As an investor, it is essential to keep your rental property in good shape, and the roof is a key part of that. For single-family rental homes, ensuring your roof is well-maintained is crucial. While a quality roof will last many years, eventually, all roofs need to be reshingled.
How often should you reshingle your rental property’s roof? To answer that, it’s important to evaluate the roof’s age, condition, and materials used.
What affects the lifespan of a property’s roof?
Roof maintenance is an integral part of property management, and reshingling plays a vital role in ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of your rental property’s roof. Understanding the factors that influence roof lifespan and recognizing signs of wear are necessary for timely maintenance.
Factors that impact a roof’s longevity include:
- Type of roofing material used
- Climate of the area
- Maintenance performed
- Age of the roof
Regular inspections can help spot issues such as leaks, curling shingles, or granule loss, which could indicate that reshingling is required.
How often do shingles need to be replaced?
Shingles generally last about 20 years. If your roof is older than that, it’s probably time to start planning for a replacement. Even if your roof is not that old, regular inspections are crucial to track its condition. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends conducting inspections twice a year. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to inspect the roof for you.
Depending on the type of shingles on your property, the replacement timeline may vary:
- Composition shingles: 12 to 20 years
- Asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
- Wood shingles: 20 to 25 years
Although you can extend the roof’s life with minor repairs, eventually, time will come when the entire roof should be reshingled.
Severe winters, high winds, and humidity can speed up wear on a roof. If your rental property is located in an area with frequent extreme weather, you may need to inspect the roof more regularly to ensure it is structurally sound.
How do you tell if a roof needs replacing?
Common warning signs during your inspection include:
- Curling, buckled, or missing shingles
- Sagging, holes, or water damage
- Wood rot or mold spreading beyond the shingles
By addressing minor issues early, you can avoid larger structural damage, such as water infiltration, and extend the roof’s life.
What should a preventive maintenance plan include?
Regular inspections and maintenance checks are key to addressing minor issues before they become major problems. Replacing damaged shingles and sealing leaks helps prevent water infiltration, while clearing debris and maintaining gutters prolong the life of your roof.
Your roof protects your investment and tenants. With a proactive maintenance plan, you won’t have to wonder if it’s time to replace the shingles—you’ll already know.
At Real Property Management Thrive, we help manage maintenance schedules and coordinate all maintenance needs for your properties. Contact us or call 603-255-4100 for our expert property management services in Bedford.
Originally Published on April 19, 2024
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