How Often Should I Replace My Roof?

How often do I need to replace my roof?

How Often Should I Replace My Roof?

While it’s easy to neglect, maintaining your roof is very important for the well-being of your home. Your roof stands as the first and last line of defense against the elements of nature, so it’s important to routinely examine it. However, depending on the type of roof you have, it will only last so long. It’s important to replace your roof every so often to avoid constant water damage, roof leaks, and more. When you ask yourself, “How often should I replace my roof?” we have the answers at Van Martin.

What Type of Roof Do You Have?

The first factor in determining how often you should replace your roof is the material. Different roofing materials have different lifespans. While it’s not that simple, you should generally replace your roof around the end of its lifespan. Therefore we’ve listed the most common roofing materials in the Dayton, Ohio area and their lifespans below:

  • EPDM (type of flat roofing material): 10-16 years
  • Modified Bitumen (type of flat roofing material): 10-16 years
  • PVC (type of flat roofing material): 15-30 years
  • TPO (type of flat roofing material): 20-30 years
  • Metal Roof: 40-75 years
  • Asphalt Shingle Roof: 15-30 years

The lifespan of your roof is important when asking yourself how often you should replace your roof, however, it’s not the only factor. There are several other things to keep in mind, such as the weather of the region, how often maintenance is performed, and how well the roof was initially installed. 

Other Issues That Shorten Your Roof’s Lifespan

The type of material isn’t the only factor that determines the longevity of your roof. For example, your roof will need to be replaced more often depending on the area where you live. Regions that experience torrential rain, harsh sunlight, and heavy winds will have to have their roof replaced more often than not. On the other hand, regions that experience mild rain, rainfall, and sunlight will have their roofs last longer than most. 

Another issue that shortens your roof’s lifespan is how often you’re maintaining it. It’s a good idea to not only hire a roofer near you for maintenance but to also enlist aid for preventative maintenance. Preventative maintenance goes a long way in extending the lifespan of your roof. For those interested, Van Martin offers the Vanguard Preventative Maintenance Program, which gives you access to bi-annual inspections, detailed reports, and 24/7 emergency roof repairs. 

Preventative maintenance is great, but it doesn’t mean anything on a poorly installed roof. When a roofing contractor performs a shoddy roof installation, the only remedy is to remove it entirely and replace it anew. 

Was The Roof Installed Properly?

The way your roof was installed plays a huge role in its longevity. There are several ways to tell whether or not your roof was installed properly. For starters, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does my roof have a uniform look?
      • Every roofing square foot should look identical on your property. When something looks discolored, sagging, or something else that makes it stand out, it’s a sign that your roof wasn’t installed properly.
  • How often am I experiencing roof leaks?
      • While it’s impossible to prevent every single problem, ideally roof leaks should only happen when you incur storm damage. When you’re constantly dealing with a leaky roof, that means something went wrong during its initial installation.
  • Are there any significant gaps in the roof?
    • Large gaps on your roof are ways water makes its way into your home. When you notice gaps, it’s a sign that an under-experienced roofing contractor was working for you.

When you find yourself unable to answer these questions, contact the professionals at Van Martin. Our experts will perform a roof inspection for you, and tell you the exact condition of your roof, how well it was installed, and when you should schedule your next roof replacement. When you want the job done right the first time, contact the team members at Van Martin for a roof replacement in Dayton, Ohio. 

Why Choose Van Martin?

Van Martin is a trusted roofing company in Dayton, Ohio that gives back to the community. Our “On The House” program gives a completely free roof replacement to anyone in need once per quarter. We not only care about providing you with quality roofing services but also make it a seamless, easy experience for you.

We also offer several workmanship and manufacturer warranties for our customers, to protect your investment in the long run. After all, it’s our goal to assist all home and business owners in Southwestern Ohio to make the best decisions with their roofing and related systems. Whether you have a residential, commercial, or industrial roofing system, we’ll assist with repairs, replacements, and restorations. So give us a call today!