If someone were to ask you what the age of your roof is, would you know? If the answer is no, don’t worry. Many people don’t know the answer to that question, especially if they did not buy the house brand new. That being said, it’s still important to know the age of your roof so you can prevent costly repairs down the road.
If you’re not sure how old it is, it’s time to schedule an inspection with a roofer in Franklin, MA. They will be able to determine the roof’s age as well as point out any areas of concern.
Importance of Knowing Your Roof’s Age
Unless you had your home custom built and you were the first owners, you likely don’t know how old your roof is. Yet knowing this important piece of information can help you prevent potential issues. Here’s why.
Anticipate Repairs
A roof that is 15 to 20 years old requires more maintenance and repairs than one that’s brand new. Knowing your roof’s specific age will help you prepare and budget for issues that may soon come up.
Insurance Coverage
Many insurance companies require a professional inspection once your roof hits a certain age. Based on the results of that inspection, they may decide to adjust or cancel your policy. When you know how old your roof is, you can make any necessary repairs or upgrades to prevent this from happening.
Summer Storms
It’s summer and you know what that means: potentially severe thunder and lightning storms, as well as high winds and rain. The risk of damage to your home in the event of a storm can be minimized with a full roof inspection and reinforcement of the whole roof system if necessary.
Helps Your Roofer
Just like a mechanic you’ve had for years who knows the history of your vehicle’s issues, it’s helpful for your roofer to know the age of your roof. This will give them a better idea of how to fix and maintain it, while performing accurate roof inspections. In addition, they are better able to identify small issues before they worsen.
How to Assess Your Roof’s Age
How do you know if your roof is old? Here are some tips to help you make a determination or at least get a good estimate.
1. Ask the Previous Owners
Check in with the previous owners to ask them the age of the roof. While this could pose a challenge if you haven’t kept in touch, you could track them down by:
- Asking a real estate agent
- Checking social media
- Performing a Google search
- Checking with the property appraiser’s office
- Asking the neighbors about the previous owners
2. Find the Original Roofer
If you can’t locate the previous owners, you could try to find the roofer who originally did the roof. Call a few local companies and explain the situation, or ask your current roofer. This is a tight industry, and they may know of other roofers who may have performed the job or the contractor who built the house.
3. Check the Building Permit
The permit should state the date that it was filed, which would give you a pretty close idea of when the job was done. To request a copy of the permit, check county records, contact the property appraiser’s office, or reach out to another local government agency.
4. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
If all else fails, the best and most accurate way to estimate the age of your roof is to schedule a roof inspection with your Marshfield roofer. An inspection can reveal issues such as:
- Warped or damaged roofing material
- Presence of mold or algae
- Loose or damaged flashing
- Rust (for metal roofs)
- Discoloration or faded surface
- Poor ventilation
- Storm damage
- Neglect from the last owners
- Missing components
Your roofer can consider the type of roof and pinpoint areas of damage and wear, then provide you with an estimate of the roof’s age.
Roof Inspection in The Franklin, MA Area From Revered Roofing
Our Plymouth to Franklin roofers can determine the age of your roof with an inspection, as well as identify areas of concern. For a free consultation and quote, call our experienced roofers in Franklin now at 781-536-4589.
We serve the entire South Shore and lower Cape with quality metal roofing products; standing seam, metal shingle and metal panel roofs in Hanson, Taunton, Marshfield, Quincy, Needham, Medfield, Milton, Halifax, Hanover, Falmouth and Plymouth.
Paul was easy going and a pleasure to deal with. No pressure. Crew got started late but the metal roof with new sky lights over our sun room was done in a day! Quality work. I recommend Revered Metal Roofing.