As you are driving through Austin to your subdivision, it’s common to look at the houses and yards of your neighbors and compare them to your home. How does your home and yard compare? When you look at your roof in comparison to your neighbors, do you notice your roof is beginning to show its age? Here is some information about roof replacement in the Austin area.
How Long Does the Average Roof Last?
How long your roof will last depends entirely on the material used to construct your roof. Most roofs in the Austin area are made from asphalt shingles. If your roof is made from asphalt shingles, you can expect your roof to last between 15 and 40 years, depending on whether your roof is made from the traditional 3-tab asphalt shingles, architectural asphalt shingles, or composite shingles.
If your roof is made of metal, slate, or clay, you can expect that it will last from 30 to 40 years, on average. Some of these roofs can last as long as 50 years.
The lifespan of your roof depends on many factors. For example, Texas has more lightning strikes than any other state. Lightning can severely damage roofs. Hail from thunderstorms can also damage your roof, depending on the size of the hail. Your roof can also be damaged by wind, tree branches falling, and even animals.
Signs Your Roof Needs Replacement
If you’re wondering whether or not your roof needs replacement, there are some signs you can look for to help you make a decision.
One of the earliest signs you may need to replace your roof, especially if you have asphalt shingles, is the shingles themselves. If your shingles are missing the granules that are sprinkled on the asphalt as an extra layer of protection from the elements, you may need to think about a roof replacement. Your shingles might also be curling at the edges. You may have some shingles missing.
You might also notice other signs that you need to replace your roof. Sections of your roof may look buckled, or it may be sagging. You might notice cracks in your roofing around the flashing or your chimney as well. Sometimes, you may notice changes in your house that come from roof damage. You might see water stains, wet spots, or water streaks on your ceiling. If you go into your attic, you might see wet spots and damaged insulation, especially after heavy rain. All of these signs point to a damaged roof.
Repair vs. Replacement
If you have noticed that your roof may need some first aid, how do you know when your roof can be fixed with a simple repair or if it needs a replacement?
There are some occasions when your roof might need a simple repair. For example, if your roof is less than ten years old, and a tree branch falls during a thunderstorm and damages your roof, it may be possible to repair the roof rather than replace it.
You may also have a leak due to the materials around the vents, pipes, or chimney. Many contractors use materials such as rubber or plastic that degrade more quickly than a roof does. If that’s the case, you can simply replace those materials to get more life out of your roof. Other items that may indicate your roof can be repaired rather than replaced are improper installation of flashing, too much tar on the roof, or not enough ventilation in your attic.
There will be times when you will have no choice but to replace your roof. If the damage to your roof from trees, hail, or lightning is extensive, you need to replace it. If your asphalt shingle roof is 15 to 20 years old, and you notice damage, it’s time to replace it. You could notice your roof looks green from mold or algae growth, it sags in places, or you notice many missing shingles from multiple areas of your roof.
If you are wondering whether your roof needs repairing or replacing, you’ll want to have your roof inspected. CCR Roofing offers free roof inspections and estimates on roof costs. We can also work with your insurance company to make sure you pay as little out-of-pocket expense as possible. Get in touch with us today.