FAQ
As a homeowner of an old or aging house, you are probably wondering how to tell if you need a new roof. You likely also want to know when your roof needs to be replaced and how often your roof should be replaced. Finding answers to these questions can be tricky sometimes and, often, the answers you need aren’t all in one place. We want to change that!
These are 3 guides on how to tell if you need a new roof:
- Perform an Interior Roof check – The first and easiest way to evaluate your roof’s condition is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a bright beam so you don’t miss any damage and always be sure to be safe as you perform these kinds of inspections
- Perform an exterior roof check – Once you have performed an interior roof check, it is also a good idea to take a look at your roof from the outside. Interior roof checks are essential because they will help you identify roof damage that has already reached the interior of your roofing structure.
A leak in your roof can lead to thousand of dollars in damage if you don’t repair it, but one or two leaks may not mean that you need to replace the entire roof. In fact, if you act quickly, you can often get away with a minor repair bill, costing you hundreds of dollars instead of thousands.
A single roof might not always mean you need to have your entire roof replaced. It could be caused by several reasons, some of which are easily fixed with a minor repair. However, multiple leaks or signs of roof damage could mean it’s time to replace your roof before more leaks or water damage to your home occur.
One of the key factors that determine if you need a new roof is age. Now, we all know roofs don’t last forever, but homeowners may be asking themselves: how long does a roof last? Generally, you can expect your roof to last about 20 years. But, the actual lifespan of your roof depends on a number of things, including the type of roofing materials that were used as well as the environment.
Here are the factors:
- Quality of the installation workmanship– A poor quality installation will shorten your roof’s lifespan.
- Environmental conditions– Exposure to high winds, extreme temperatures, and falling debris can decrease how long your roof lasts.
- The quality of materials used– Cheaper materials won’t cost as much upfront but will have to be replaced more often than other expensive roofing materials.
- The type of roofing material used– Each roofing material has different durability, making them last longer or shorter in different conditions.
While there are several factors that impact how long your roof lasts, your roof’s lifespan most heavily depends on the materials used.
Many people ask us, “How long does it take to replace a roof?” Of course, we can give you an average, but the time it takes to replace a roof can vary by several factors, it’s based on a number of factors.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to determining the length of time it’ll take professionals to replace your roof. For optimal conditions and an average size home, A roof replacement project can vary between a single day and two weeks. Many different considerations will factor into the total project time.
If you have noticed discoloration or any type of dark streaks along with your roof shingles, it is likely you are experiencing some type of algae growth. These growths can be extremely common in humid areas like Florida.
Top 3 discoloration causes:
- Roofing Shingle Algae – Algae feed on the limestone that is used in the fillers around the asphalt shingles. Unfortunately, algae can infest your roof, trapping moisture and eventually causing water damage. Additionally, algae discolor the roof affecting the aesthetics and overall curb appeal of your home. If left unchecked, algae will eventually combine with fungi to form a lichen. And unlike algae, lichen is very difficult to get rid of.
- Asphalt Bleed-Through – These extreme environmental elements can cause the shingles to deteriorate immensely over time. Consequently, this deterioration causes the pigments of black asphalt in each shingle to rise to the surface in a process called asphalt bleed-through. These pigments can then bleed off the roof in a runoff after heavy rain or snowfall, forming black streaks of asphalt particles. This process can also occur with relatively new roofing materials if the shingles are of lower quality.
Rust Stains – Metal roofs or roofs with metal fixtures are highly likely to see dark red or brown discoloration. This is an indication that your roof has rust stains. If your roof uses metal materials, the red stains will be more widespread and become more obvious with time. However, if you have a roof with metal elements such as a metal chimney, metal flashing, antenna mounts, or any other metal components, the rusting discoloration will appear just around the metal components.
All roof cost ranges are from local averages and do not include the cost of old roof removal or additional structural repairs. Individual estimates for roof replacement costs will vary due to many factors and could fall above or below the ranges provided.
The average cost to replace a roof can vary quite a bit. According to HomeAdvisor, the typical range for roof replacement costs is between $5,100 and $10,000, but roof replacement can be as low as $1,200 or as high as $30,000. Many roofing companies will charge between $3.50 and $5.00 per square foot. The average roof size is about 1,700 square feet. The cost depends on a variety of factors including square footage, material, damage to your roof, and more.
On the lower end of this spectrum, you’ll be getting a roof with lower quality materials and possibly lower quality work that cuts corners. Choosing to move forward with low-quality work will result in needing your roof replaced sooner and could even void your warranty.