You can expect high-quality roofing materials to withstand high winds, storms and other weather events. This is especially true if the proper technique was used during roof installation. However, much like the other parts of your home, your roof will age and degrade. It will have a harder time protecting your home against the elements since its components are deteriorating and its shingle granules are shedding.
Generally, your roof’s age determines when you’ll likely need a replacement. It also helps roofers assess your roof and determine the best approach to solve roofing issues. For instance, relatively new roofs can still be restored or repaired while older roofs are best replaced.
But how do you know your roof’s age? Experts share tips in this post.
Knowing Your Roof’s Age
It’s easy to know your roof’s age if you built the property from scratch. But since this isn’t always the case – especially for homeowners who have a pre-owned house – you may be wondering how to figure out the age of your roof. Here are a few things you can do:
- Thorough Roof Inspections
Roofing contractors can estimate your roof’s age through a professional inspection. Typically, they look for signs of issues or damage that are common in aging roofs and use these to determine how many years are left in your roof’s lifespan.
- Records From Former Owners
Home sellers are likely to be involved in the construction or renovation of their properties. They may have a receipt, building permit or warranty card indicating the roof’s age. If you can’t get in touch with the seller, you can talk to the local municipality to check to see if the office has records of building permits for the property. These documents usually indicate the date when the house was constructed or the roof was replaced.
- Neighbors Replacing Their Roofs
If the houses in your community were built around the same time and you see your neighbors are recently installing new roofs, it’s safe to assume that you should replace your roof, too. A roofing company typically performs an inspection before beginning work, so this will help you confirm if it’s time for a roof replacement.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Roof
High-quality roofing materials provide excellent protection against extreme weather events. But despite regular maintenance and prompt repairs, your roof will eventually sustain damage that’s beyond repair. You likely need to replace your roof if your roofer detects these signs:
- Curling
Asphalt shingles between 10 to 15 years of age are likely to curl or claw due to years of withstanding storms and fluctuating temperatures. However, any curled or buckled asphalt shingles that are less than five years old are possibly the result of poor roof installation or insufficient attic ventilation.
- Damaged Roof Valleys
Roof valleys can also suffer from damage due to shingles shifting and coming loose. When these valleys lose their integrity, you’ll notice leaves, debris and sticks accumulating in these parts of your roof. This buildup could keep water runoff from flowing into your gutters and downspouts. Contact a dependable roofing company so you can have your roof checked.
- Missing Shingles
It’s common to have a few missing shingles after a storm. However, if many areas on your roof are missing shingles for no apparent reason, it might be time to replace your time. Missing shingles in large sections of your roof expose the sheathing and underlayment to water damage, which could later affect your rafters and trusses.
- Flashing Corrosion
Flashing protects your roof structures from potential water damage and water infiltration. Have an expert inspect it to know whether you should repair or replace your roof. Corroded flashing usually indicates old age, and in the case of older roofs, the flashing may no longer be up to code as well.
How to Prolong Your Roof’s Lifespan
Doing these tasks regularly can extend your roof’s lifespan, so make sure they’re part of your maintenance routine.
- Gutter Cleaning
Gutters might not contribute much to roof aesthetics, but they eliminate rainwater and prevent them from backing up onto your roof and spilling over your siding, windows and lawn. Standing water in gutters is dangerous because it can soak your roofing materials, causing damage to sheathing, underlayment and shingles.
- Roof Structure Updates
Shingles are easily observable from the ground with the use of binoculars. However, your roof’s structural materials are located inside, so they’re harder to inspect, and they often get neglected. Your attic insulation, sheathing and underlayment can suffer from water damage due to leaks. A professional roof inspection can easily reveal weaknesses in these areas, allowing you to take action before they worsen.
- Leak Repairs
Regular roof inspections can reveal small holes and cracks where water can infiltrate during heavy rains. Addressing them immediately reduces the risk of damaging wooden structures that prop up your roof. By detecting leaks early and repairing your roof promptly, you can extend the life of your roof and delay the need for roof replacement.
- General Roof Repairs
Delaying repairs will only worsen the damage to your roof – which means more expensive repairs down the road. Heavy rainfall can easily make the situation worse by opening up more leak paths, allowing water to soak up more areas and sections of your roof.
- Regular Roof Maintenance
Local roofers offer a regular roof maintenance program that includes all the services your roof will ever need throughout its lifespan. Roof inspections and maintenance every year or after strong storms are highly recommended so you can detect roof damage and fix it before it spirals out of control.
ImproveIT! of Atlanta is a top-notch roofing company with decades of experience in the industry. Our team is knowledgeable and professional, and provides high-quality roof replacement services to customers. We handle each job with keen attention to detail, so you can rest assured that your property is in good hands. Our roofers also carry out roof repairs and roof inspections, and we can also assist you with roof insurance claims.
Call us at (770) 612-5635, or fill out this contact form to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve customers in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta and Marietta, GA.
