How Do You Know if Your Roof Needs Replacing?
The thought of replacing your roof may feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Our Roofing Specialists and production team will walk you through the process, answer your questions, and be available to you even after your roof replacement is completed. Workmanship warranties are available on all of our roof replacements. Sonshine offers warranties from 6 to 25 years of coverage, depending on the materials you choose for building your new roof.
Recent Roofing Projects
What You Should Know Before Replacing a Roof
Know Your Contractor
Sonshine Roofing is licensed by the State of Florida as a roofing contractor and is fully insured. While State law requires that roofers hold a valid license and insurance, neither of these vital components guarantee experience, quality workmanship, or a long lasting roof. We bring over 50 years of experience and expertise in roofcraft to your real-life roofing situations. In addition, our roofing crews are true employees of Sonshine Roofing, they are not sub-contractors, and we invest in their continued roofing education to stay on top of industry standards and changes.
Know What Materials You Need
There are many material options available to choose from. We are here to help you decipher what is best for you and your home. Material selection, as with any home improvement project, is important when thinking about the lifespan of your roof. Items like type of nails, specific underlayment, balanced & efficient attic ventilation, etc. all need to be considered. We take the time necessary to discuss all your roofing material options and answer your questions. Not only is material selection important, but the proper installation of the materials is of equal importance.
Know What Warranties Come with Your New Roof
Roofing contractors typically offer a workmanship warranty that covers the installation of the roof. Many roofing materials are also guaranteed against defects by the manufacturer. As a homeowner, it is important to understand what warranties you are entitled to with the purchase of your new roof, the warranty coverage lengths, transferability, etc.
For more detailed information, see our Understanding Warranties page.
Know the Importance of Roof Maintenance
Exchanging your old roof for a new roof is not usually a complicated process, but it does have a lot of moving parts. To start, as with most places in the Country, every roof replacement in our service area is required to have a building permit from the local municipality and a recorded Notice of Commencement before work may begin. These documents should be posted by the roofing company prior to the start of the job.
People often forget that roof replacement turns a home into a temporary construction zone and that it should be treated as such. There will be noise, construction dust & debris, an onsite dumpster, and nails on the ground. Over the course of the roof work, not only will the roofing crew be at your home, there will be third parties delivering materials, city or county building officials completing permit inspections, and dumpster changes. While this is just an overview of what to expect, Sonshine Roofing informs its customers of the replacement process in more detail and keeps them updated from start to finish.
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F.A.Q.
Choosing a roofing contractor is as important as the type of roof selected and the materials used. Head over to the 5 Things Every Roofing Contractor Should Tell Youpage to learn more.
Get an experienced consultation and estimate by calling us today to schedule a time to meet with one of our Roofing Specialists.
How long should a roof last?
Multiple factors play in to how long a roof should last. Items to consider include the type of shingle used, your climate, and whether or not a roof is maintained regularly. These contribute to a roof’s integrity in varying degrees.
The average roof constructed with asphalt shingles should last a minimum of 20 to 25 years. As the vast majority of structures in the United States currently have asphalt shingle roofs, this applies to most homes.
Metal roofs tend to be extremely durable and can last 40 years or more while tile roofs can reach a lifespan of 50 years. Invest in a slate roof and it may easily outlast the lifespan of the homeowner. (This assumes all of these roofs are properly installed and maintained.)
Visit our page How To Make Your Roof Last for more information on maintaining the roof for longer use.
Would a repair be suffecient?
Homeowners often wonder if they can get by with a roof repair versus a roof replacement, which is far more costly. At SonShine Roofing, we want you to make a decision based on what’s best for you. There are a few key things to consider when choosing, such as the scope of repair needed, materials used originally, and the geographical location of the home.
Find out more about roof repair here. We also offer inspections to help you identify the overall condition of your roof.
How will I know a roof needs to be replaced?
The average lifespan of an asphalt roof, the most common type of roof in America, is 20 to 25 years, but a roof can last much longer when properly maintained. However, a shorter lifespan may occur if the roof was installed over old roofing material. The same is true if adequate ventilation is not present. The presence of excessive granules in the gutters on the home indicates the roof may need to be replaced. These granules tend to be present in gutters when the life cycle of the shingles is nearing its end. The presence of dark or inconsistent spots on the roof may be a sign of granules that are falling off.
When walking on the roof, such as when installing Christmas lights or cleaning off roof debris, pay attention to any areas that feel spongy or bouncy like a trampoline. This typically means moisture has made its way to the decking underneath the roofing material, and the roof may need to be replaced. All are signs it’s time to call a reputable roofing company to do a more thorough inspection. This will help you determine what is needed, a roof repair or roof replacement.
For example, a shingled roof is of very little value without nails to hold it in place. However, the manufacturers of each of a roof’s components only cover the items they manufacture. A shingle manufacturer will not replace a roof that’s under warranty if they determine the nails caused the roof failure. A fifty year or lifetime shingle manufacturer warranty is of little value if the nails rust out and leak in a few short years.
Various warranties have certain limitations and have very specific requirements or the warranty is null and void. Make sure your contractor understands the fine print of each of the various materials they are recommending and is aware of potential issues. Oversight on these details can void a material warranty during the installation process.
What questions should I ask my roofing contractor?
Certain questions need to be asked of any contractor. For instance, many people ask about “the warranty” on the roof when they should really ask about two different types of warranties. One warranty covers the materials used and the other covers the workmanship. Homeowners need to understand this and read over the terms and conditions of each warranty. There are numerous other questions that should ask before hiring a roofing contractor, and more information on these questions can be found on the 5 Things to Ask Your Sarasota Roofing Contractor page.
Having your roof looked at by a professional roofing contractor at least once a year is the best way to protect your roofing investment. Annual inspections and maintenance when needed will minimize your overall roofing cost. Detecting a problem before it becomes larger can make the difference between an inexpensive repair or a complete roof replacement. Let us help you maintain your roof to maximize its useful service life.
Should I pay for a roofing estimate?
People often look for companies who offer free estimates on roofing repairs or replacement. Free estimates draw customers in, but if they decide to have work done on the home, the estimate is often rolled into the costs. The company has to make up this money somewhere. This may be done by raising the price of the work you need, which includes your free estimate and that of others who didn’t choose their company. Many don’t share this information with the customer. Keep this in mind when choosing which companies to work with, and know the estimate will get paid in some way, and potentially more than your fair share.
Find out more about Why We Charge A Service Fee for a Roofing Estimate and what you’re really getting with free estimates.
Having your roof looked at by a professional roofing contractor at least once a year is the best way to protect your roofing investment. Annual inspections and maintenance when needed will minimize your overall roofing cost. Detecting a problem before it becomes larger can make the difference between an inexpensive repair or a complete roof replacement. Let us help you maintain your roof to maximize its useful service life.
What should I expect during roof replacement?
At SonShine Roofing, we want you to be prepared for the best roof replacment experience possible. You may find this post helpful so you know what to expect during roof repair and replacment.
Find out more about Why We Charge A Service Fee for a Roofing Estimate and what you’re really getting with free estimates.
Having your roof looked at by a professional roofing contractor at least once a year is the best way to protect your roofing investment. Annual inspections and maintenance when needed will minimize your overall roofing cost. Detecting a problem before it becomes larger can make the difference between an inexpensive repair or a complete roof replacement. Let us help you maintain your roof to maximize its useful service life.