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Whether getting a roof replacement or simple repairs, discover four reasons to share an insurer's roofing estimate with your roofing company. Learn more!

Discover our five essential tips for roof protection in cold weather and how to prevent damaging ice dams. Prevention steps are vital. Learn more!

Before you hire someone to work on your roof, here are the top 5 risks of working with cheap roofing contractors and how to avoid them. Learn more!

Have you ever asked the question, “When does a roof need to be replaced?” If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners wonder about when to replace a roof. When it comes to roof damage, you have to look at roof repairs versus a full roof replacement . If you are concerned about a leaky or damaged roof, read more about our tips for determining the extent of your potential roof deterioration. 1. Check for debris in your yard after a storm. Severe weather is the most common cause of roof repairs . Depending on where you live in the country, you could potentially experience heavy snows, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and hail. All of these types of weather conditions can damage your roof. We always tell our clients to take stock of any debris that they find in their yard after a strong storm. If you have an asphalt shingle roof, check to see if there are any missing shingles lying in your yard. Roof repairs versus a roof replacement varies between different types of roofs . Most damage on an asphalt roof can be repaired by a roofing company, which is considerably less expensive than a roof replacement. For other types of roofs like metal, you might have to choose a full roof replacement depending on the extent of the damage.

How often do roofs need to be replaced? If you’ve owned your house for years or if you’ve just purchased a new home, you might be asking this question. This blog will help outline the different roof lifespans depending on roof material. Keeping track of your roof’s age is important to maintain the integrity of your home. In this post, our team at Duluth Roofing provides information on warning signs of a damaged roof. What is your Roof Lifespan? The lifespan of a roof depends on the type of material used . More economical options, like asphalt shingles, have a shorter roof lifespan than a more expensive material like metal. In our recent blog post, we discussed the top three types of roofing material and how to choose the best option for your home. For residential houses, the top three options are asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and cedar shake. If you have a commercial building or flat top roof, EPDM rubber roofing is a long-lasting, low maintenance option. Lifespans of Popular Roofs  Asphalt Shingles – 20 to 25 years Metal Roofs – 50+ years Cedar Shake – 30+ years EPDM Rubber Roofs – 50+ years How to Find Out the Age of a Roof When you buy a home, one of the first things you need to find out is the roof age. If a previous homeowner replaced the roof, ask the realtor to find out the year that the roof replacement occurred. If there are no records of a roof replacement , here are options for determining the remaining lifespan of a roof. Obtain the Building Permit Go to the city hall in your jurisdiction. Ask the clerk to see the building permit on file for your home. Find the year that the building permit was issued to determine the age of a roof. Visual Survey by a Professional If the building permit is unclear about the age of your roof or the records no longer exist, contact your local roofing contractor to conduct a visual survey of your roof in order to estimate the age. To ensure the safety of your home and overall integrity of your roof, the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends hiring a professional to conduct a roof inspection twice a year. Why Do Roof Lifespans and Roof Replacements Matter? If you don’t keep track of the age of your roof and schedule a full roof replacement when needed, you can face severe consequences. The primary purpose of a roof is to protect everything beneath it, like your family members and possessions. If a roof is unstable or damaged, you could have water damage or framing instability. A leaky roof can lead to ceiling and drywall rot and potential flooding in severe weather. Your roof is the most important aspect of your home, so it’s vital to prioritize its upkeep. Roof Damage to Watch For That Could Require a Roof Replacement Sometimes, you must replace or repair a roof before the end of its lifespan. As a roof ages, the material wears out and could become unstable. If you own an asphalt shingle house, watch for curling shingles and missing granules . Both are signs of an aging roof. For more severe cases of roof damage, watch for any signs of water in the attic or drywall. If you notice soggy insulation or wet spots on the ceiling, call your local roofing company. For homes in cold weather climates, keep an eye out for ice dams that could indicate roof ventilation issues. raph