Residential roof replacements typically become necessary between twenty-five and fifty years after the original roof installation. Many different things can affect how long your roof will last, but the best way to determine the condition and life expectancy of the roof is to have a roof inspection every few years. 

Roof Age 

If your home's roof is more than twenty years old, it is a good idea to have it inspected for damage, leaks, or wear that you can't see. A roof inspection involves checking the roofing materials, inspecting the underside of the structure, and checking all the areas where flashing is installed. 

The roof may not have any leaks, but a shingle roof can start to dry out in the sun, and the material may crack and roll up. The shingles may come loose once they become brittle, and once they do, water can get into the home through the gaps, causing damage to the wood structure. 

The older the roof is, the more likely this is to happen, and eventually, a residential roof replacement will be the only way to fix it. If you start monitoring it early, you may catch the problems before they become bad enough to damage the structure and reduce the cost of repairs.

Roof Replacement

Once the roof condition has deteriorated enough to require a residential roof replacement, you will need a roofing contractor to strip the old material and replace it. Asphalt shingles are often used on residential roofs, but there are other materials that you can use that are as durable and may look nicer on your home. 

Before the new roofing can go on the house, the old material will need to be pulled off the wood substrate that makes up the roof's structure. If there are issues with the wood, the contractor will replace it with new plywood or strand board, then cover it all with felt paper or a vapor barrier that overlaps itself to eliminate gaps and repel any water that gets through the shingles.

The roofing material goes over the paper or vapor barrier, and all of the seams are sealed to ensure the roof is watertight. The residential roof replacement will typically take a week or two to complete. However, in large houses, it can take some additional time. 

The roofing material you select can also affect how long the work takes and the final cost of the roof replacement on your home. Once the roof is complete, the contractor should warranty the repairs for a few years, and the roofing material will also carry a warranty, so be sure to keep a record of when the roof was installed, who did the work, and what material was used for your residential roof replacement.

Contact a service provider if you are thinking about having a roof replacement.