The Most Common Roofing Questions

How long does a roof last?

There are a few factors that can either shorten or lengthen the life of roofs. Depending on the factors like climate, weather, the local area and how well it has been maintained, a roof can last as long as 50 years. Regular roof repairs can help prevent tiny problems from prolonging and becoming a major one. Some of the commonly used roofs along with their life span have been mentioned below-

• Asphalt shingles- about 20 years

• Concrete tiles- 15 to 50 years depending on the underlayment that is used

• Metal roofing- the aluminum or steel shingles last as long as 50 years while zinc and copper roofs can last over 100 years.

• Shingle roofing

• Green roofs-known to last from 30 to 50 years by protecting the roof membrane.

How much will a new roof cost me?

Every home is different. Hence to get a rough estimate on how much it will cost, you first need to know the various factors on which the roofing depends-

• The roofing materials and grades of these materials./li>

• The slope of the roof./li>

• If it is a residential or commercial building./li>

• The location of the building/li>

• The labour rates in the area./li>

• The number of floors./li>

To make sure that you get the best bids, contact the best roofing contractors in your locality.

Do I need a roof repair or roof replacement?

On noticing a roof repair, the first question that comes to the mind is probably if you need a roof repair or replacement. It might be a minor leak but sometimes a minor leak may be the indication of a bigger underlying issue because moisture leads to hidden damages and molds.
To make it simple here is a list of questions prior to going for a repair or replacement-

How old is your roof?

If your roof is comparatively new or in its mid-phase, a repair will suffice. But if it is around 20 years old, a replacement is the way to go.

How big is the area of defect?

If the area of a defect is 30% or more, a roof replacement is strongly recommended. A small area of a defect can be fixed all by yourself.

How important is it for you to maintain the same color?

A new shingle will definitely not precisely match the existing shingles owing to some fading due to the sun, wind and rain. You need to decide how important it is for you to match the colors of the shingles with the new ones. If your roof is a highly visible one, you better replace the entire roof.

What is the level of moisture damage to your roof deck?

If the roof has undergone significant moisture damage, then a simple roof repair or shingling over them won’t solve the problem. The best likely option to fix those areas will be to go for a roof replacement.

How to spot a failing roof?

The health of a roof is determined by the age of it. For instance, asphalt roofs that are more than 20 years of age need a replacement rather than a repair. This does not, however, mean than younger roofs cannot develop any issue. A good way to know about the health of a roof is to inspect it regularly after definite intervals of time (at least once a year). Head over to the attic on a sunny day and look for holes which will be easily visible with sunlight peeking through them. While you are up there, ensure to check for wet spots as well. Water damages are a serious issue that can seep all the way to the attic.