The key to a well-built home is a solid foundation, but what about the roof? Your roof provides year-round protection from the seasonal elements. Living in Canada, you’ll know that our weather patterns can be quite chaotic at times; at any given moment in the winter you can experience extreme cold and heavy snowfall, spring is met with torrential downpours, hail can appear as late as June, and we can’t forget about the heat waves felt in summer.

As dynamic as weather conditions may be, we Canadians are resilient; however, can the same be said about your roof? Do you recognize the signs of an aging or deteriorating roof? Or how about when it’s time to replace your roof? If you don’t know, then let this article by the Good Hands Advice team be a guide to help protect your home.

How Long Does a Roof Last?

A roof can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years, depending on the type of roofing materials. For example:

• Asphalt shingles last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on type (basic vs. architectural)
• Metal roofing last between 30 and 45 years
• Concrete tile lasts 35 to 50 years
• Rubber roofing last 10-16 years
• Cedar shakes and shingles last anywhere from 30 to 50 years (depending on thickness and quality)

Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?

To answer that question, you first need to evaluate the condition of your roof. If you notice cracks in your roof’s shingles, granules (natural wear and tear from asphalt roofs) forming in your eavestrough, or if the edges of the shingles bend upwards, it may be a sign to contact your local roofing company to repair your roof.

When it comes to replacing your roof, that usually comes about when the damage to your roof is beyond repair or when the condition of the roof is a risk to those living underneath it. If you notice mold (which affects asphalt roofs the most), water stains on the ceiling (typically due to leaks in the roof causing rain and other moisture to seep into the home), or see parts of your celling sagging (which is a sign of serious structural damage) it is time to call a roofing contractor to replace your roof immediately.

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Repairs?

If you’ve experienced any damage to your roof (whether through a natural disaster or water damage caused by a burst pipe or appliance malfunction) a standard home insurance policy may provide coverage to help offset the cost of repairing your roof.

What is the Best Type of Roofing Material?

Installing roofing material such as rubber, tile or class four rated asphalt shingles are recommended to best protect your home from a variety of weather conditions. These materials can help with:

• Impact resistance
• Handling extreme temperatures such as hail, heavy snow, wind and rain
• Preventing splitting, peeling and cracking

Allstate customers living outside of Quebec may be pleased to know that Allstate Canada has launched a new program to help those who have experienced damage to their roof or are looking to upgrade*.

Be sure to speak with your local Allstate agent to learn more.

 

*Available to customers in AB, ON, NB, and NS only.  Terms, conditions and some restrictions may apply. Coverage, perils, discounts, and availability may vary by region.  This contains information about coverage offered by Allstate but does not list all of the conditions and exclusions which apply to the coverage described. The wording of the actual policy and local law will govern

This information has been provided for your convenience only and should not be construed as providing legal or insurance advice.