Have you ever wondered how long a roof will last? If so, this blog post is for you! It’s important to know the lifespan of your roof because it can help determine when to have repairs done. I’m going to tell you about Delaware Roof Repair and what type of roofs are most common in Delaware. We’ll also talk about how often roofs need repair or replacement.
I’ll give you some tips on determining if it’s time for roof repair or replacement, and then we’ll go over some reasons that are commonly given as an excuse not to spend money on necessary repairs (but they’re actually pretty good excuses!). Finally, I’m going to offer up my two cents on whether or not I think homeowners should hire professional help with repairing or replacing their old roofs.
So, how long does a roof last in Delaware?
Roofs have a long lifespan, meaning that they can last for up to twenty or thirty years. But Delaware Roof Repair should be done at least every ten years, and sometimes more often than that if you’re in an area with heavy snowfall or high winds. The Delaware roofing material most frequently used is asphalt shingle because it’s affordable and durable enough to withstand the elements. However, these were not designed for areas where there are frequent powerful storms so some damage may occur over time.
And while asphalt may be the most popular, there are many different kinds of materials that a roof may be made out of. I will go over each one and discuss the longevity of each.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs are usually a very strong material and can last up to 50 years. These roofs offer different colors which may be an attractive feature for those who want that color to make their house ‘pop’. Metal Roofs also come with many different warranties from 15, 20, 25 years up to lifetime guarantees on some metal patinas like black or blue zinc finishing and copper. The downside is that they need regular maintenance so if these are not taken care of properly then it could shorten the life span of this type of roof by as much as half its lifespan.
Metal roofs are constructed from various kinds of metals like tin, aluminum, copper, zinc, and steel. The benefits of these types of properties are that they reflect heat during the summer months and provide an added cooling effect for homeowners. Delaware roofers install metal roofs by securing the material to a building’s ceiling, usually with galvanized nails or screws. As you can imagine, if not taken care of carefully, a metal roof will not last.
Asphalt Roofs
Asphalt roofing materials are installed on homes throughout Delaware and are usually made from recycled materials. These roofs can last up to twenty years before needing repair or replacement, but they don’t hold up well in heavy snow regions of the country. The recycled materials that makeup asphalt may consist of glass fibers or organic material (cellulose fibers).
Asphalt shingles are probably the most common material used when installing a new roof as they offer a good balance of longevity in years and their affordability. To be candid, they are usually a far cheaper option than both slate and tile materials. While these are obvious benefits, they shouldn’t be the only thing that a homeowner will consider.
Slate or Tile Roof
Slate and tile materials should be considered for their durability compared to other options, less expensive options. Their hard textures make them much more impervious to harsher weather conditions than you may find in asphalt. I should mention, however, that even though tile is stronger than others against weather, it can break easily if walked on or if you drop something on it. The weight of the tile and slate are also another factor to consider because they can both be heavy, which could present an issue when installing them onto a steep slope or roofline.
Hard slate can last well over 100 years if taken care of. And tile can usually endure for 50 to 125 years of harsh weather. Because of their tough exterior and long-lasting nature, the cost of installing a slate or tile roof may average between $15 or $25 per square foot. You can usually find these kinds of roofs on larger homes in the Delaware area.
Wood Shake Roof
The last material that we will take a look at is wood shake. Wood shake is a type of roofing that is made from cedar shakes and has an average lifespan of 60 to 100 years. This material can be found in Delaware as well, but it is usually seen on smaller homes because the installation cost could run between $25 or $35 per square foot.
Wood shakes can also cost a little extra because as opposed to wooden shingles, the wood shake is made by hand with powerful tools. This ensures that each roof is as unique and well-made as the next. Delaware homeowners who have gone with this type of material often rave about how beautiful it looks, especially when combined with stone or brick columns for a more traditional look.
How can you tell if it is time for your roof to be replaced?
So now that we know what kinds of roofing there is, how can we tell if it needs to be repaired or replaced…
On average, a Delaware roof is typically replaced every 20-30 years, which means you should have a sense of when it’s time to start looking for an estimate. A good rule of thumb is if your house was built before the 1990s, then chances are already that your roof will need replacing soon. Most houses with asphalt or shingle roofs might go through two replacements within their lifetime; others with metal may only need one replacement as their longevity is much more acceptable to a homeowner in Delaware. As for tile or slate, you can usually tell when it is time to replace your roof if it’s original.
