The age of your roof is a good starting point for determining when it should be replaced. Experts often say that a roof should last about 20 years, but that also depends on the material of the roof surface, the climate of the area and the maintenance given to it. Remember that each home insurance company has their own guidelines on whether they will insure your home or not. What looks good on one insurer (for example, a 15-year-old roof with tile roofs) may be difficult for another insurer.
For properties located outside of Florida or Louisiana, Kin homeowners and homeowners insurance refers to the Kin House & Property policy with an additional endorsement held by the owner. Kin House & Property's basic policy, the HD3 policy, provides coverage to customers who rent their homes to other people, similar to the DP3 policy. For customers who live in their home full or part time, an endorsement that is occupied by the owner is added to provide the coverage of a typical home insurance policy, which is similar to the HO3 policy. Some telltale signs that a roof is nearing the end of its lifespan are the formation of suction cups, frizz or the formation of claws. The formation of suction cups and the curling look very similar, since the ends of the tiles come off the courses that are underneath them and begin to point upwards.
Scratching occurs when the center of the tile is lifted while the ends remain in contact with the roof. Neither of these conditions is a good sign and may be the result of extreme temperatures, inadequate installation, poor ventilation, or aging. How old is your current roof? Depending on the material, the lifespan of a roof can range from 20 to 50 years, but it varies depending on the roof material. You should know when your roof was installed in order to estimate its lifespan.
If you're not sure exactly when your roof was installed, you can check your home improvement records to find out. It also depends on whether the old roof was removed and if you only have one layer of shingles, and if it's well ventilated. If the roof was installed on another or several layers and is more than 20 years old, it is likely that you will need a new roof. The next sign that your roof needs to be replaced is when you see vegetation growing on it.
Moss or other vegetation growing on the roof is a sign that it's time to start considering replacing it, especially if you have an old roof. That's probably a good enough reason to replace the roof, but there are other situations where you might want to take a closer look at the condition of your roof. If your neighbors are going to have their roof replaced after a severe thunderstorm with hail or straight-line winds, they have a viable insurance claim. If a roofing contractor performs an inspection and finds systemic problems, replacing the roof may be more cost-effective than paying for repeat repairs.
Remember that usually some cracked or damaged roof tiles can be repaired, but if the roof is full of damage, it's time to completely replace them. However, moss can damage the roof over time, as it tends to keep the surface moist for extended periods, increasing the risk of water entering underneath the shingles. While algae grows on a 10- to 15-year-old roof, it doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be replaced. Check out the 5 things to consider when replacing your roof to make sure you're starting the roof replacement process with confidence.
Whatever the case, leaks don't get better on their own and homeowners should consider replacing or repairing their roof in a short time. When a roof shows signs that it has reached the end of its useful life, all that's left is to replace it. On the other hand, you'll need to replace the roof if the leak is due to an incorrect roof installation or if the roofing materials have reached their maximum lifespan. Fortunately, this isn't an immediate reason to replace the roof, as long as there's no water damage.
The next sign that the roof needs to be replaced is if the shingles are cracked, bent, or not completely. It's best to be proactive and look for early signs that a roof will need to be replaced to minimize repair costs and risks of injury or property damage. The first sign that the roof needs to be replaced is if it is more than 15 years old and it is leaking.
