It all starts with an annoying dripping sound that you hear one night during a rainstorm.
You check every faucet in the house to make sure they’re turned off. They are. You check your refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and washing machine for any signs of leaks. You can’t find any.
Then you step on a wet spot. You look up and a big drop of water from the ceiling plops right on your nose.
“Great,” you grouse to yourself. “This house isn’t that old and the roof’s already leaking. How often do you need to replace a roof, anyway?”
The answer may surprise you. Here’s what you need to know.
When Does A Roof Need to Be Replaced?
According to professional contractors, the average lifespan of a roof runs between twenty-five and thirty years. Once you go beyond that thirty-year mark, you run the risk of serious problems, though you can still get your roof repaired or replaced. (You can read on here for more information about one such project.)
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of a Roof?
The answer to, “how often do you need to replace a roof” depends on a host of external factors that can shorten or lengthen the average professional estimate. Some factors that may affect how long your roof lasts include:
- The age and quality of the materials used
- Whether or not you maintain the roof each year
- The presences of pests or rodents
- Local weather patterns
- External debris
Each of these factors plays a role in the timing for replacing a roof. Of these, the weather and quality of materials are the most important things to consider when replacing a roof.
How to Tell When Your Roof Needs Replacing
So, how can you tell when you need a roof replacement? Aside from the leaky ceiling we alluded to in the beginning, there are many other warning signs that can hint towards a larger problem. These signs that replacing a roof is imminent can include:
- Your energy costs go through the roof and keep climbing
- The presence of moss or algae on your shingles
- Bald or curling spots in the shingles
- Sunlight coming through your roof beams
- The presence of mould or rot, and
- The presence of leaks in the home
If you spot any of the above warning signs, then you need to contact professional contractors ASAP to get them repaired.
Why Roof Replacement Is Important
It’s easy to write off a small bald spot in the shingles or a tiny leak as if it’s not a big deal. However, your roof is the only thing keeping you and your belongings protected from the elements. Without it, you let water, mould, pests, and all sorts of other nasties into your home.
That’s why knowing the answer to questions like “how often do you need to replace a roof” is so important. For more information on this subject and many other home improvement projects that you may need to undertake, visit our blog each day for more content like this!
