If your home is over 15 years old and has an asphalt shingle roof, it is a good idea to inspect the roof regularly. You may have been the homeowner when your roof was built and know the type of shingles that were installed, but chances are you purchased the home used and have no idea how long the shingles are guaranteed for. The average asphalt shingle has a life span of 20-30 years. Why such a broad range a years? The shingles themselves are all created differently from material thickness to the type of the underlayment used during the installation can account for the length of wear, as well as how well the previous owner maintained the roof.

Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material used by home owners for their overall quality. Do some research on the dozens of types and styles that will best fit your needs and your pocket book and hire a licensed and insured contractor to install your new shingles. Check the details of the shingles like the length of the warranty, what that warranty covers and if it is prorated, also choose the roofing with the highest fire rating, class A. If never hurts to check your homeowners insurance, it may not cover replacement cost but you may be eligible for a reduction after replacement.

While you may be able to put off some home repairs for a while, your roof is one thing that shouldn’t be neglected. Checking your roof regularly should be a homeowner priority, like cleaning the gutters and trimming trees back. Besides, a visual check of your roof now and then can save you thousands in water damage later on. The extreme weather conditions here in Florida can take a greater toll on any roofing product you use. High winds, temperature extremes, hail, and falling tree limbs are some of your roof’s worst enemies. Even the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause premature fading.

How do you tell if your roof should be replaced? On a sunny day you can check your roof from the safety of the ground with a pair of binoculars, or if you are handy and not afraid of heights, grab a ladder for a closer look around. Upon inspection you are checking for cracked, curled, or missing shingles. You can tell a shingle is worn by the amount of spacing between the tabs, as it ages the space gets wider. While you are inspecting check the flashing around the chimney, skylights, and the roof valleys. Don’t forget the rubber boots around the roof vents that can become cracked and leak . Be thorough with your checks anywhere that water can get under your shingles can cause water damage to the wood sheeting and rafters underneath, this can cause structural damage to your home and more costly repairs in the future. So take the time to look your roof over a couple of times a year and save yourself major headaches later on. If you are not fully confident inspecting your roof yourself, don’t hesitate to call your Orlando roofer to give you a hand.