As an investor in Atlanta, make a strong effort to keep your rental property in good shape. For single-family rental homes, the first step is the roof. A good quality roof can serve you for years, but eventually, your roof would need to be reshingled. But what should be the frequency when it comes to having to reshingle your rental property’s roof? That would greatly depend on the age, condition, and type of materials used of your current roof.
The roof is one of the most ignored parts of the house. Because something that needs very little maintenance would tend to be forgotten. Knowing when to reshingle your rental property’s roof depends on how old your roof is and its condition. If your roof is older than 20 years, it might be time for a replacement since most shingles only last for such an amount of time. Regular inspections should be made even if your roof is not that old so that you are constantly aware of the condition of your roof. Experts at the National Roofing Contractors Association recommend inspections twice a year. Inspections may be done by yourself or by hiring a qualified professional.
Upon inspection, you and your contractor must be observant to see the common warning signs of your roof starting to fail. If you see areas where shingles are curled, buckled, or missing altogether, that could signal the need for a replacement. More serious signs of a failing roof include sagging, holes, or water damage. It is also important to check for wood rot and mold since this could spread and cause more damage than just the shingles. If you perform frequent inspections, you improve your chances of finding small problems early.
While making small repairs will help to extend the life of your Atlanta property’s roof, the time will eventually come when the entire roof should be reshingled. Knowing the types of shingles of your property, you can prepare for the cost of replacement earlier. Composition shingles generally last about 12 to 20 years, while asphalt shingles typically last 15 to 30 years. Middle range category wood shingles can serve you for 20 to 25 years.
Of course, these estimates vary greatly with the climate. Extreme winters, high winds, or near-constant humidity are factors contributing to the rate of wear on a roof and decrease the life of your shingles. When your property is located in an area where it is exposed to storms and extreme weather, the roof would need to be inspected more often to maintain its sound structure.
Your Atlanta rental property’s roof is an essential part of protecting your investment and your tenant, not to mention your tenant’s possessions. As they say, the best time to fix a roof is when it’s not raining. Take a proactive approach to proper roof maintenance. Because it’s no longer a question of “when” you should be replacing the shingles when things are already going wrong. At Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta, we manage maintenance schedules and coordinate maintenance efforts for our clients’ properties on their behalf. Contact us today to see how we can make your life easier with our expert property management services.
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