How many years does your old roof have left?

Before you decide to install or replace your roof windows, it’s important to check whether your old roof is still in good condition – there’s not much point in installing new windows, if in a few months you’ll need to replace all the old roof tiles. But how can you know whether your roof needs fixing or replacing? Knowing how old it is and what materials were used can help you, but you need to factor in that things like weather conditions can make the degradation process quicker as well. That’s why it’s important to know what to pay attention to and what signs to look for in order to reliably assess the state of your roof.

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Signs that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced

Although each roof type has its own characteristics and there are different types of damages you can expect depending on where you live and what materials your roof is made of – there are a few common issues that can turn into serious problems for homeowners, and you should look out for such signs as well. It’s also important to keep in mind that by inspecting your roof regularly, you can actually notice such problems early on when you’re still able to fix them instead of having to spend a fortune on replacing the whole roof.

Common issues include:

Leaks

Leaks are definitely one of the most common problems – sometimes it may be caused by a poorly insulated window, sometimes it may be related to a damaged flashing or a missing tile. In any case, the moment you start noticing any leakages, the first thing you need to do is to check why it’s happening. Check that part of the roof carefully, and try to pinpoint the exact reason – this way, you’ll avoid spending money on unnecessary repairs.

Damages

It’s impossible to protect your roof against everything, so there’s always a chance that it’ll get damaged in some way. And there are many things that can affect it – from falling tree branches to birds and small animals or even moisture that builds up over the years to cause serious damages. Though, of course, if you remember about regular inspections and maintenance, there’s a chance a lot of problems can be avoided.

Problems with flashing

Flashing is one of the most important elements on your roof – its main purpose is stopping water from getting into your home. In general, it can be found around roof windows, vent pipes, and chimneys. There are two types of issues that you can come across when it comes to flashing – improper installation and damages.

But of course, if you suspect that the issue is with the structure of the roof itself rather than a few missing tiles or other easy-to-fix problems, you should look for suitable solutions right away to avoid more serious complications.

How long can your roof last?

If you have a flat roof it should be able to last for more or less 30 years, but you need to keep in mind that it’s not just going to happen on its own. You need to remember about regular maintenance. Especially if you have Velux flat roof windows or flat roof domes installed – problems with insulation or faulty installation can damage not only your windows but also the roof.

So try to inspect them once in a while as well – problems with windows are usually a lot cheaper and easier to fix than those with the roof itself, so taking care of them before they develop into more serious issues is definitely a good idea.

And when it comes to pitched roofs a lot will depend on the material you choose for your tiles – and your choice can actually make a huge difference because asphalt tiles can last anywhere between 15 and 30 years while concrete ones can survive up to 75 years.
So if you’re looking for long-lasting solutions, you should always focus on material durability, instead of picking your tiles based on nothing more than their appearance. Similarly as in the case of a flat roof, badly installed pitched roof windows can actually end up damaging the roof, e.g., due to leakages, so make sure that you not only choose the best type of windows for your home but also that they are installed according to the instructions and well-maintained.