When Should You Replace the Roof on a Rental Property?

Roof replacement is costly. It’s one of those expenses landlords want to postpone for as long as possible. But replacing your roof is also inevitable. At some point, you will need to replace the roof on your rental property. However, what you do not want is to replace a roof when you can repair it or repair a roof when you should replace it.

The problem with replacing the roof on a rental is that you have to sort through two very conflicting considerations. Firstly, you are thinking of the cost of the project and its impact on the performance of the rental. Also, as Cory Property Management points out, you have to consider the effect of a bad roof on the home’s structures and your tenants.

In the end, having a functional and beautiful roof over your rental property is paramount. The roof is the crowing structure of the building, and it influences how much you spend on the repair and maintenance of other systems. The roof affects the insulation of your building and how much you or your tenants spend on energy.

You want to know that your rental property’s roof is ready to handle anything nature throws at it. Yet you don’t want to spend a dollar more than you need to on the roof. That’s why you should know when the right solution is roof repair versus when the best option is roof replacement. Here’s how you can tell it’s time to replace the roof on your rental property.

When to Replace the Roof on a Rental Property

As a first step, you should have an expert check the roof once or twice a year. That’s because, unless you are a roofing expert, you will miss many of the subtle signs that tell you when a roof has outlived its usefulness. You may only realize the problem after those minor issues have resulted in full-blown damage.

Here are the things you should look out for to know if your roof is ready to be replaced.

1. Discolored Spots on the Roof

Discolored spots usually mean the area has a problem with moisture. Often, that part of the roof is not getting enough sunlight and mold is growing on the shingles. Also, there may be a leak letting water beneath the shingles. These two scenarios will result in a chemical process that causes discoloration of the shingles.

2. Sagging Areas on the Roof

Sagging or bowing spots on the roof shows that the internal structure or subroof has collapsed. Rafters and other structures underneath the shingles can give way for several reasons; rot in wood components, termite invasion, and old age. If the roof has collapsed, you need to remove the shingle and repair the subroof.

3. Missing Shingles

Shingles can get blown away during a heavy storm. Shingles will also go missing if the glue used to bond them to the roof is substandard. When a strong wind blows away the shingles, the problem is easy to solve. You only need to replace the affected shingles. But if it is a problem of poor installation, the entire roof will need replacing.

4. Buckling or Curling Shingles

Shingles may curl in extremely high temperatures. When this happens, it means the shingle has lost its heat-resisting abilities. It is not a big problem if only a few shingles act this way. However, if the phenomenon is widespread and persistent, it is a sign that the entire roof is failing. Address the problem immediately to keep it from causing massive issues.

5. Excessive Granules Shedding

Granules on asphalt shingles help them resist the effect of the sun’s UV rays. It is not uncommon for some granules to get dislodged from the surface of asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles shed a few granules over their lifetime. But if shingles are shedding so many granules that fill the gutter, the roof is starting to fail.

6. The Roof Is Old

If the roof has passed its expected lifespan, as specified by the manufacturer, it requires a replacement. How long a roof lasts depends on three things; the type of roofing material, the quality of roof maintenance, and the climate in the home’s location. If the roof on your rental is past its lifespan, you should replace it to prevent unexpected roof failure.

7. You Have the Maximum Number of Overlays

In most states, you cannot have more than three overlays on a roof. If the roof has reached this maximum, the only option is to remove those old layers and the plywood underneath and replace the entire roof.

Finally, depending on the extent of the problems mentioned above, you may need to replace only a section of the roof or the entire structure. For instance, if a roof is sagging in several places or numerous shingles are damaged or missing, you need a whole new roof.

For informational purposes only.