An aging roof can develop rotting shingles, pest infestations, fire hazards, leaks, and exposed wiring. Weakened materials also provide less protection from weather, are less resistant to impact damage, and are more likely to collapse or even shear off during severe storms. They can also become less energy-efficient, making heating and cooling more expensive, and invalidate your home insurance policy. Preventative maintenance and care can help, but eventually, all roofs need to be replaced.
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The older your roof is, the more likely it is to become structurally unsound, unsafe to walk on, unreliable in storms, and hazardous to your health. Proper maintenance and care can help you get more life out of it over the years, but not even the best treatments on the market can make it last forever.
You generally have two options when facing roof replacement: financing a professional installation or tackling the job yourself. The longer you put it off, the more likely you are to face problems.
Below, you’ll learn about the 7 serious risks that come with having a very old roof, including shingle damage, leaks, reduced energy efficiency, and even fires.
Treating your roof right over the years can help prevent the risks listed below, but not every aging roof is in need of a full replacement just yet. If your shingles are still in decent shape, but you’re just starting to notice granule loss or they feel firmer than they should, consider Roof Maxx instead!
Roof Maxx is an all-natural, eco-friendly roof rejuvenation solution that makes asphalt shingles flexible again.
Having your roof treated can:
Applying Roof Maxx at the right time can help you put off a full roof replacement. It costs up to 80% less than a new roof, which translates out into serious savings over the years.
Asphalt shingle roofs experience a lot of wear and tear over the years. Moisture, wind, and age can cause them to break down, become brittle, and crack.
Problems like these can eventually lead to:
Shingles protect the roof’s structural components from the elements. The more you’re missing, the more likely you are to experience problems with the rest of your roof.
Your roof protects your property from the elements, but asphalt shingle roofing materials do deteriorate over time. They also don’t last as long as they used to, which makes maintenance and care critical. Older roofs provide less protection from the elements.
This can eventually lead to:
The worst possible time to find out your old roof can’t withstand the weather is in the middle of a serious storm. That’s why it’s so important to schedule regular inspections and treat it right.
Leaks aren’t the only problem you need to worry about when shingles and other structural components begin to separate. These same small gaps make it easier for pests like these to find their way inside, and eventually, invade the rest of your home.
The most common culprits are:
Once pests like these start nesting up there, their population can grow rapidly.
Their droppings and bodies can also carry germs like leptospirosis that can seriously harm your health.
This one might sound a little bit strange, but it’s true. The fact that an old roof is more susceptible to leaks means it’s also more likely to indirectly cause fires.
Here’s why:
It only takes a drip of water to produce a spark. If there’s anything combustible nearby, like wood, the paper coating on gyprock, or even the plastic covering your wires, it may catch and ignite.
Read More: Understanding Roof Leak Repair Costs
When your roof is in good condition, it also helps insulate your home and stabilize the temperature indoors. That means your house stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer so you save on heating and cooling bills. It’s a win for your pocketbook you could miss out on if your roof is old.
That’s because:
Heating and cooling systems need to work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures when your roof isn’t properly insulated and sealed. A well-maintained roof (or a new roof) will help you save money.
Once your roof reaches the end of its expected lifespan, the manufacturer’s warranty is also usually up, which means you’re out of luck if you need to file a claim. This is true even if the failure or issue ends up being related to a defect in the product itself.
That means you’re on the hook for:
Without warranty coverage, even minor issues can add up quickly since every repair becomes your financial responsibility. Depending on the type of damage, you might even be looking at more serious problems in the home like structural issues from water intrusion.
Home insurance providers can typically cover roof repairs caused by weather or any accidental damage that isn’t your fault. They might refuse your insurance claim if your roof is very old or the warranty is up.
Reasons for denials include:
Insurers may also argue that you should have replaced the roof before you experienced problems.
This could leave you on the hook for the full cost of repairs.
Having a roof replacement would indeed solve your old roof’s problems, but it’ll cost you a considerable amount of money. The average cost of replacing a roof in the US varies widely, but it can easily exceed $20,000+ on an average 2,000 square foot home.
If you live in a city where roofing is expensive or have a very large roof, you can expect the job to be even more expensive. It’s a significant investment, which is why some people put it off until it’s too late. You’ll need to decide if you can afford the project or have a way to finance it.
Keeping your old roof in good condition helps ward off more extensive and costly damage. You can handle some maintenance steps on your own. For others, you’ll need to call in a roofer for help.
Regular care should always include:
Your safety is paramount, so please don’t try to climb up on your roof unless you are 100% confident you can do so safely. Falls can lead to serious injuries or worse, so it just isn’t worth it.
Replacing a full roof is expensive, so most homeowners want to feel absolutely confident that it’s the right option and the best path forward before they start planning. That’s why it makes so much sense to explore whether Roof Maxx can help you turn mild wear and tear around for less.
Our safe, all-natural treatment renews asphalt shingles so they stay strong, weather-resistant, and ready for whatever the seasons bring. It’s safe, affordable, won’t harm the environment, and helps you get more life out of the roof you already have. Get a free quote from a Roof Maxx dealer today.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
