little bit of math. Start by reviewing any records or paperwork you have regarding the installation of your home’s roof, such as receipts or warranty information.
If you can’t find these documents, you may want to contact an insurance adjuster who can help you track down an estimate for the materials used in your roof installation. If this is not possible, then it is probably safely assumed that your home’s roof was installed within the last ten years, depending on where you live and how much wear-and-tear there has been on roofs in that area.
The Climate and Weather Conditions
When figuring out how long your roof will last, you need to consider the climate and weather conditions where you live. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of snowfall each year, your roof will need replacement more often than someone living in an area with less snowfall each year.
Similarly, if you live in an area where temperatures fluctuate wildly between seasons, this can also affect how long your roof lasts. Weather conditions can also affect how long your roof lasts; for example, if it frequently rains in your area, there will be more wear on the shingles than if it only rains occasionally.
Maintaining Your Roof
Roofs are the first line of defense against mother nature and must be maintained to keep out moisture, wind, and snow. A good roof will last for 20 years with proper care. Here are some tips for keeping your roof in tip-top shape:
- Inspect your roof regularly. You should check for any obvious signs of damage (like cracks or holes) at least once yearly. If you notice any issues, contact a professional roofer immediately so they can take care of them before they get worse or cause further damage to your home’s interior spaces.
- Maintain proper drainage around your house by cleaning out gutters regularly and ensuring downspouts drain properly away from the house’s foundation and walls. It helps prevent water damage to those areas and keeps moisture away, so it doesn’t cause mold growth in attics or crawl spaces.
- Check for leaks every spring and fall. If you find a leak, call a roofer immediately.
- Watch out for loose shingles that might be blown away by high winds or storms; call in a roofer if you see any loose shingles on your roof.
- Please remove the moss buildup on your roof by cleaning it off periodically (once or twice annually). It extends its life by preventing damage to the wood underneath.
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Roof Ventilation
Ventilation is essential for maintaining the right temperature in an attic or higher level connected to the roof. Roof ventilation helps to decrease metal expansion caused by excessive heat. If your roof doesn’t have proper ventilation, melting snow could freeze in your gutters during the winter, leading to water leaks and roof damage.
Therefore, you can install active roof vents to remove hot, polluted air inside the home and replace it with cool, fresh air. Fix the vents towards the roof’s peak, and when the air temperature within the home rises above a certain threshold, the hot air is forced out via them.
Deciding when to replace your roof is tedious. Many factors go into determining the lifespan of your roof, including the type of roofing material and your geographic location. You must also inspect your roof regularly to get the most life out of your roof. If you’re having problems determining the life span of your roof, don’t hesitate to contact a professional roofer.
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