7 of the Most Common Roofing Questions— Answered!

Whether you just bought a home or have owned your property for years, there is so much to know about roofing. Here are some of the most common roofing questions– answered!

1. How much does a roof cost?

Unless you’re sitting on a pile of cash, the prospect of a roof replacement can make homeowners nervous about costs. Since this is a big job that requires extensive skill, time, and expensive materials, it does require some degree of financial preparation. According to HomeAdvisor, the typical range for a roof replacement is between $5,347 – $10,488.

However, the good news is that the type of roofing material you choose affects the price. For example, you can spend far less getting asphalt compared to metal. The size and dimensions of your home also come into play. A small roof without any extreme slopes will be easier to work on than a large roof with many surprise elements. The best way to know how much your roof would cost is to get a personalized quote from a professional roofer.

• pro tip: We can finance big jobs to turn a large cost  into manageable monthly payments. This option can give you the freedom to select a better product than having to pay the total cost for a lower quality material.

2. How long do roofs last?

Roofs that are well-maintained and inspected typically live out their maximum lifespans. While storms, neglect, and other types of wear and tear can cut down on its life, here are the average lifespans for roofs:

• Asphalt roll roof: 5-10 years (not recommended for homes, but is better for sheds and porches)
• Composite Asphalt Shingles: 15-40 years
• Fiber Cement: 25 years
• Wood Shake: 30 – 50 years
• Metal: 50 – 80 years
• Clay Tile: 100 years+
• Slate: 100 years +

The climate, weather conditions, and factors like pests, moisture, and tree branches hitting your roof can accelerate your roof’s “aging”. The best way to make sure your roof is in great condition is to regularly clean your gutters, trim branches around your roof, and get a regular roofing inspection to detect problems early. This will allow you to keep the same roof for as long as possible.

3. When do I repair, and when do I replace?

If your roof is nearing the end of its estimated life expectancy, you are more likely to need a full replacement. However, if it still has some years left in it, fixing minor issues like a few cracked shingles, warping, or other wear and tear can keep the rest of the roof working well until you’re due for a full replacement.

If you have a leak, you need to act fast. If you get to the leaks quickly, this will decrease your need for a full replacement. But if you wait, the water can get under your roof and rot your roof deck. When this happens, a replacement is inevitable, regardless of the age of your roof.

• Pro tip: If your home has only had one roof, then you can potentially save on the labor costs of re-roofing. Placing a roof over your existing one is a more affordable option. However, if you have existing damage, this option may not be possible, but it’s a valid one to explore if you’re looking to upgrade your roof but want to save a bit.

4. Can Insurance fix my roof?

Every homeowners insurance policy is different, but the majority of plans include some kind of roof protection. Generally, these protections cover catastrophic, unexpected damage from storms, vandalism, or fire. If you’d like to fix minor issues like cracking shingles, you have better luck with a roofing warranty.

Double-check with your insurance company to see what exactly is covered to know what you can make a claim on after your roof experiences some unexpected damage.

We’ve written a few blogs about this topic already, so if you’d like to hear more about insurance regarding wind and hail damage, please check out these links:

• Filing a Wind Damage Claim to Homeowners Insurance
• How to File a Claim for Hail Damage on Your Roof
• How to Talk to Homeowners Insurance to Make a Claim

5. How long does a new roof installation take?

Depending on the size and shape of your room, your new roof can take just a few days or be a project that lasts a few weeks. Many factors come into play like the availability of materials, your contractor’s schedule, availability of labor, the size of your roof, and the weather. To know the estimated timeline for your new roof, ask your trusted contractor for their expert opinion.

6. What’s the best time to get a new roof installed?

While emergency repairs need to happen regardless of outside temperatures, the best time to get a new roof is when the weather is dry and fair. Winter is not a great time for a new roof, but if we’re experiencing mild 40 to 50 degree days, why not? However, it’s important to keep everyone working on the roof safe, which makes the dead of winter with morning frost and early evenings a season in which there is less time to get things done. Heat advisory days are also a concern, because it limits labor to the earlier part of the day. Talk to your contractor to find an optimal time for your home’s upgrade.

7. My roof has black streaks on it! Help!

Don’t worry, these black streaks are mainly harmless when you take care of them properly. You may have people coming to your door trying to tell you that they are steaks of “dangerous mold” and need to be removed immediately, but most of these streaks are moss, lichens, or algae. (There is no way that these people can give an accurate diagnosis by just looking at your roof for 3 seconds!)

Though the streaks can wear down your roof faster because they can eat their way to your roof deck, taking care of them with a simple cleaning stops the threat. So, take a deep breath and give Noble Roofing a call and we can first inspect the marks and then let you know how we can help.

Roof Replacement & Roof Inspections in Northern Virginia

Noble Roofing is the expert you can turn to for residential roofing and storm damage services. For more than two decades, we’ve developed a reputation for sheer quality and dependability. We serve Centreville, VA, and other nearby areas. Give us a call today at (703) 429-0840 and experience our top-notch service for yourself.