What is the Lifespan of a New Roof

New roofs are expensive and will be protecting your home for the foreseeable future. Most homeowners choose either an asphalt roof, wood shake roof, metal roof, or clay tile roof. While these are all viable roofing options, they each will vary in durability, looks, and price. For the most part, as price increases, the durability and lifespan of each roof will increase. So, what are the lifespans of the most common roofing choices?

Essentially the base model, asphalt shingle roofs are inexpensive, but they certainly get the job done. They perform so well, in fact, that these roofs are the most common choice for residential buildings. With their low price tags, these roofs will last roughly 15 to 20 years.

Wood shake roofs look great and are more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs. While they do require a significant amount of maintenance, they can last for approximately 30 years.

Metal roofs are more expensive, but the high cost is worth it. Metal roofs have been shown to last for 40 to 50 years. Some have lasted even longer.

Clay tile roofs are a premium style of roofing. These roofs have a high cost, but have a lifespan of over 50 years. Additionally, they naturally ventilate your roof, they are very durable, and they hold their color well.

Common Roofing Problems

Every homeowner, at some point or another, will have problems with their roof. Time and elements can really take a toll on a roof. What is important, however, is being prepared for these problems. By knowing what types of problems may come your way, you can have a plan ready to make repairs. So, here are some of the most common roofing problems.

One of the most common roofing problems is leaking. High winds, hail, heavy rain, snow, and ice can all allow water to leak through your roof and into your home.

Animals can find their way into your home, particularly in the wintertime. They can crawl through your vents and take refuge from the cold weather outside. This can foster diseases in your home and they can cause substantial damage in your attic too.

Improper ventilation is fairly common as well. Ventilation works to keep warm air out of your attic by drawing in cool air and releasing the warm air at the top. If you notice abnormally high energy bills, chances are you need to get your ventilation fixed.

Finally, many roof problems can be caused by poor installation. Improper ventilation, roof leaks, and buckling roofs can all be caused by shoddy workmanship. If you are looking to have a new roof installed, make sure to research roofers to find one who is licensed and does quality work.

The Impact of Hail

Hail can severely damage the roof of your home, but it does not always cause severe damage. The level of damage will vary depending on the size of the hail and the durability of your roof. Small hail can simply knock a few granules off your roof, but large hail can cause severe damage to your roof. How does hail damage differ at each size?

Hail can vary drastically in size. The smallest hail will be roughly pea-sized while large hail can be softball-sized. Most storms will produce pea or dime-sized hail, which can take a few granules off your shingles. As your shingles lose granules, they can decay more quickly. They become more exposed to the sun and other elements and damage can occur.

Marble-sized hail can actually dent your shingles. If you perform a roof inspection after a storm and notice dents or little holes in your shingles, they were probably caused by marble-sized hail.
Softball-sized hail is the most serious. This is extremely rare, but softball-sized hail can damage the integrity of your roof and break your decking.

Signs of Hail Damage

Severe storm season brings powerful storms which cause hail. Just about everyone has experienced hail damage on their cars or on other objects that remain outdoors. Hail can also cause extensive damage to your roof, but it is not always easy to spot. So, what are some ways you can tell if your roof has hail damage?

An easy to spot sign of hail damage is dented gutters. While this does not show with certainty that the roof has been damaged, it gives a pretty good indication.

Once you climb up on your roof, you should check your vents. If you spot chipped or dinged vents, you should have them replaced and continue searching your roof for further damage.

Sometimes, unfortunately, hail can cause damage to your shingles. Most of the time you can spot this damage by seeing missing granules on your shingles or seeing divots in the shingles. This damage can lead to leaks in your home and high energy bills.

Hail damage is not always easy to spot on your shingles, and it can be dangerous to climb up on your roof. Have a professional inspect your roof to get an accurate assessment of your roof’s hail damage.

Rule of Thumb: Hire a Professional Roofing Contractor

Whether it be due to a storm, high winds, or time, you may notice small leaks in your roof from time to time. It may be tempting to fix these small leaks on your own since they can usually be repaired inexpensively and do not require large amounts of labor. While it may be tempting to fix them on your own, you should always hire a professional. For further clarification, here are a few reasons why it is a good idea to hire a professional roofer.

Any unrepaired or improperly repaired roof leaks can lead to very serious damage in your home. Even the smallest of leaks can lead to damaged dry wall, damaged paint, and even to dry rot. In addition, they can damage your electrical work, damage your insulation, and cause health hazards like mold growth.

A professional will be able to fix your leaks in a timely manner and in a way that actually solves the problem and does not just cover it up. They will also be able to locate the source of the problem and fix any and all damage the leak caused. If any of this is done incorrectly, it can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. It is always best to hire a professional in the first place.

If you have any further questions regarding our common roofing information, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.