Sometimes life is just as frustrating for adults as it is for those four-year-olds who never stop asking questions. The kid asks, “Why?” and then asks it about eleventy-five more times. As an adult, sometimes you just do not get the answer you were looking for. “How often should I consider roof replacement?” Answer: It depends.
An L Word
Leaks. A leaky roof signals the roof has outlived its expected life because multiple layers — shingles, tile, or metal; underlayment; water shield; sheathing — have failed.
If you have dripping or standing water in your attic (or worse, on your ceilings), consider a full roof replacement soon.
The M Word
Maintenance. Few homeowners want to spend money for annual roof inspection and maintenance, but a small payment each year can easily add years of useful life to a roof. Regular maintenance of aging and new roofs is vital.
On the other hand, if you have no idea how old your roof is, your local residential roofer can give you the information you need to decide on a new roof.
The Q Word
Quality. Quality of a roof matters, but not just for the materials. Consider all the aspects of quality which can shorten the life of your roof:
- The quality of your home itself — the rafters, sheathing, attic joists, and masonry all affect how your roof will operate as an integrated system; they are the foundation for your roof deck, and if they were constructed poorly, your roof’s life would be shortened
- The quality of installation of your current roof — If your existing roof was slapped down in half a day by laborers picked up at the parking lot of a big-box home improvement store, it likely won’t last.
That Darned W Word
Weather and Florida. If your roof has faced a lot of heavy weather, it will not last nearly as long as a roof in a calmer part of this fine country. Sun, high winds, heavy rains, and flying debris all take a toll on any residential roof. We’re Alan’s Roofing, and we can help you decide when roof replacement is right for you. Contact us today to discuss your Central Florida home’s aging roof.
