A commonly asked question of homeowners is “how often do roofs need to be replaced in Minnesota?” Well, this usually depends as the first question you must ask is what type of roofing material does your home have? If you don’t know and aren’t sure, you can call in an expert roof inspector to assess it. To give you an idea, here are the estimated lifespan of common roof types in Minnesota. This is for both residential and commercial roofing.
Asphalt Shingles: About 20 years
Rubber Shingles: About 30 years
Wood Shingles: 30-40 years
Concrete Tiles: About 50 years
Metal Roofs: 40-70 years
However, it’s worth noting that these lifespan can vary depending on the climate that the roof is exposed to. Severe winters and humidity may wear out the materials more quickly. After a severe storm or high winds, it is good to get on the roof and check for any damage.
However, once you’re aware of the type of material, you roof is comprised of, you can easily be checkout your roof for warning signs to see if it might actually be at the end of its lifespan.
Common signs that indicate the need for roof replacement in Minnesota
How Often Do Roofs Need To Be Replaced?
There are some general signs that indicate that your roof needs to be replaced, most of which are fairly obvious.
Shingles curling and buckling
This is a main sign that you may need replacing. If you check the slopes of your home that get direct sunlight and notice that the shingles are curling and losing granules, this probably means they are way beyond their life expectancy.
Roof valleys
Another crucial point to check for is the roof valleys as they are one of the most important areas of your roof. This is because snow and rain usually end up flowing through valleys and into gutters. If the valley is damaged, there’s a high risk of experiencing roof leaks.
Missing shingles
Missing shingles are another key indicator. Homeowners must ensure that the, roof shingle “tabs” are intact otherwise replacement may be necessary.
Damaged flashing
Loose flashing is another common problem as this can cause water to seep, leak inside your walls and ceilings and cause extensive damage such as mold and mildew growth and rotted wood, which can cause irreparable damage to your roofing structure.
Mold and moss growth
Check your roof and look for tiles that show signs of algae growth. Deal with this as soon as you can; if you don’t, bacteria and fungi could grow and cause water damage to your roof. If you find several spots of mold or mildew and growth, then a roof replacement may be required.
Shingle granules in the gutters
Asses your roof gutters to see if there’s any remnants of shingle granules. As roof’s move nearer to the end of their lifespan, they tend to lose more granules. Moreover, inconsistent or darker colors on certain points of the roof are a clear indication of granule wear.
Daylight through the roof boards
Daylight Through The Roof Boards
Light coming in from your roof automatically means there are holes and cracks in you roofs. Go into your attic and assess if there is any daylight passing through the boards. You can also access, for moisture in the insulation.
However, in some cases, it’s important to note that even if you’ve inspected the roof yourself and have noticed water damage, a leak, or missing shingles, your mind might automatically jump to a roof replacement when one is not needed.
Only a professional, trained inspector can officially let you know when your home or business is in true need of its entire roof to be replaced instead of its shingles repaired.
Also, it’s important to have your roof inspected as this does extend its lifetime, allowing you to put off having it replaced in its entirety for a while longer.
