If you’re trying to do what’s best for your household, thorough and diligent roof maintenance will always be part of the process. The biggest aspect of roof care is understanding when it’s time to buy a new one. For this, you’ll need the assistance of a professional.
The roofing industry is expected to hit $156 billion in the approaching years. The fact that it’s such a growing industry shows that you’ll have no problem finding and hiring pros to help you.
Knowing how often to replace a roof requires some awareness and reflection. The tips below will help you out.
How Often Should You Replace a Roof?
On average, homeowners pay about $8,600 for a new roof. This is an expenditure that you will want to stretch out for as long as you possibly can. Before you replace a roof, you should make sure that you understand the most common lifespan.
Roofs can last anywhere between about 15 years and 100 years. There are a variety of factors that dictate when you should get a roof replacement, and understanding these factors will help you make the right decision.
The Roof Materials
If you’re in need of a new roof, deciding on the materials is the most important step of the process. There are a variety of materials that roofs are made with, including asphalt, tile, metal, and slate.
The type of roof material that you decide on will dictate how long the roof will last. Certain materials last longer than others, so consider the durability that you’re looking for. Expect an asphalt roof to last anywhere between 15 years and 30 years.
Tile roofs can last as long as 50 years. Metal roofing can last anywhere between 40 years and 70 years. Slate roofs can last 75 years or longer.
The longevity that you sign up for will depend on what you need from your household as a whole. Consider these roofing materials so that you can do what’s best for your home.
The Weather Conditions Where You Live
You need to also consider the weather conditions and climate where you live. This will dictate the types of roof repairs that you need to get.
In a place like St. Louis, you’re dealing with all four seasons and extreme temperatures in the summer and winter. You can expect the heat to reach 90 degrees in the summertime and frigid, snowy winters. Your roof will also experience plenty of rainfall, to the point that it can get soggy, heavy, and fall apart.
Consider the weather conditions in your area when you decide on the roof materials, and be mindful that extreme weather can make you replace your roof sooner.
How Well You Take Care of It
A roof’s longevity also depends on how well it is maintained. Roof maintenance is one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle that you need to get to know since it protects your occupants, keeps pests from building nests, and makes your home more thermally efficient.
It’s one of the main obligations that you sign up for when you decide to purchase a home. If you stick to a thorough maintenance plan for a roof, you’ll get the best from it. Some of the most critical parts of roof maintenance include:
- Cleaning your roof gutters
- Getting an annual inspection
- Providing a roof seal
- Sweeping and cleaning the roof
- Reinforcing beams and other parts of the roof structure
When you keep your roof under detailed maintenance, you’ll get an excellent return on investment (ROI) and your home will benefit from it.
The Discretion of the Homeowner
Of course, the timetable for replacing your roof also depends on the homeowner. You can install a new roof for cosmetic reasons, or because you want a change of pace. The type of roof that you have will dictate how your home regulates energy and how much you pay to maintain it.
If you are preparing your home for sale, installing a new roof is often one of the best decisions to make. This builds more equity in your house and lets you get a greater return price. You can replace your roof outside of the lifespan and timetable at any time, even if you just want a style upgrade.
A professional contractor can upgrade your roof with state-of-the-art materials that keep up with the industry and protect your home long-term.
Consider Your Roof Needs
It’s important that you do your due diligence whenever it’s time to upgrade your roof. This will let you make an informed decision, and your money will be spent more wisely.
When you’re looking for a new roof, here are some of the main protocols to consider:
Know Why You’re Getting a New Roof
Homeowners need to understand why they’re getting a new roof so that they make sound decisions. There’s a different rationale for getting a new roof when you are getting an emergency repair, as opposed to buying a roof as part of a property upgrade.
You might also be purchasing a roof to complement your new shingles, paint job, or other remodeling tasks. When you understand why you’re getting a new roof, it will inform your options and can steer you in the direction of the best choices. You’ll also be able to explore preferences of brands, designs, and other factors.
Get a Professional Inspection
Take the time to get a roofing inspection regularly so that you can look after the quality of your roof. Getting a roof inspection will let the roofer survey the situation and advise you on the best roofing materials and styles you should consider.
