The roof over a house may seem like a part that will last for as long as the house does. But this isn’t true. Roofs have limited lives, and in most cases a roof will last for 16 to 18 years, even though they’re called “30-year roofs.” The lifespan of a roof can also drop because of serious damage from wind and hail, or because of lack of repairs that allowed water to seep into the roof underlayment.
A roof replacement in Katy, TX is a big job and not something you’ll want to undertake unless you need to. But when do you need to? We’re roofing professionals with many years of experience with repair and replacement, and we can shine some light on this topic to help you better understand when you need a new roof.
Roof Age
If your roof is less than 10 years old, we recommend having it repaired if it suffers storm damage—provided the damage is restricted to damage shingles or a single area (such as a tree falling on the roof). For these roofs, the other shingles will still be in generally good condition and the repair costs lower. Once a roof is over 10 years, the shingle will start to become brittle from general exposure. This makes repairs less cost-effective because the repairs have a higher chance of creating damage to the other shingles. This is the point when we recommend you start considering a replacement rather than repairs for damage.
If you have a roof that’s more than 25 years old, we strongly advise having it replaced, even if it doesn’t have damage and otherwise appears to be in good shape. A roof that’s this old was likely made from less durable material than current roofing materials.
Signs of Major Damage
Now you have an idea of how old your roof needs to be before you consider having it replaced. After a storm or any incident that might have harmed the roof, check for damage. Don’t actually get on the roof, but climb up a ladder so you can survey it. Look for cracked or shattered shingles, missing shingles, damage to the flashing, streaking and staining, and exposed nails. If you see damage like this, have a professional roof inspection done ASAP, and your roofers can tell you if a replacement is a better idea.
Replacement With an Insurance Claim
If you’re hoping to use an insurance claim for a roof replacement, we recommend that you have it done when the roof is between 10–15 years old. If you are planning to pay out of pocket, then the best time is between 16–18 years. If you’re looking to file an insurance claim for the replacement, please contact our team. We’re experts when it comes to working with insurance companies and we’ve helped many homeowners get their claims approved.
Because of the nature of our local weather, there’s no “season” for roof replacement—our roofers can handle a replacement at any time of the year. As soon as you believe you may need a new roof, contact us. We can conduct a roof inspection and give you advice regarding whether repairs or a replacement is the best option for you.
Rely on Reign Roofing for all your roofing repair and replacement needs. Redefining the Roof Buying Process!