Perhaps you know the history of your home, but if you don’t, here are some tips that may help you determine if you need to call a roofing expert.
- Inspect your attic for water damage. If this is present, then chances are high that moisture has been getting into your roof and rotting away at its insides. This could lead to replacement much sooner than 20 years down the road because once rot starts happening on one section of the home, chances are more damage can easily spread and lead to extra cost.
- Check for mold on the exterior of your home. It’s not just water that can cause rot, humidity, and other structural issues; windows near a chimney or heating vents will also be an issue if they are left open.
- If you have any holes in your roof from hail damage or fallen limbs, then this is another sign to get it inspected sooner rather than later because these types of damages usually mean there are more problems lurking behind them.
- Look at gutters for signs of wear – missing pieces or rusting metal may indicate that something needs replacing up above!
- Look for exposed nails above the soffit area on a house where there are no shingles covering them. Older roofs may have metal covered nails while newer ones may only have plastic coverings that protect against corrosion but not damage from being driven over with a vehicle – this type of nail will often be seen near gutters as well!
What kind of roof do you have?
If you don’t know what kind of material your roof is made of, it can be fairly easy to determine. For instance, your roof may be covered with pieces of material that look like separated tabs covered with tar and shakes. These are most likely made of wood, like shingles or shakes that were once a popular roofing material for Delaware homes before the era of asbestos-free composition shingles in the 1940s.
Similarly, if these tabs do not appear to be made of wood, more than likely they are an asphalt material.
Additionally, if your house is flat with no space between it and its neighbors then you probably have asphalt shingles on your home’s roof. You can tell this by looking at how many layers there are – generally, roofs with fewer than three layers will be composed of asphalt which has become more common in Delaware as homeowners seek out cheaper ways to keep their homes cool during summer months while avoiding higher utility bills from air conditioning usage!
Metal roofs often come covered with an underlayment such as felt paper or tar. Its surface should be smooth to the touch unless it is showing signs of rust. Metal roofing can be attractive and may not always be the easiest to determine the age but this is when a professional comes in handy. Someone properly trained to inspect Delaware roofing materials will know what to look for and how to determine the age and material of your roof.
As for slate and tile shingles, you can recognize these by their tendency to crack, split and crumble when aged.
Finally, wood shakes are easy to spot because they are hand made and their edges are not as smooth or clean-cut as wood shingles appear, hence their custom appeal.
Reasons why you may push out replacing a roof
You’ve noticed the cracks and maybe you’ve seen a wet spot or two in the attic, but you still don’t call for help. Some of the more common reasons we hear customers not wanting to repair or replace their roof are the following:
- It’s not that bad yet
- We can’t afford it.
- It’s too much work to do myself and I’m not that handy with a toolbox.
- I’ll just patch up the roof for now, then we’ll replace it in the next year or two when I need it.
Regardless of what your reasoning is, Calahan Bath and Kitchen roofing contractors have been helping customers for years who have put off getting their roof repaired because they believed one of these reasons above before finally calling us for help! We understand why people are so reluctant:
- The cost, especially if they don’t know how old their roof is;
- It seems like such a huge project;
- They’re not sure where to start
These are all valid concerns and we value them as much as you value your home.
My two cents
If you find a leak in your roof or you notice shingles are coming off, it’s always best to get in touch with a Delaware roof repair company as soon as possible.
We understand wanting to avoid the cost of getting your roof repaired or replaced but this could have much more detrimental effects on you and your family than just repairing or replacing your roof! Roof leaks can cause structural damage that will be costly and time-consuming for Delaware homeowners who need help from us – so don’t wait until it’s too late!
If you want to take advantage of our free estimate, just call Calahan Bath and Kitchen at (855) 700-2284 and our roofing experts will come out to your house for an estimate.
We can explain what kind of roof you have, how old it is, the different materials that are used in construction, possible signs that need attention right away – like leaks or shingle loss – as well as help you decide between a simple repair or full replacement!
If you still have more questions, check out our service page here or send us a message.
