Maintaining your rental property in excellent condition is crucial as an investor, starting with the roof for single-family homes. High-quality roofs endure for years, but they all must be reshingled eventually.
How regularly should you reshingle the roof of your rental property? Addressing this question requires first gathering important data about the roof, including its age, condition, and the materials used.
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. Being aware of what impacts roof longevity and the signs that point to the need for reshingling is key to maintaining it proactively.
The lifespan of a roof depends on various aspects, such as the material used, the local weather conditions, the maintenance carried out, 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. It’s vital to conduct regular roof inspections to monitor its condition, regardless of the roof’s age. The National Roofing Contractors Association advises biannual roof inspections. You have the option to inspect the roof yourself or to engage a qualified professional to do so.
You can anticipate the replacement costs based on the type of shingles on your roof. Composition shingles last between 12 and 20 years, and asphalt shingles from 15 to 30 years. Falling in the mid-range, wood shingles usually have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Making minor repairs helps extend your roof’s life, but it will ultimately need to be fully reshingled.
Extreme weather conditions like harsh winters, high winds, and continual humidity can speed up the deterioration of your roof, reducing shingle life significantly. If your property frequently faces storms or severe weather, increasing roof inspections can help maintain its structural integrity.
Signs a Roof Might Need Reshingling
Monitor common indicators of roof decline during the inspection, which can be carried out by you or a professional. If shingles are found to be curled, buckled, or missing, this usually signals replacement is necessary. Severe roof damage is often indicated by sagging, holes, or water damage. You should also search for signs of wood rot and mold, both of which can affect more than just the shingles. Conducting inspections regularly enables you to address small issues promptly.
Implementing Preventative Maintenance
Regular roof checks and maintenance are necessary to identify and handle small problems before they turn into bigger ones.
Swift action on minor repairs, such as changing damaged shingles and sealing leaks, can avert water infiltration and structural harm. Keeping gutters clean and clearing debris are essential actions to prevent water buildup and lengthen the life of the roof.
Proactive roof maintenance not only protects your investment but also increases the property’s value and attractiveness to prospective tenants.
The roof of your rental property is fundamental to the protection of your investment, your tenants, and their belongings. Proactive roof maintenance is crucial, rather than waiting for problems to necessitate action. Engaging in proactive maintenance means you won’t have to question when it’s time to replace the shingles; you’ll know outright.
Real Property Management California Coast manages and coordinates all maintenance operations for our clients’ properties. Contact us or call 310-535-2150 to see how we can make your life easier with our expert property management services in El Segundo and nearby.
Originally Published on September 11, 2020
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