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.
