An investor’s duty includes keeping their rental property in prime condition, starting with the roof in the case of single-family homes. Even the best roofs will eventually need reshingling, despite lasting for many years.
What is the recommended frequency for reshingling the roof of your rental property? First, obtain crucial information including the age, condition, and material type of the roof to answer this question.
Understanding Roof Lifespan
A fundamental aspect of property management is roof maintenance, where reshingling plays a critical role in keeping the roof structurally sound and durable. It is vital to comprehend what influences a roof’s lifespan and to recognize the indicators that suggest reshingling is necessary for proactive maintenance.
A roof’s durability is influenced by factors like the materials used, the area’s climate, maintenance standards, and the roof’s age. Routine inspections are useful for spotting wear and tear signs—leaks, curling shingles, or granule loss—signaling that reshingling might be required.
Determining Frequency of Reshingling
Since most shingles last around 20 years, an older roof likely necessitates planning for replacement. Conducting regular inspections is key to maintaining your roof in good condition, no matter its age. The National Roofing Contractors Association suggests conducting roof inspections twice annually. Inspections can be conducted personally, or you can employ a professional to handle them.
Knowing your roof’s shingle type allows you to budget for replacement costs in advance. Generally, composition shingles endure 12 to 20 years, and asphalt shingles 15 to 30 years. Wood shingles, lasting about 20 to 25 years, are considered mid-range in durability. Making minor repairs helps extend your roof’s life, but it will ultimately need to be fully reshingled.
Your roof’s wear rate can increase due to extreme winters, strong winds, or consistent humidity, thereby shortening your shingles’ lifespan. Frequent roof inspections are necessary for properties in areas subject to storms or extreme weather to keep them structurally sound.
Signs a Roof Might Need Reshingling
Whether conducted by you or a contractor, the inspection should focus on detecting common signs of roof failure. If shingles are found to be curled, buckled, or missing, this usually signals replacement is necessary. Sagging, holes, and water damage are critical signs that your roof is failing. Ensure to check for wood rot and mold; both can spread and cause extensive damage beyond the shingles. Regularly inspecting your roof helps in catching small problems early on.
Implementing Preventative Maintenance
Routine inspections and maintenance of the roof are essential to detect and rectify minor issues early on.
Quick resolution of minor problems, such as replacing damaged shingles and fixing leaks, prevents water entry and protects the structure. Keeping gutters clean and clearing debris are essential actions to prevent water buildup and lengthen the life of the roof.
Active roof maintenance is an investment that protects your property and increases its appeal and value to prospective tenants.
The roof plays a crucial role in protecting your rental property, your tenants, and their possessions. It is better to proactively maintain the roof rather than waiting for issues to arise. If you maintain your roof well, you won’t have to guess when it’s time to replace the shingles; you’ll simply know.
At Real Property Management Republic, we handle the scheduling and coordination of maintenance for our clients’ properties. Contact us or call 281-362-5001 to see how we can make your life easier with our expert property management services in The Woodlands and nearby.
Originally Published on September 11, 2020
Originally Published on September 11, 2020
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