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Repairing or Replacing Your RoofOne of the joys of home ownership is being the king of your domain -- getting to do whatever you want with your house. One of the miseries of home ownership is having to maintain and repair your house, and pay for it all! One of the biggest expenses to come up is getting a new roof. How long will a roof last? A general rule is a roof should last 12-20 years, depending on the environmental conditions. A tile roof will last longer of course, but both asphalt and cedar shake roofs do have to be replaced regularly and maintained when damage occurs.
Signs of Roof Damage - Need for Roof RepairThere are a number of signs that you may need to repair or replace your roof. The most obvious is water leakage that appears in the attic or in the ceilings of rooms below the attic space. Wind driven rain can get under shingles and through damaged underlayment (tar paper). Missing, cracked, or damaged shingles can allow seepage. Damaged flashing around vents, chimneys, eaves, and skylights can allow water to penetrate. If you see shingles that have curled or are cracked or missing, get a roofer out there to repair them. A few small repairs over the years will more than make up for the costly interior and exterior repairs required in the case of serious water damage. Also, if you notice a dramatic change in heating or cooling bills, that may be another sign of serious roof problems. Your roof can be damaged by all the elements over time - rain, wind, sun, ice, condensation, leaves and other debris. Keeping your roof clean and in good repair will forestall the big bill of roof replacement for as long as possible. Some people get their roof cleaned and treated every few years, including powerwashing away any moss or buildup. Others feel that the damage caused by walking all over brittle shingles and blasting away the existing shakes with high pressure water causes more damage than it avoids.How much does a new roof cost?How much will it cost to replace my roof? This is the dreaded question that comes up if you stay in one house long enough. Eventually your roof begins to deteriorate, and the time to replace it is sooner rather than later. A damaged roof can allow water to get inside your home, requiring expensive repairs. As a general rule, replacing a asphalt of shake roof will cost from $10K - $25K, depending on the type of materials you use, the size of your roof, and the area you live in. To get a new roof estimate, visit http://www.improvenet.com/HomeOwner/ProjectTools/estimators/roofing/re_index.html - you can punch in all the variables (including shingle type - aluminum shingles, aluminum tiles, asphalt shingles, bitumen, spanish clay tiles, concrete shakes, dimensional shingles, steel panels, slate, and cedar shingles), and it will give you an estimated cost of your new roof. When going through the new roofing process, you should first consider what kind of roofing material you want to use.Types of Roofing MaterialsAsphalt shingles are cheaper than cedar shakes and are supposed to last longer - they are estimated to cover over 75% of residential housing in the US now. Asphalt shingles have been in use for almost a hundred years, so they have a long, known track record as to longevity, maintenance, and reliability, unlike many newer composite materials. Many people have heard of the horror stories from homeowners trying out new and unproven siding materials over the years, and no one wants to try a new roofing material, only to find that it is ruined 4 years later and caused damage to the rest of the home. That's why wood shakes, tile, and asphalt shingles remain the dominant choices all these years. Slate is one of the longest lasting roofing materials, but they are heavy, expensive, and require special substructures to support their weight. Wood shake have been around the longest, and are usually made from cedar, spruce, or treated pine. Cedar naturally resists decay and is often used in wood products designed for outdoor use and longevity. Hand split shakes have a rougher appearance, while wood shingles are cut by machine and have a smoother, finished look to them. A good shake roof can last up to 30 years when cared for properly, but most home owners find themselves looking at replacement after 15-20 years. Architectural, or laminated, shingles are more advanced versions of the fiberglass and asphalt shingles. Built of several layers, they have a thicker appearance and more mimic traditional wood shakes. Owen's Corning Prominence is one brand of this style. These shingles have not been around long enough to develop a reputation for durability or longevity, so it is sometimes a riskier choice for a homeowner to commit to. There are a variety of newer composite roofing materials as well, created with natural rock particles or clay, resin, and glass fiberglass. These materials are designed to be maintenance free, fire resistant, and non-moisture absorbing.Finding a Roofing ContractorThe final step is finding a roofer. Your best bet is to get referrals from your friends and neighbors. If you see a new roof going up, stop by and knock on the door and ask the homeowner about their experience with the roofer - would they recommend them? were they satisfied with the schedule they kept? were they clean and reliable? did they stay within budget? You can also check out a site like Local-Roofing-Contractors.com to find a roofer in your area, but the yellow pages of your phone book will work just as well in a pinch. Be sure to get at least 3 estimates, and don't be afraid to bargain to get a better price.
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