As an investor in Greenfield, you must strive to keep your rental property in good shape. For single-family rental homes, the first step starts with the roof. You can enjoy many years of service from a quality roof but just like any roof, it would need to be reshingled. But the question is, how often should you reshingle your rental property’s roof? For an accurate answer to this question, first determine the age, condition, and type of material used for your current roof.
As in most houses, the roof is one of the most ignored parts. This is because roofs don’t need much maintenance so it is easy to forget about them. Consider the condition of your roof and determine how old it is before you decide to reshingle your rental property’s roof. The useful life of most shingles is 20 years, so if your roof is older than that, it might be time to replace them. Just because your roof is fairly new, it does not exempt you from doing regular inspections as this is important to know your roof’s condition at any given time. Experts at the National Roofing Contractors Association recommend inspections twice a year. You have the option to do the inspection yourself or hire a qualified professional.
During the inspection, you and your contractor should be alert of the warning signs that your roof is starting to fail. If you see areas where shingles are curled, buckled, or missing altogether, that could signal the need for a replacement. More serious signs of a failing roof include sagging, holes, or water damage. Be sure to check for wood rot and mold as these could spread and damage more than just the shingles. When inspections are done frequently, small problems are identified and addressed early.
While making small repairs will help to extend the life of your Greenfield property’s roof, the time will eventually come when the entire roof should be reshingled. Know the types of shingles of your property so that you can plan for the cost of its replacement ahead of time. Composition shingles generally last about 12 to 20 years, while asphalt shingles typically last 15 to 30 years. Wood shingles are in the middle range category and they last from 20 to 25 years.
But these estimates could vary depending on the climate. Extreme winters, high winds, or near-constant humidity increase the rate of wear on a roof making you replace your shingles earlier. When your property is in an area where storms and extreme weather constantly occur, inspect your roof often to make sure it remains structurally sound.
Your Greenfield rental property’s roof is an essential part of protecting your investment and your tenant, not to mention your tenant’s possessions. Be proactive; don’t wait until you see water dripping down from the ceiling when it rains. Check frequently and do proper roof maintenance. Because if things go wrong, it’s no longer a question of whether you should be replacing your shingles or not – you have no choice but to do it. At Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee, we manage maintenance schedules and coordinate maintenance efforts for our clients’ properties on their behalf. Contact us today to see how we can make your life easier with our expert property management services.
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