roofer standing in front of home with new roof

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home's structure. It protects you and your belongings from the elements and keeps you safe and dry. However, like any other component of your home, it has a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced. But how do you know when it's time to replace your roof? The first step is to determine how old your roof is. In this blog, we'll explore some methods for determining the age of your roof.

Check your home inspection report

If you purchased your home recently, you may have a home inspection report that includes the age of your roof. A home inspector will typically note the age of the roof in their report. If you don't have a copy of the report, you can request one from the inspector or from the real estate agent who facilitated the sale.

Look for a building permit

If you've had your roof replaced or repaired in the past, there may be a building permit on file with your local government. Building permits are typically required for any significant work done on your home, including roof repairs or replacements. Check with your local building department to see if there is a permit on file and, if so, what the date on the permit is.

Check your records

If you've lived in your home for a long time, you may have kept records of any repairs or replacements done on your roof. Check your records to see if there is any information on the age of your roof. If you don't have records of any work done on your roof, you may want to consider starting a home maintenance log to keep track of any repairs or replacements in the future.

Look at the shingles

One of the most obvious ways to determine the age of your roof is to look at the shingles. Over time, shingles will begin to deteriorate and show signs of wear and tear. If your shingles are curling or buckling, or if there are large areas where the granules have worn away, it's likely that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Consider the type of roof

Different types of roofing materials have different lifespans. For example, asphalt shingles typically last between 15 and 30 years, while metal roofs can last up to 50 years or more. If you know what type of roof you have, you can use that information to estimate its age.

In conclusion, there are several ways to determine the age of your roof, including checking your home inspection report, looking for a building permit, checking your records, examining the shingles, and considering the type of roof. Knowing the age of your roof can help you plan for future repairs or replacements and ensure that your home is protected from the elements for years to come. Choose a roofing company that has been around for a long time and that has ties within the community, should you decide to look into repairing or replacing your roof.