How Often Do Roofs Need To Be Replaced?
Updated: Mar 27
Whether you just replaced your roof or you’ve been living under the same one for the past decade, knowing when to change it is a must. However, there’s no clear answer regarding how often you need to replace your roof.
On average, a roof must be changed every 20-25 years. The actual expiration date for your roof can be much longer or shorter, depending on the material it’s made from, the weather conditions it faces, as well as the maintenance done to it. These factors can get said date up to 100 years or even down to 10 years.
There’s no need to panic, though. Oftentimes, as long as you take care of minor damage urgently, your roof will last for at least a couple of decades. With that in mind, let’s see when is the right time to replace your roof.
When to Replace a Roof
Roof replacement isn’t a cheap process, so you should know when to replace your roof without risking it collapsing over you. Here are a few signs and factors you should consider in order to find out how often to replace your roof.
Signs That You Need to Replace Your Roof
In general, if you notice any significant structural damage on your roof or water stains on your ceiling and walls, you’ll need to contact a roof replacement expert. That said, here are some giveaway signs that your roof requires a replacement.
Leaking Sunlight or Water: A dead giveaway of significant roof damage is when water leaks into your attic or even your walls. This means that there are large cracks on your roof. Since we don’t see much rainfall in CA, check your attic for any sunlight seeping through the roof, which also indicates roof damage.
Damaged or Missing Shingles: Instead of looking at your attic, you should tackle the issue directly by inspecting your roof. If you notice any missing shingles or much damage in most of them, you should consult a roof replacement service to estimate the damage. You can then decide if you wish to replace your roof or not.
Sagging, Mold, or Moss: Humidity and water are a roof’s worst enemy. At first, these can cause mold to build up alongside moss. If you leave this build-up untreated, it’ll expand internally and cause structural damage, leading to a sagging roof. A replacement is almost always necessary in such cases.
It’s time for a replacement: Sometimes, it’s just time to say goodbye to the old roof shingles. They’ve served you well! If you get your roof checked annually by roofing experts, they’ll let you know when it’s time to replace your roof to avoid it collapsing. But this will come down to your roof’s material.
When to Replace a Roof Based on Its Material
In general, a roof can last between 15-100+ years. The lifespan ranges from about 20 to 30 years when made from asphalt or wood shingles. In contrast, when a roof’s made from clay tiles, metal, or slate, it can last for 50-100 years.
That said, even if you regularly maintain your roof, other factors could reduce its lifespan.
Factors That Can Reduce the Lifespan of a Roof
Weather: When there’s too much humidity, extreme temperature, high winds, or too much sunlight, the shingles will be more prone to damage.
Poor Installation: While this is rare, there are times when your roof was just not properly installed. In such cases, you could either repair some parts of it or fully replace it.
Low Roof Slope: In the odd case of a thunderstorm in CA, having a roof with a low slope will allow the water to remain stagnant. This can then penetrate the shingles, destroying them from the inside.
With all this in mind, let’s check out how long it takes to replace a roof.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Roof
Replacing a roof will usually take 1-2 days, but it can take up to two weeks, depending on your desired roof material. The actual time does come down to a few different factors.
Factors That Can Make Replacing a Roof Last Longer
Material: If you’re opting for asphalt or wooden shingles, you won’t have to wait more than a week for the roof replacement. However, if you choose any form of tiles, metal, or concrete, you’re looking at a minimum of a week, and it can take up to two weeks.
Weather: When there’s a long heatwave outside, roof replacements take much longer. The same goes for extreme weather conditions or too much humidity.
The Best Roof Replacement Service At Your Disposal
Roofs can generally last for a pretty long time if you take good care of them. And, even if you have to replace your roof, the whole process won’t take too long. If your roof has started deteriorating, and you think it’s time to say goodbye to it, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us and we’ll inspect your roof for free. We’ll then decide the best roof replacement service we can provide and ensure that you’ll be admiring your new roof in no time!