Replacing a roof can be costly and inconvenient, so owners need to know how long to wait—without waiting too long! Home owners and building managers can always contact a reputable re-roofing contractor to check the condition of a roof, but it’s best to have basic knowledge about different types of roofs, durability, and expected wear.
Most roofs last about 20 years assuming the building is located in an area with a mild climate. Residential roofing contractor can give you more detailed estimates that take local climate and building trends into account. This includes shakes and basic composition shingles. Upgraded composition shingles tend to last a little longer, from about 25 to 30 years. Concrete tile typically lasts even longer than that, even indefinitely, as long as it isn’t damaged by a major weather event or foot traffic. Flat roofs can last about 20 years if they are installed by professionals. The lifespan of a roof depends mostly on what material was used to build the roof. Obviously, severe local climate and weather is also a factor.
Aside from the timeframe, how do you know when it’s time to call re-roofing contractors? Any leak warrants a call to a professional. In addition, damage to shingles, gutters, or flashing warrant repairs. (Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes, as well as valleys where sections of the roof converge.) When shingles are missing or damaged by wind, the roof becomes exposed to water damage. This leads to rotting and causes additional shingles to become dislodged and ineffective. Flashing and gutters can also become rusted, decayed or damaged over time—this too can lead to a damaged roof that fails to properly insulate the building. When owners notice this type of damage, it is best to call a roofer to make repairs. Roofs that are repaired in a timely fashion last longer!