How do you know when shingles need to be replaced?

What happens if you don't replace your shingles?

Structural Damage and Collapse

It may begin to wear and rot away at structural beams in your home which in turn can potentially lead to a roof collapse, and can even compromise the integrity of your home's structure.

What does a worn shingle look like?

Darker areas usually appear when granules begin to fall off shingles. This means your shingles have aged and should soon be replaced. Dark patches could also signal algae or moss growth on your roof, which should be removed as soon as possible.

What to look for when replacing shingles?

A good sign that you need a roof replacement is if your roof's gutters are full of those granules. Dark or inconsistent colors are another signal that your shingles are losing granules. Daylight is streaming through the roof: Your attic is a great place to find out if you need a roof replacement.

How often should you change the shingles on a roof?

You should realistically get around 80-85% of the life span out of the asphalt shingles. This means you can expect to get around 20 years out of your 3-tab shingle roof and around 25 years out of your architectural shingles. On the other hand, luxury shingles are thicker and should get up to around 30 years.

When Should I Replace My Roof? (From a Roofing Contractor)

How does it cost to replace a roof?

The national average cost to replace a roof is around $8,000, with most people spending in the range of $5,500 to $11,000. The two largest variables you'll deal with on a job like this are the square footage of your home (and thus, your roof), and the type of roofing material you choose.

How often should you reroof your house?

Under normal circumstances, 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs should last 15-20 years before needing replacement. However, architectural asphalt shingle roofs are a bit more resilient to the elements due to their design. These may last up to 10 years longer than 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs.

How long do roof shingles last?

Dimensional shingles come with a 30-year manufacturer warranty. Vented properly and installed correctly, you should get around 80-85% of the life span out of an asphalt roof. That means you can expect to get about 20-22 years out of your 3-tab shingle roof and 25-28 years out of your dimensional shingles.

What is the difference between re roof and new roof?

Roof Recover: The process of installing an additional roof covering over a prepared existing roof covering without removing the existing roof covering. Roof Replacement: The process of removing the existing roof covering, repairing any damaged substrate and installing a new roof covering.

What color should Roof Flashing be?

Roof flashing is brown or white and does not present a problem if it matches the trim color. With other trim colors the flashing looks very bad unless you paint it to match. On new roofs, they are installing a piece of roof flashing under the edge of the roof that is bent down and covers part of the fascia.

How do I know if my roof is in good condition?

Check Shingles

Keep an eye on your rooftop to make sure its in ship-shape, especially after heavy storms. Shingles should lie flat against the roof; if you find patches that are cracked, damaged, or buckling, then repairs are in order.

What time of year is best to replace roof?

Fall is considered the best season to replace your roof!

Changing seasons can largely impact many factors of your roof replacement – rain, snow, heat, humidity. These weather conditions could also affect how quickly your job can be completed.

Why does my roof look wavy?

A layer of felt paper goes down before the shingle does for every installation, which essentially acts as a base. If the material was damp, if the day was humid, or if the paper bubbled up a bit then it can produce a wavy appearance on your new roof.

Should I preemptively replace roof?

Preemptive repairs and awareness of the condition of your roof can save you time and money in the long run and protect you from further damage. Forward planning can keep you from needing to rush a repair when it's too hot, too cold, or too busy.

Should you replace gutters when replacing roof?

Do your gutters need to be removed during a roof replacement? Most customers usually replace their gutters when they replace their roof. However, if your gutters are fairly new or the material's integrity is holding strong, you probably aren't replacing them during your roof replacement.

How important is a new roof?

A new roof not only can increase the curb appeal of your home — and thus attract the eyes of potential homebuyers — but it can also increase the price you can get for your home. A new roof can increase the resale value of a house by more than $17,000, with homeowners recovering over 60% of their installation costs.

When should you reroof?

Your asphalt roof is about 20 years old

So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely. A reputable roofing contractor will recommend that you replace your roof somewhere around 80-85% of the manufacturer's life of the roof.

How many times can you reroof a roof?

As mentioned above, homeowners are legally limited to two layer of roof shingles. Therefore, if you already have two layers, you'll need a full tear-off. Additionally, if your roof is severely damaged, it likely won't be able to support the weight of a reroof and will need to be torn off.

Should I replace flashing with new roof?

Typically, a roofer will replace step flashing on a new roof. Also, your roofer should not layer new flashing on top of the old flashing. You should only have one layer of flashing on a roof at a time.

Is it OK to reroof over old shingles?

While a repair job can often be more convenient and somewhat more cost-efficient, placing new shingles over old ones is never a good idea. Whether repairing one section of roof, or a replacing a whole one, it's always best to pull up the old shingles before putting down the new ones.

What color shingles last the longest?

Both light-colored and dark-colored shingles can last longer if given the necessary maintenance. The only thing tested and proven about light-colored shingles is that they help us keep the indoor temperature cooler in the hot summer season.

Do they make 15 year shingles?

There are three types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab: These are the most affordable type of roof shingle. In the right conditions and with the proper maintenance, they can last 10 to 15 years. These are made from a fiberglass base topped with mineral granules that disperse and reflect the sun's rays.

Why is roofing so expensive?

Tile and Asphalt are the most used materials for roofing, and they're manufactured with the usage of concrete, clay or oil. The rise of oil prices can directly impacted asphalt shingles to become more costly. Furthermore, the cost of disposing old and damaged materials has also increased in the recent years.

How long does it take to re roof a house?

In general, the roof of an average residence (3,000 square feet or less) can be replaced in a day. In extreme cases, it could take three to five days. Depending on the weather, complexity, and accessibility of your home it could even take up to three weeks.

When should I remove moss from my roof?

If your roof has sprouted a moss infection, you can remove it before it becomes serious enough to impact the performance of your roof. Moss is tough and typically you will not be able to remove it by hand. However, you can use a chemical solution to loosen the moss without damaging the shingles.