When you reach out to a roofing company, the staff is going to ask essential questions about your roofing system, including its age. This information can help determine what course of action is appropriate to take and who to send before the team comes out and conducts an inspection on your roof.

In this article, a top-rated residential and commercial roofing contractor elaborates on the importance of knowing how old your roof is, ways to determine it and signs it is time for a roof replacement.

Why Do You Need to Know the Age of Your Roof?

Knowing the age of your roof is beneficial to you and your roofer. Your roofers need to know this detail so they can create a fitting action plan for your roof, such as repairs or replacements. Bear in mind that it takes a complete and thorough inspection to figure out the specific needs of your entire roofing structure, from the shingles to flashing, masonry and so on.

Moreover, it also informs you, the home- or building owner, when it is time to replace your roof. If you are aware that the roof over your head is nearing the end of its life, you will know when to plan the timeline and set a budget for the needed replacement. For example, if you have a dimensional composition shingle roof that has a service life of 30 years and your attic is properly ventilated and insulated, you can start considering a replacement around its twenty-seventh year.

How Can You Determine the Age of Your Roof?

Unless you designed and built your home or building from scratch, you will need to do a little bit of research in order to find out the exact age of your roof. Here are some tips:

Ask the previous owner. It is important to not cut off all contact with the previous owner of your property after moving in for cases like this. Most homeowners do not mind answering inquiries you may have about the construction of your house, including the year the roof was last replaced. You can usually ask such questions without having to get through a lawyer.

Track down the building permit. If you are not able to contact the previous owner, find out whether your county requires a building permit for roof installations instead. If it does, then proceed to contact the local government, and ask for a copy of the permit. This document should contain the exact date the roof was installed and is one of the most accurate sources of information you can find out there.

Request a receipt from the roofing company. If the previous owners cannot tell for sure when the roof was last replaced, they may be able to remember the name of the residential roofing company that did the roofing job. If you have the name, contact the company, and request a copy of the receipt via your address. The receipt should contain the date your roof was installed, therefore its exact age.

Get an estimate from an inspector. If all else fails, you can bring in a trusted inspector to assess the condition of your roof and estimate its age. Whether you hire an insurance adjuster or a roofing contractor, such professionals are highly trained in their field and know the telltale signs of an aging roof. Apart from the age of your roof, their professional assessment can give you an idea of how much time your roof has left and an estimate for any repairs or restorations it requires.

What Are the Signs of an Aging Roof?

As your roof ages, it is natural for it to succumb to normal wear and tear as well as years of weather damage. While some roofs can be repaired to prevent further damage, roofs that are approaching the end of their expected lifespan are likely going to need a replacement. So, how can you tell if your roof is aging?

Shingles are curling or buckling. Curling or buckling is a common problem in asphalt shingles. It is more likely to occur when the roofing system is 12 to 15 years old, reaching its expected service life. Curling shingles can also be an indication that your shingles were not installed properly by a professional. In some cases, curling takes place when the attic has poor ventilation, and the trapped heat and moisture are affecting the shingles along with other roofing components.

Shingles are damaged or missing. A severe weather event like a hailstorm can significantly damage or knock shingles off your roof. But as your roof gets older, the more likely wear and tear can cause the same effect. It only takes a few missing shingles to leave your home vulnerable to water damage. So, if you notice that the shingles on your aging roof are either badly damaged or missing, you will want to bring in a professional roofer to further examine your attic for any signs of leaks, rot or mold.

Flashing membranes are rusted. Flashing is a thin sheet of metal fitted around vulnerable areas on the roof to prevent water intrusion. It should be in good condition and firmly in place so that there is no way for water to leak into the cracks or openings of the roof. That being said, this component will likely need repair or replacement even before the roof reaches its prime. During an annual inspection, if you see rusted or damaged flashing membranes, take it as a sign that your roof was installed long ago and may need a full replacement sometime soon.

There are times when older roofs are missing certain types of flashing because they were not required by building codes at the time of installation. A good example is kick-out flashing, a type of flashing that diverts water runoff from the siding and into the gutter. If your roof does not have it, consider adding it to make sure your siding is protected at all times.

Nails are rusted or exposed. Years and years of rain, snow and wind can cause your shingles to become loose. Exposed nails are one of the first symptoms of this particular issue. Nails are used to secure shingles and the felt to the very structure of the roof. When these nails are exposed, the elements can cause rust to form on them, which then causes them to loosen. As a result, the nails are not able to secure the shingles down, leaving your home susceptible to leaks and other damage.

Your neighbors are getting their roofs replaced. Sometimes, you do not have to perform a meticulous inspection of your roofing system before you get an inkling that you need to replace your roof. Homes in a neighborhood are generally constructed around the same time. So, once you start seeing or hearing that a lot of your neighbors are gearing up to get their roofs replaced, it may mean that it is time for you as well. Of course, it is a possibility that your roof has been recently replaced before you moved in, but if it is showing any of the mentioned symptoms, you can bet that it is the same age as everyone else’s.