This is a prerequisite for buying a new roof and will help you prevent waiting too long or purchasing a roof that is a poor fit. Hiring a professional for a roof inspection is an inexpensive repair that will pay off long-term. You can also have the same roofer that handled the inspection provide the new roof installation.
Study Your Design Options
Recognize also that there are a variety of roofing styles that you can choose between. These design options dictate your curb appeal, the overall aesthetic of your house, and how your roof handles drainage.
Some of the main types of roof styles that you might choose to explore include:
- Gable roofs
- Flat roofs
- Dormer roofs
- Saltbox roofs
- Pyramid roofs
- Mansard roofs
- Butterfly roofs
These designs can work whether your home is modern or more rustic and will add lots of character to your property.
Consult Your Homeowner’s Insurance
You should also touch base with your homeowner’s insurance to explore your options. Depending on the type of coverage that you have and your reason for getting a new roof, you may be able to cover at least part of the costs.
If your roof is damaged in a storm or other weather event, you can generally get the full cost covered by the insurance company. It’s always worth a shot to check, so reach out to your insurance company to let them know that you’re interested in a new roof. From there, check with the roofing professionals in your area to see if they use your insurance.
Hire a Roofing Professional
Learning how to hire a roofing professional will help you get the best work for your money. Your decision to hire a credible and thorough roofer will make a huge difference in the type of service that you receive.
Consider these points when you’re reaching out to roofers in your area:
Study the Best Pros in Your City
If you want to get the most from your roof work, it starts with hiring the highest-quality roofers that you can find. Look into their reputation to make sure that the roofing professional is respected and highly regarded in your city.
Find some pros that are award-winning, because this is a sign that they do quality business, conduct excellent work, and provide timely service. The same pros that handle your installation can also provide maintenance throughout the years.
Verify That They’re Licensed and Insured
Always make sure that the roofers you intend to hire are licensed and insured. This signifies that they’re credible and legally able to provide quality roofing service. Holding an insurance policy means that they are covered for any damage they create or other liabilities.
Never skip this step, because hiring a licensed and insured roofer is a prerequisite that gives you peace of mind during the entire installation.
Look for the Best Prices
Make sure that you also get as many price quotes as you can for your roofing service. You can end up overpaying for a new roof when you aren’t careful.
After you get a cost estimate on service, you can compare them between three to five other professionals. From here, you can decide on which quote you deem the fairest, and can make sure that your dollar goes the furthest.
Consider the overall cost of the roof work, including supplies, labor, and fees. This will help you get the best ROI possible.
Attach a Warranty
When you’re ready to get a new roof, ask the roofing professional about any warranty options they provide. A warranty can help you secure the roof service and protect your home for the next several years.
Find out the terms of the warranty and make sure that you understand them before moving forward with the work. In addition to the warranty, a roofing professional can also handle your maintenance. This can include matters like keeping your gutters clean and handling yearly inspections.
Handle the Roofing Installation
Once you know which professionals you’d like to handle your work, follow some protocols for following through on the work. This will make sure that the project is handled correctly from start to finish.
Include these points in your timeline:
Plan Around the Work
You need to have a plan for your living arrangements while the roofing work is conducted. In most cases, a new installation can take 2 days or more, which means that you may need to relocate temporarily.
Handle these matters in advance, and make sure to plan for longer just in case. Check with your homeowner’s insurance plan to see if they offer contingencies or reimbursement.
Read the Contract
Read through the work contract in detail so that you know what to expect. Look for things like cancellation policies, arrival times, and estimated times of completion.
When you study the contract in detail, you will know your rights and obligations and will be better prepared to helm the project. Make sure that the cleanup is outlined in the contract, and that the roofer closes out the project in full.
Stay in Touch With the Roofer
Work with a roofer that will keep in touch with you after the project is complete. Many roofers will voluntarily follow up with you over the next couple of months to make sure that you are still happy with your installation.
Let the roofer know if anything at all seems amiss, and have them come check out these issues for you.
Learn How Often to Replace a Roof
The tips in this article are worthwhile when you are learning how often to replace a roof.
DeG Contracting can assist you when you’re in need of some of the best roofing work on the market. If you’re looking for a roofing contractor in St. Louis, contact us for a free estimate on our website, or call us at (636)928-7663.
