If you’ve lived in Winston-Salem or Greensboro for more than a few years, you’ve seen the growth. New developments, roads, and schools seem to be popping up regularly. If you look at US Census data, this isn’t a new trend. In fact, our area has more than doubled in population since the 1950’s. In the 1950 census, the Piedmont Triad was an area of about a 700,000 people. Today our population has added nearly a million people in not quite 70 years. A lot of our growth happened in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Because of this many people’s homes are in need of a roof replacement.
Today’s blog, Part 1, is for homes less than 20 years old. Keep in mind as you read this that not all the information is true for all roofing, but more of a general guideline to help the majority of homeowners. Different roofing materials, brands, and how you’ve maintained your roof impacts the timeline for a roof replacement. As does the weather and other environmental factors.
Less Than 20 Years Old
They typical life cycle of a 3-tab asphalt shingle roof is between 13 and 20 years. You can help your roof last as long as possible by doing the following:
- Keep your roof clean – debris laying on the roof’s surface causes it to break down more quickly than a clean roof.
- Clean your gutters – when gutters are full, rain and snow back up allowing the shingles at the roof’s edge to sit in water and degrade. If we go through a freeze-thaw cycle after snow, ice dams may form causing further damage to your shingles.
- Have regular roofing inspections – regular inspections catch small roofing issues before they turn into a bit roof leak. If your roofing company recommends a repair, don’t put it off, the problem will only get bigger.
When it comes time for a roof replacement, ask the roofing company you’re considering if they’re planning on doing an overlay or tear off. There are differences and although the cost is higher to do a tear off, the new roofing will last longer. Also, consider architectural shingles as they have a longer life expectancy.
If you haven’t had a roof inspection or think you need a roof repair company, call Cooley Roofing and Construction. We’re local, licensed, and insured and ready to be your roofing company. We also install replacement windows and new siding. Call 366-766-6488 to schedule your appointment today.
In Part 1 of our two part blog about the age of your home and your roofing, we talked about homes less than 20 years old and the roof. Today’s blog covers older homes as there are significant differences when it comes to a roof replacement with an older roof.
We’ll make the same disclaimer in that not all information is true of all roofs. Weather, debris, maintenance, and materials all age a roof differently. The only true way to know if you need a roof replacement is to contact your local roofing contractor for an inspection.
20 – 40 Year Old Roofs
By the time your roof is over 20 years old, it has likely been replaced once. During that roof replacement your roofing contractor either did an overlay, installed the new shingles on top of the old ones, or a tear off where they stripped the roof to the roofing deck. When it comes time for your second roof replacement you’ll have to do a tear off. Local codes don’t allow for more than two layers of shingles on a roof at one time. This is mostly due to the weight of a layer of shingles.
When it comes time for your roof replacement, you want the roofing contractor to inspect your roof deck. Your shingles are affixed to the roof deck, which is made of either 1 X 6 boards or plywood depending upon the construction of your home. Rarely will you replace the entire roof deck, but your roofer may find some roof deck damage and recommend replacing some sections.
No matter how old your roof is, you’ll want to schedule regular inspections and maintenance. Many homeowners perform much of their own maintenance. Start by keeping your roof’s surface free from debris like branches, leaves, and other tree littler like seed pods. You can do this either by removing things by hand or using a blower and a hose. Never use a pressure washer on an asphalt shingle roof! Next, keep your gutters clean. Clean gutters allow them to work as they should, helping to prevent damage to the shingles on the roof’s edge.
Cooley Roofing – Your Local Roofing Contractor
If your roof is aging and you aren’t sure when the last roof inspection was or when the roof was replaced, call Cooley Roofing and Construction. We can evaluate your roof and let you know if you need roof repair and when you may need a roof replacement. Our services include residential and commercial roofing as well as replacement windows and new siding. Call 366-766-6488 to schedule your no obligation inspection today.
