Let’s be very clear: whether to replace your roof or not is no small decision. A roof replacement costs a decent amount of your hard-earned money, can take several weeks, and may drastically alter the appearance of your home. There’s more to it than that: how do you know when it’s time to replace your roof? What time of year is best to replace your roof?
Here are some things you should know before you replace your roof, as well as answers to some of your most frequently asked questions:
Different geographical locations may require roof replacements more often
Depending on where you live, you may experience temperate weather with few or no extreme events, in which case your roof may very well live out to the end of its estimated lifespan. However, in areas like Calgary roofing becomes a lot more difficult thanks to the region’s large share of hailstorms, heavy snow, and high winds. If you live in an area where weather extremes are the norm, think of how much damage your roof has sustained over the years! You may want to hire a roofing professional to assess the state of your roof and make the call as to whether or not it’s time for a replacement.
The age of your roof is an important factor
Besides damages, the age of your roof should be taken into account. Different roofing materials have different estimated lifespans. Common roofing materials are wood and asphalt, which both have an estimated lifespan of between 20 to 30 years. Metal roofs, on the other hand, may last for half a century or more. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, hire a roofing professional to do an inspection and determine if you need a tune-up or a total replacement.
Look for these common signs that it’s time for a replacement
If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan and may have seen a number of extreme weather events in its time, look for the following symptoms that it may be due for a replacement:
- Cracking and splintering
- Exposed nails
- Lifted shingles
- Warped shingles
- Curled shingles
- Leaking, rot, or water damage
- Missing granules
- Tar patchwork
- Ventilation issues
- Roof sagging
Again, a roofing professional may be able to give you better insight as to what constitutes as needing a roof replacement. Your roof – depending on its status – may very well only need some simple repairs before it is shipshape again.
Consider the roofing materials for your next roof
Roofing material is something you should consider if you think it is time to replace your roof, as different roofing materials may stand longer in certain temperatures. Most roofing professionals will offer a variety of materials but provide you with recommendations best suited to the local climate. Every material has different benefits and different downsides, whether that is price, durability, or look.
Hire a licensed professional to do the job for you
Replacing your roof is no small task. You’ll want to ensure that, should you plan to go along with your replacement project, you hire a licensed roofing professional to do the job for you. Consider the creditworthiness of the roofing company you wish to hire, their reputation, what you want done, and your budget for the job. Remember that replacing a roof is generally not cheap, and you’ll want to pay for what it’s worth as your roof is your home’s first line of defense! Ask for quotes from multiple credible roofing professionals in your local area and compare. Most reputable roofing companies will have multiple shining referrals and be able to give you a rough estimate of how much your roof replacement will cost.
