A roof replacement is large investment and one of main factors when you should start considering a replacement is the age. The age at which you should consider a new roof depends on several factors, including the roofing material, climate, maintenance, and installation quality.
What is the average lifespan of a roof?
The lifespan of a roof depends strongly on the material used, climate, maintenance, and installation quality. The average lifespans of roofs by material are:
| Material | Lifespan |
| Metal roof – zinc | 70+ years |
| Metal roof – aluminium | 70+ years |
| Metal roof – copper | 100+ years |
| Metal roof – stainless steel | 100+ years |
| Tiled roof | 30+ years |
| Slate roof | 50+ years |
| Single ply / Liquid / Flat roof | 20+ years |
Common signs indicating that you might need a roof replacement
Visible signs of water damage in the upper rooms in your house is the most common sign indicating that your roof needs replacing. Watermarks or mould spots could be caused by leaky window, broken / missing tiles, broken metal sheets or damp.
Sagging, which happens where there’s a sag in the middle of the roof, can sometimes indicate that there’s structural damage and that it is in damager of collapsing. The cause is often water damage from rain and snow but sometimes, design flaws, substandard materials, or poor quality installation are to blame.
Mould and dampness inside the property, especially when it’s continuing or expanding over time is also sign that your roof’s lifespan could be coming to an end.
How to prevent or delay roof replacement
Fortunately, investing time and effort into regular roof and gutter maintenance can significantly extend the life of any roof. Regular inspections allow you to identify and address minor issues before they escalate into major problems. It’s recommended to keeping an eye out for missing tiles / damaged metal roof sheets, broken / damaged or loose flashings, moss on the roof.
Other than regular roof inspections, regular gutter cleaning is also recommended for any property. It can identify maintenance issues and smaller roof / gutter, downpipe repairs or partial replacements can mean longer delays with roof replacement.