Did you know that a well-constructed roof can last anywhere from 20 to a hundred years? Material, location, and maintenance are all factors that can impact the exact lifespan of your roof.
Today we’ll go over some of the top dangers to your roof’s heath. This way, you can protect your home against them and prolong your roof’s lifespan.
Improper Roof Maintenance
Easily one of the easiest ways to damage your roof is simply by failing to maintain it properly. Most roof damage is preventable, given that you’re aware of the problem and take steps to fix it as quickly as possible.
Here are just a few ways in which improper roof maintenance can lead to significant damage to your home:
Missing Inspections
Did you know? Your roof needs to undergo inspections at least 1-2 times a year. This ensures that missing shingles and other damage is discovered as soon as possible.
Skipping these inspections can be detrimental to your roof’s health and likely increases your chances of developing a leak.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing protects small cracks and crevices that can otherwise allow water to leak through. Just like shingles, flashing is vital to preventing leaks from entering your home. It’s no wonder that damaged flashing is easily one of the biggest threats to homeowners.
Ask your roofing contractor about flashing when they perform your annual roof inspections. The most common points to place flashing are near chimneys, skylights, and other roof additions.
Clogged Gutters
Although they’re frequently overlooked, gutters are vital to ensuring that rainwater doesn’t pool on the roof. Well-installed gutters help direct the flow of water away from the home so that it can drain in a safe location.
When leaves, sticks, and other objects clog your gutters, it prevents water from draining freely and increases your chances of ponding.
Damage From The Environment
Aside from human error, the next most common type of roof damage is that which comes from the environment. Tornadoes, wind, snowstorms, and everything in between can all be devastating to your roof’s health over time.
Rain Damage To Roof
One of the most common culprits of leaks, rain, can be very dangerous to your home’s health if managed incorrectly. Since rain can easily sneak through gaps in shingles, it’s important to make roof repairs as soon as you’re made aware of problems.
Keep in mind that water that leaks into the home can create moist areas that are perfect for mold growth. Even worse, however, these soft spots can weaken ceilings and walls and turn into expensive repairs down the road.
Hail Damage On Roof
There aren’t many things falling out of the sky that can cause dents in metal, but unfortunately, hail is one of them. Particularly when it comes to large chunks of hail (1” in diameter or bigger), your roof can definitely take some damage.
For example, hail can create dings and dents in shingles, roof vents, flashing, and other parts of your roof.
Snow Damage To Roof
During the winter months, snow and ice can also present a challenge.
For example, snow that melts disproportionately across your roof can slide down to the edges and refreeze again, slowly building up an ice dam. Although ice dams can be removed, it’s much easier to simply prevent them by cleaning off snow pileups in a timely manner.
In addition to ice dams, however, there are also weight concerns to keep in mind when it comes to snow piling up on your roof. Although it’s not very likely, large quantities of heavy, impacted snow could cause a roof collapse.
Wind Damage To Roof
The most obvious sign of wind damage is simply missing shingles that have been blown off. Worn-off granules are another common symptom of wind damage.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do to protect ourselves against this particular threat. Regular inspections and a well-chosen roof type are probably your best bet in windy regions. Ask your roofing expert about metal roofing options – it’s one of the most durable options when it comes to resisting strong winds.
Roofing FAQ
We hope that this guide helped. If, however, you still have questions related to this topic, here are a few more answers to commonly asked questions.
Is A Metal Roof Cheaper Than Shingles?
This cost depends on what type of shingle you’re interested in. For example, metal roofing will typically cost a bit more per square foot than asphalt shingles but less than slate or clay shingles.
How Much Is Metal Roofing?
According to Angi, the “national average cost to install a metal roof ranges between $5,300 and $14,700”. Do keep in mind that roofing is typically priced per square foot, so the cost of your roof directly depends on the amount of footage covered.
Metal also comes in different types, ranging from basic metal roofing to expensive materials such as copper or zinc. It’s usually best to consult with a roofing expert so that they can recommend a metal that’ll be the best value for your home.
How Long Do Roofs Last?
As we mentioned earlier, the exact lifespan of your roof will depend on a variety of factors – including maintenance, shingles used, and the location of the home.
Here are a few estimates for the lifespan of different types of roofs, courtesy of Roofing Calculator.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs: The most commonly used roofing material in the US, these shingles typically last about 15-30 years before needing to be replaced.
Metal Roofing: A regular metal roof can last anywhere between 40 to 70 years. However, premium metals such as copper or zinc can last even longer than that.
Wood Shakes and Shingle Roofs: These types of roofs can last up to 30 years if they are maintained properly.
Slate Tile Shingle Roofs: By far one of the most durable materials, slate allows a roof to last anywhere from 75 to 200 years. That’s a long time! Keep in mind that slate tile shingles are particularly heavy and may require expert installation.
How To Install Metal Roofing?
Generally speaking, you should not try to do a complete roof installation job by yourself (unless you happen to be a professional roofing contractor). Instead, opt to contact a roofing company that can install a high-quality roof for you within just a few weeks. Here at Austermiller Roofing, we would be more than happy to talk you through our process and provide you with a FREE quote.
That aside, however, metal roofing is generally a more complicated installation process than simple asphalt shingles. So if you do opt for metal, be aware that it may take a little bit longer.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
As we’ve mentioned above, rain can be a huge nuisance and can occasionally even lead to leaks penetrating your roof and home. If this happens to you, however, don’t worry quite yet. In some cases, your home insurance might cover some of the costs associated with your roofing repairs. The best thing to do is to contact Austermiller Roofing and your insurance provider to find out what may or may not be covered by your policy.
How To Estimate A Roofing Job?
Wondering how much a roofing job may cost you? Don’t worry, you don’t have to climb up onto your roof and estimate the footage; we’ll do that for you! Simply call or visit our website to get in touch with Austermiller roofing and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Not only will we advise you on a course of action to fix your roofing problem, but we’ll be happy to provide you with a FREE roofing quote.
Roof Repair Near Me
Are you looking for a team of excellent roofing contractors? We’ve got you covered! Austermiller Roofing has over 30 years of experience solving all kinds of roofing problems. We can handle anything from simple shingle replacement to large-scale mold removal and restoration jobs.
Whether you live in Nashville, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, we’re the team for you.
Fill out our online form to schedule your appointment. We’ll be more than happy to provide you with a FREE quote for the repairs.