Roof replacement is a large investment, so if it’s possible, why not replace a roof rather than renew your roof with a simple cleaning, this can save you a lot of money. But how do you know when it’s time to clean and when it’s time to replace? Today we’ll dive deeper into this question learning about the differences between roof cleaning and roof replacement to help you decide which is the best option for your needs.
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What Factors go into Replace a Roof?
There are two main factors that go into determining whether or not to replace your existing cedar shake roof. Will a new one will be worth the cost and what are the age and condition of the cedar shingles on your current roof. If they are newer than twenty years old and in relatively good shape, then a simple cleaning can usually restore them to their original beauty. However, if your roof is over twenty years old or it needs a little more TLC, then you may want to consider a roof replacement. It is always worth contacting an experienced cedar shake roof cleaner to get their opinion on the condition of the roof. The quote will be free but their knowledge is priceless.
Where do You Live?
The age of your roof isn’t the only determining factor when deciding between roof replacement and roof cleaning. If you live in an area where your cedar shake roof has to deal with extreme weather conditions, like snow and rain, then this can also cut down on how long it takes for your roof’s condition to deteriorate. If the average rainfall during the winter months is over 60 inches, then chances are that if you have a cedar roof, you’ll need to consider a roof replacement much earlier than normal.
The Surrounding Environment
Another factor that comes into play when deciding whether or not it’s time for a new roof is the overall condition of your cedar shake roofing. If all your shakes are falling off or there are large chunks missing, then this can cause problems for you over time. If you’ve noticed that your roof doesn’t look quite as beautiful as it once did, then chances are that you should consider a roof replacement for the safety of your family and home. It is worth noting that you can get a quote for a section of the roof to be replaced and have the rest cleaned. If you have two broken cedar shakes or shingles then there is no need to remove the entire roof.
Typical Lifespan
When deciding between roof cleaning or roof replacement, one thing to remember is that no matter how hard you try to keep your cedar roof looking perfect, it will eventually need to be replaced, the typical lifetime of a maintained cedar shake roof is 40 – 50 years.
A cedar shake will last for years and years but external factors play a large role. The natural elements and dampness will cause it to rot and deteriorate over time, this can be brought on by algae, fungus, moss, or other organic materials collecting on the roof. However, you can get a lot more life out of your roof if you take some preventative measures such as a clean every 5 – 10 years, creating a gutter system that captures debris and water, and making sure trees are not dropping lots of leaves on to the roof which accumulates and cause the cedar shakes to deteriorate.
Ask Expert Advice
Overall, roof replacement is a large investment and if you don’t have to do it, then we always recommend that you don’t. Getting your cedar shake roof cleaned and extending the life of it for another 10 years will generally cost around 5% of the cost of a new roof. If the roof is falling apart then contact a cedar shake roof cleaner, see what they suggest and then proceed from there. We have an article on how to hire a responsible cedar shake roof expert.
It takes a lot of careful consideration and observation to determine whether it’s time for a new roof or if you can restore your current one with a simple cleaning. If you believe that you need a roof replacement, but aren’t sure if it will be worth the investment, call us today at 515-971-1430 so we can discuss and go over the options.
In the Southern region of the US roof cleaning is a common service. For many home owners in the Mid-West there still is a learning curve about roof cleaning. Many home owners believe once they see the black stains, moss, mold and mildew on their roof it is time to replace the roof. In most cases this is not true. As to asphalt roofs, many believe those black stains is the tar from the asphalt bleeding through. In reality it is algae/bacteria from high humidity and moisture over hanging trees and shade. There is a tried and true process of low pressure mixture that can be applied to the roof that will return the roof to that new look once again. Why spend thousands of dollars to replace a roof when it can be cleaned for hundreds or in most case less then 10% the cost to replace it.
The process to clean a roof is not harmful to the roof nor the landscaping when done by a certified roof cleaner. The results are instant. There are a lot of products out there and sold on the Internet that will not clean a roof, these DIY products. Your money is best spent having a certified roof cleaning service clean your roof. Research your local area for such a service. In most cases they will come out and provide you with a free estimate.
Sullivan Roof Cleaning
