Is There Anyway To Test How Old The Roof Is

Obviously the best way to know your roof s age is by keeping records from the last time the roof was replaced.

Is there anyway to test how old the roof is.

Unless you live in a very rural town that is void of any zoning laws or building codes or if the roof on your home predates the local government chances are there is a public record in your local town village city or county clerk s or code enforcement officer s office that details any major exterior renovations to your home including a roof replacement. Even if they didn t you know the roof is older than the number of years the previous owners lived in your home. Then do a simple water test. Test your technical roofing knowledge.

When it comes to roofing technical knowledge some know a little about a lot generalists some know a lot about a little specialists and some know a lot about a lot experts. First have your roofer do a visual inspection for obvious areas where water could enter your home. That is what the meter tests. Have one person look in the attic and one person in the home.

Find the building permit first obtain the tax parcel map number for your property. Some are designed to only determine whether mold is present on surfaces. Have the roofer start introducing water at the lowest parts of the roof and work up. Have a roofer go on the roof with a running garden hose.

However if you re looking at a new home or uncertain of your home s pedigree there are warning signs you can look for before your roof starts damaging your house. For example roof drains are not designed to be leak free under hydrostatic pressure so it is highly likely they would leak at this location s flashing during a flood test. In many cases its from a leak many tears ago. Estimating roof age is difficult.

With a good meter. In one such instance testing was conducted on a 25 to 30 year old roof system which had been mopped directly to lightweight insulating concrete. Ultimately deciding on your roof being too old is up to the homeowner the insurance policy on the home and the opinion of a qualified roofing inspector. Answer 1 of 5.

During recent hurricane observations and investigations several testing agencies used wind uplift testing to determine the viability of existing roof systems. Although flood testing can determine the existence of a leak it cannot precisely identify the location even with use of soluble dyes in the water. The test for failure is testing areas especially stained areas in the attic for moisture. Mold test kits are widely available from home improvement stores and from online retailers but not all test kits are the same.

Keep in mind however that memories can be unreliable and the previous owners may not remember exactly how old the roof is. Cosmetic stain or active leak.