Do Roofs Need Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Even with a properly installed roof,

it’s important that you have at least an annual maintenance inspection

. When you get an annual maintenance inspection potential problems are caught, your roof’s life is maximized, and you get peace of mind.

Why you need to maintain your roof?


Your roof provides you with defense against wind, rain, snow, hail and heat

. Every day your roof is exposed to weather hazards and other elements, all of which contribute to its damage and deterioration. The primary cause of roof problems is a poorly maintained roof.

How often should you do maintenance on your roof?

Investing in roof maintenance goes a long way towards the long term health of your new roof. Even with a properly installed roof, it’s important to have

at least an annual

roof maintenance inspection.

How many years does a roof last?

Slate, copper and tile roofs, which are on the upper end of the price spectrum, can last

more than 50 years

. Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found.

What is flashing in roofing?

What is flashing? Flashing, made from either metal or a rubber membrane, is

a part of the system that keeps water from entering through holes created in your roof

. All roofs have penetrations: openings or holes in the roof surface which allow for elements like chimneys, flues, skylights and vents.

How do you maintain roof shingles?

  1. Inspect Your Shingles. Do yearly checks on your roof shingles — especially after the wild weather months. …
  2. Trim Branches. If you have trees with overhanging branches, have them trimmed before the winter sets in. …
  3. Unclog Gutters. …
  4. Monitor Moss. …
  5. Insulate/Ventilate. …
  6. Prevent Ice Dams. …
  7. Caulk the Flashings.

What should I look for when inspecting a roof?

  1. Your attic’s ventilation. …
  2. Are there any visible roof leaks or interior water stains? …
  3. How many layers your roof has. …
  4. The condition of your roof’s decking. …
  5. Your roof vents. …
  6. Your roof shingles.

How often should roof vents be inspected?

The general answer is that you should have a professional inspect your roof

at least once per year

, with the building owner performing regular, year-round care, especially after bad weather. Usually, the spring or fall are when most people hire professional roofers to do thorough roof inspections.

How do you maintain a flat roof?

  1. Have it checked periodically. Many home and business owners neglect to inspect their roofs as often as they should. …
  2. Keep it clean. …
  3. Trim back nearby trees. …
  4. Deal with leaks promptly. …
  5. Watch the weight. …
  6. Make sure you have a good drainage system in place.

How do you know when it’s time to replace your roof?

  • Water Damage in the Upstairs or Attic. …
  • The Roof Has Outlived its Lifespan. …
  • The Roof Sags. …
  • Moss, Mold, or Fungi Have Taken Over. …
  • Curling or Buckling Shingles. …
  • Missing Shingles or Granules. …
  • Missing Flashing, Gutter Guards or Fascia. …
  • You’re Frustrated by Your Cooling Bills.

How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 2200 square foot house?

A 2200 square-foot roof will cost the average homeowner between

$5700 -$9100

. Your home needs a new roof and there are many factors working into that.

How long does it take to reroof 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.

Should I replace flashing with new roof?


If your contractor doesn’t see rusting and the metal’s integrity is still holding up, then your flashing won’t need to be replaced during your roof replacement

. On the other hand, if it’s damaged, rusted, or if you’re upgrading from a 3-tab to dimensional asphalt shingle, it will need to be replaced.

How long should roof flashing last?

You can expect roof flashings to last

20 to 35 years, with an average of 25 years

. A flashing is any material that is used as a transition between roofing and another surface or at a roof penetration, or at a change in plane of the roofing itself. If a roof is leaking, it is likely at a flashing.

Does flashing go over or under shingles?


Flashing should overlap the roof-covering material

, but on asphalt shingle roofs, for aesthetic reasons, the part of the headwall flashing that extends down over asphalt shingles is often covered with a course of shingle tabs.

Will roof leak with one shingle missing?


all of a shingle doesn’t make it more or less likely that your roof will leak

. It all comes down to that shingle’s location. When a shingle goes missing, the likelihood of a leak depends on whether the lost shingle or tab was covering a seam between two others.

Which roof lasts the longest?

The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) rates

slate

as by far the longest lasting roofing material, with a life expectancy of 150+ years, followed closely by clay and concrete at roughly 100 years.

How long will a new asphalt roof last?

Your asphalt roof is about 20 years old

For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, that’s

25-years

. As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.

How do you evaluate a roof?

  1. Look for Algae, Moss, or Piles of Leaves. If you have binoculars, you can begin your DIY roof checkup from the ground. …
  2. Look for Buckled or Curled Shingles. …
  3. Check for Damaged, Missing, or Old Shingles. …
  4. Inspect the Roof Up Close. …
  5. Investigate Your Attic.

How do drones do roof inspections?

How do I know if my roof vents are working?


Touch your ceiling on a warm, sunny day

. A hot ceiling tells you that the attic is acting like a solar oven, raising your cooling bills and cooking the shingles. Thick ridges of ice on your eaves in winter are a sign of poor attic ventilation. Warm air that escapes rooms below gets trapped in the attic.

Where do thorough roof inspections Beginly begin?

What Does a Roof Inspection Entail? Walk-Around: Your roofing contractor will most likely begin

by doing a walkaround of the property from the ground

. He will be able to see worn areas, dry rot, drainage patterns, or any damage to soffits, roof eaves or more.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.