It may not seem like much, but a well-maintained roof ensures the safety, security, and comfort of your home while adding to its curb appeal. Without it, you will face immense threats from outside elements, such as weather and pests, struggle to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, and incur costly repairs due to frequent water damage. But even the best roofs won’t last forever, and after some time, you may be wondering when to replace roof tiles or the entire roofline.
Because we often have to crane our heads to take a good look at our home’s roofline, it can be hard to take a real good look at it, making it hard to tell at times when to replace roof tile, shingles, or the entire roofing system, or when you just need repairs. As your home insurance experts, the brokerage team at Morison Insurance wants your roof to stay strong and protect your home for years to come, so we shared this list of things that indicate when to replace roofing on your home.
Different roofs will have different average lifespans, so it’s not uncommon to be searching for answers to “how long does a shingle roof last” or “how long do asphalt shingles last”. Most roofing systems will last between 15 and 50 years, depending on the roofing material and receiving proper care.
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof found on Ontario homes, known for their affordability, easy installation, and come in a wide range of different styles and colours, including architectural shingle options that mimic high-end roof materials such as wood and slate. Asphalt shingles' lifespan is about 15 to 30 years, provided you perform regular maintenance, although some asphalt roof varieties can last up to 50 years before you should consider getting a complete roof replacement.
Metal roofs, such as steel, aluminum, and seam metal roofs, are also popular choices for homeowners due to their durability, weather resistance, and long lifespan of approximately 40 to 70 years.
Wood shingles and tiles, such as cedar shake roofs, are a more expensive roof type, but provide natural beauty and durability to any home, lasting about 40 to 50 years before it's time for roof replacement.
While there are plenty of other common roofing materials, such as clay tile roof, concrete tile roofs, slate roofs, rubber, composite shingles, and TPO or PVC flat roofs, it’s important to note that no matter what type of roof you have, if you don’t provide it with proper maintenance or timely roof repairs, you will be lucky to have it last a decade. Maintenance tasks such as cleaning gutters, removing moss and unwanted growth, and performing regular inspections will ensure you get the most out of your residential roofing system.
Unless a major storm, heavy rainfall, or other extreme weather conditions just passed through your area, you likely won’t just wake up in the morning to discover you need to replace your roof. There are a fair number of warning signs that will indicate when to replace asphalt shingle roofs or other types of roofing systems including increased energy bills, water damage, visible damage and more.
If your monthly heating or cooling costs are increasing for no apparent reason, your temperate air is likely escaping from your home somewhere, and the likely culprits are your roof covering, windows, and doors. Check your roof for signs of damage, as a damaged roof will result in poor insulation, making your HVAC system work harder to compensate during hot or cold weather.
If the support beams holding up your roof are starting to sag or show evidence of moisture damage, you will likely need to replace the entire roof deck and your shingles to properly address the structural damage.
Water is one of the damaging elements to a home, causing issues with rot, fungi, mold, and bacterial growth. Depending on how extensive the damage is, it will indicate when to replace roof systems. Some key signs of moisture damage include a wet appearance to the shingles or tiles, water stains, curling, bent, or broken shingles, as well as fascia and roof leaks.
Moss, mildew, and algae growth are also clear indicators of how to know when to replace roof shingles, as this unwanted growth means there’s often trapped moisture on your roof surface and other water-related issues.
Turn off your top-floor lights, and when the sun is setting, look for light penetrating through your roof. If there is, it’s a clear sign of how to know when to replace roof shingles. Not only will these holes let in light, but they can also reduce the energy efficiency of your roof and allow for leaky roof issues such as fungi and mold growth.
A roof plays a major role in your home’s curb appeal, and if it’s showing its age or looks shabby, it could indicate hidden damage. Many roofs come with 20 or 25-year warranties, so even if yours has a longer expected lifespan, when considering how often to replace roof shingles, in it may be worthwhile to go ahead with replacement.
Watch out for any cracked, torn, bald, or missing shingles, as well as for signs of moisture damage and other forms of visible damage, to determine when to replace shingles or the roof structure.
Evidence of shingle deterioration, such as shingle granule loss or little pieces of shingle that look like dark, coarse sand, is a clear sign of when to replace shingles. If you spot loose granules in gutters, your yard, or if they even come off on your roof, it's time to schedule replacement.
Metal roofs can also face issues with corrosion or rust, making it important to seal them to prevent further deterioration and structural issues.
The flashings around skylights, roof valleys, eaves, rakes, chimney stacks, and other details on your home’s roof can become separated due to general expansion and contraction caused by extreme temperature swings, or become otherwise damaged by storm damage or pests, causing fasteners to loosen and the bottom flashing to lift, allowing for water leaks.
Gutter and downspout damage and blockages can cause water to backflow and pool onto your roof, increasing the risk of roof damage and requiring you to schedule when to replace roof system. Keeping your gutter system free and clear of clogs and debris will go a long way in preventing this.
As outlined above, you can often tell when to replace roof shingles or systems in their entirety through visual or physical cues. If you are experiencing the above issues, it’s a clear sign you need to start considering when to replace roof shingles, shakes, tiles, and other parts of the roofing system.
However, most homeowners would prefer not to have to undergo the hassle of replacing a roof every few years. That’s why regular roof maintenance is so important. Not only do they help you prevent major damage, but these tasks can also help you address minor repairs early on before they result in costly repairs or a complete roof failure.
Some ways you can maintain your roof include:
If you are DIYing periodic maintenance, make sure you have the proper safety equipment and a friend to spot you on the ladder. Otherwise, especially if you aren’t comfortable with heights, it’s best to have a professional roofing contractor from a trusted roofing company do a professional inspection and take care of your roofing project. This ensures everyone’s safety while protecting the integrity of your roof.
This content is written by our Morison Insurance team. All
information posted is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is
not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act
upon any information in this article, you do so at your own risk. While the
information on this website has been verified to the best of our abilities, we
cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
