As an investor, it’s essential to do everything possible to keep your rental property in good shape. For single-family rental homes, this process begins with the roof. While a quality roof will hold up for many years, eventually, any roof will need to be reshingled.
But how often should you reshingle your rental property’s roof? To determine this, you must consider some crucial details, including the age and condition of the current roof and the type of materials used.
What affects the lifespan of a property’s roof?
Roof maintenance is an essential element of property management. Reshingling plays a significant role in ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of your rental property’s roof. Recognizing the factors that influence roof lifespan and knowing the signs indicating the need for reshingling is vital for proactive maintenance.
Here are several factors that affect a roof’s durability:
- Type of roofing material
- Local climate conditions
- Maintenance frequency
- Roof’s age
Regular inspections can help spot early signs of wear and tear, like leaks, curling shingles, or granule loss. These could be indicators that reshingling is needed.
How often do shingles need to be replaced?
Typically, shingles last about 20 years. So, if your roof is older than that, it may be time to start planning for a replacement. Even if your property’s roof isn’t yet that old, regular inspections are necessary to monitor its condition. Experts from the National Roofing Contractors Association recommend performing inspections twice a year. You can either handle these inspections yourself or hire a qualified professional to take care of them.
Depending on the type of shingles on your property, you can plan for the replacement cost well ahead of time:
- Composition shingles: 12 to 20 years
- Asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
- Wood shingles: 20 to 25 years
While minor repairs can extend the life of your property’s roof, there will come a point when the entire roof should be reshingled.
Severe winters, strong winds, or high humidity levels can accelerate wear, reducing your shingles’ lifespan. If your property is located in an area frequently impacted by storms or extreme weather, more frequent inspections are recommended to ensure the roof stays structurally sound.
How do you tell if a roof needs replacing?
When inspecting the roof, watch for common warning signs that it’s beginning to fail. Curling, buckled, or missing shingles are signs that indicate a potential need for replacement.
More serious issues, like sagging, holes, or water damage, are also clear indicators of a failing roof. Additionally, checking for wood rot and mold is a good idea, as both can cause further damage.
What should a preventive maintenance plan include?
Regular roof inspections and routine maintenance are crucial in catching and resolving minor problems before they turn into larger, more expensive issues.
Addressing smaller concerns, such as replacing damaged shingles or sealing leaks, can help prevent water infiltration and structural damage to your property. Additionally, keeping gutters clean and well-maintained will help prevent water buildup and prolong the roof’s life.
Your rental property’s roof is a vital part of protecting your investment and your tenants. Proper maintenance is necessary, so instead of waiting for problems to arise, take a proactive approach. With regular attention, you’ll know when it’s time to replace the shingles—without second-guessing.
At Real Property Management Elevate, we handle maintenance schedules and coordinate maintenance efforts for our clients’ properties. Contact us or call 405-876-7611 to learn how our expert property management services in Kingfisher can make your life easier.
Originally Published on April 19, 2024
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