How will you know when it’s time to replace your roof?

Deciding when it’s time for roof replacement can be a difficult decision, and it’s one that nearly every homeowner is faced with at least once while living in their home.

To make this decision, it’s important to be prepared with all the right information to ensure you don’t replace your roof too soon or wait too long and risk significant deterioration or more costly roof failure. To help you know when it’s time for roof replacement, our Century roofing contractors have put together a checklist of questions to answer before starting this project.

What material is your roof made of?

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in the United States, but your roof may also be made of rubber, copper, painted steel, aluminum, or slate. Knowing which material your roof is made of will help you assess how long it is supposed to last. This information is especially helpful if you don’t have installation records or a warranty for your current roof.

What is the age of your roof?

When you purchased your home, the age of your roof was likely included in the seller’s disclosure. Look in your home’s sale documents to find this information. If it’s not there, you can make an educated guess based on how long you have been living in your home as well as the visible condition of your roof. You may also be able to find this information in your home inspection report if you had one conducted before purchasing your home. Both the material and the age of your roof can help you decide whether to repair a roof problem or invest in roof replacement.

Do you have a warranty and is the warranty still active?

If your current roof is still under warranty, you may be able to have your roof repaired or replaced at no cost to you, depending on the terms of the warranty. If you’re unsure of what your warranty covers, you can call a Century roofing contractor to assess the condition of your roof and review the warranty with you. You can also contact your original roofing contractor to help you make this determination.

Is there damage to your roof or is your roof failing?

If you’ve had catastrophic damage to your roof caused by a downed tree, a weather event, or other unexpected accident, you’ll need to work with your homeowner’s insurance and go through the proper channels to have your home evaluated for roof repair or roof replacement. For all other roof conditions, such as leaks, missing shingles, sagging, and buckling, you can first do a visual inspection to assess the nature and severity of the damage and then contact a roofing contractor to further assist you in deciding whether the damage can be repaired or if your roof should be replaced.

Because repairing and roof replacement can be a costly decision, it’s important to work with an experienced roofing contractor that you trust to help you assess your roof and make the right choice. Our roofing contractors are always here to help, and we can provide a free estimate for roof repairs or replacement that is good for 90 days.