As a homeowner, you are well aware of routine maintenance measures that you are required to carry out so as to keep your home in good and safe conditions. You do know that the roof must be frequently checked, repairs made and now you are wondering about how frequent do homeowners need roof upgrades? Well read on and find out.
The frequency of roof upgrades depends on several factors: the type of roofing material used and the weather/climate conditions. For example, asphalt shingles can last fifteen to twenty years for instance while tiles can last twenty-five to fifty years. However, regardless of the type of roofing used, one still needs to know how frequently the roofing needs to be upgraded as a homeowner.
1. Natural Events
The rate at which a roof needs to be upgraded depends on the weather/climate conditions of an area and if natural disasters such as flooding, storms, hurricanes, typhoons, and so on are frequent occurrences in the area. When natural disasters strike, buildings often get hit on the roof by falling trees, debris, etc. sustaining immense damages. The damage sustained can vary in intensity. The roofing will need to be repaired and upgraded regardless of its previous condition.
2. Exposure to the Elements
Prolonged exposure to the elements can affect the longevity or durability of a roof and how frequent homeowners need roof upgrades. Exposure to heat, winds, sunlight etc. can cause roofing materials to crack, weaken or damage the structural integrity of the roofing. When this goes on for long, the damage often worsens and can pose a safety risk to the occupants of the house. In such cases, the roof needs to be upgraded often earlier than expected.
3. The Frequency of Maintenance
How frequently a homeowner needs a roof upgrade depends a lot on how often the homeowner maintains the house. When neglected, small damage can quickly become a very expensive issue that needs to be fixed to avoid posing a risk to the homeowner or his family. For example, a leaking roof that is neglected can quickly cause mold, mildew, fire and safety hazards as electrical fixtures might come into contact with water.
This means that a good homeowner needs routine roof checks and repairs, an annual inspection by a roofing contractor, and other preventive measures. Branches that are close to the house should be trimmed to avoid leaves clogging the gutters, brushing against the walls and roof and tree limbs falling onto the roof. Thus the frequency of maintenance can be a direct indicator of how frequent do homeowners need roof upgrades.
Conclusion
To sum up, the frequency of roof upgrades needed depends on several factors such as prolonged exposure to the elements, natural disasters, how frequently the homeowner inspects and cares for his roof. In general, roofs are designed to last several years and withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Thus a good rule of thumb is to inspect and make minor upgrades twice a year and have a roofing expert inspect the condition of the roof once a year. Depending on the quality of the roofing material, the quality of the workmanship and regular maintenance, a homeowner may only need to have minor upgrades done annually in the best of cases.