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How Often Should You Replace Your Property’s Roof?

A person working on the roof of a house. Investors must prioritize maintaining their rental properties, particularly the roofs of single-family homes. Quality roofs are long-lasting, but ultimately, all roofs need to be reshingled.

When should you consider reshingling your rental property’s roof? First, obtain crucial information including the age, condition, and material type of the roof to answer this question.

Understanding Roof Lifespan

Reshingling is central to roof maintenance in property management, crucial for maintaining the roof’s longevity and structural integrity. It is vital to comprehend what influences a roof’s lifespan and to recognize the indicators that suggest reshingling is necessary for proactive maintenance.

Factors such as the roofing material, local climate, maintenance levels, and the roof’s age all contribute to its longevity. Conducting regular inspections helps detect wear and tear signs like leaks, curling shingles, or granule loss, which suggest the need for reshingling.

Determining Frequency of Reshingling

Shingles usually last 20 years, so if your roof is older, it might be time to plan for a new one. Keeping up with regular roof inspections is essential, even if the roof isn’t very old, to maintain its condition. Roofing experts at the National Roofing Contractors Association recommend inspecting your roof twice each year. You may choose to do these inspections yourself or opt for a professional to undertake them on your behalf.

Planning for replacement costs can be done in advance, depending on the shingle type your roof has. While composition shingles usually last up to 20 years, asphalt shingles may last as long as 30 years. Wood shingles generally endure for about 20 to 25 years, placing them in the mid-range category. Although minor repairs can extend a roof’s lifespan, a time will come when it needs to be fully reshingled.

Harsh climates involving bitter winters, robust winds, and persistent humidity can increase roof wear, thus reducing shingle durability. Frequent roof inspections are necessary for properties in areas subject to storms or extreme weather to keep them structurally sound.

Signs a Roof Might Need Reshingling

During roof inspections, either you or your contractor should be vigilant for common failure signs. Curled, buckled, or missing shingles are clear indications that a replacement might be required. Major indicators of roof failure are sagging, the presence of holes, or signs of water damage. It is advisable to also look for wood rot and mold, which can damage more than the shingles. With regular inspections, small problems can be detected and addressed early.

Implementing Preventative Maintenance

It’s important to carry out routine roof inspections and maintenance to catch and resolve small issues before they become major.

Quick resolution of minor problems, such as replacing damaged shingles and fixing leaks, prevents water entry and protects the structure. It is crucial to remove debris and maintain gutters to stop water buildup and extend the roof’s lifespan.

Taking proactive steps in roof maintenance enhances the property’s value and attractiveness to potential tenants, protecting your investment.

A secure roof is crucial for protecting your investment, your tenants, and their possessions in your rental property. A proactive approach to roof maintenance is essential, rather than waiting for issues to occur. If you maintain your roof well, you won’t have to guess when it’s time to replace the shingles; you’ll simply know.

At Real Property Management South Orlando, we handle the scheduling and coordination of maintenance for our clients’ properties. Contact us or call 407-982-2000 to see how we can make your life easier with our expert property management services in Windermere and nearby.

 

Originally Published on September 11, 2020

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