As an investor, it’s crucial to keep your rental property in good shape. For single-family rental homes, the roof plays an important role. While a quality roof can last many years, all roofs will eventually need to be reshingled.
How often should you reshingled your rental property’s roof? To determine that, it’s important to assess factors like the age and condition of the roof and the type of materials used.
What affects the lifespan of a property’s roof?
Proper roof maintenance is essential for property management, and reshingling is an important part of ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of your rental property’s roof. By understanding the factors that affect roof lifespan and recognizing signs of wear, you can proactively maintain your roof.
Factors influencing roof longevity:
- Roofing material used
- Climate of the area
- Maintenance efforts
- Age of the roof
Conducting regular inspections will help you catch signs of wear, such as leaks, curling shingles, or granule loss, which might suggest it’s time to reshingled the roof.
How often do shingles need to be replaced?
Shingles generally last about 20 years. If your roof is approaching or surpassing that age, it’s time to start planning a replacement. Even if your roof isn’t that old, regular inspections are key to ensuring its health. Experts at the National Roofing Contractors Association
recommend performing inspections twice annually. These can be done by yourself or with the help of a professional.
Shingle lifespan by type:
- Composition shingles: 12-20 years
- Asphalt shingles: 15-30 years
- Wood shingles: 20-25 years
Although small repairs can extend the roof’s life, eventually, time will come when the entire roof should be reshingled.
Severe weather conditions, such as harsh winters, high winds, and excessive humidity, can increase the rate at which a roof wears down, reducing its lifespan. If your property is in an area frequently impacted by extreme weather, more frequent inspections are necessary to maintain roof health.
How do you tell if a roof needs replacing?
Common signs that your roof is nearing the end of its life includes Curled, buckled, or missing shingles, sagging areas, holes, or water damage.
It’s also important to inspect for wood rot and mold, as these can cause extensive damage to your roof and the property.
What should a preventive maintenance plan include?
To keep your roof in good condition, regular inspections and maintenance are necessary. Addressing issues like replacing damaged shingles and sealing leaks can prevent water infiltration and preserve the structural integrity of your rental property. Clearing debris and maintaining gutters is also essential for extending the roof’s lifespan.
Your roof plays a key role in protecting your investment. By staying proactive with roof maintenance, you won’t need to wonder when it’s time to replace the shingles.
At Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee, we offer expert property management services, handling maintenance schedules and coordinating efforts for your rental properties. Contact us or call 262-309-6961 to learn more about how we can assist with property management in Greenfield.
Originally Published on April 19, 2024
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