Is There Anyway To Test How Old The Roof Is

Answer 1 of 5.

Is there anyway to test how old the roof is.

Mold test kits are widely available from home improvement stores and from online retailers but not all test kits are the same. Older homes will usually have stains on the underside of roof sheeting and rafters. Then do a simple water test. Keep in mind however that memories can be unreliable and the previous owners may not remember exactly how old the roof is.

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. Some are designed to only determine whether mold is present on surfaces. 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. During recent hurricane observations and investigations several testing agencies used wind uplift testing to determine the viability of existing roof systems.

The test for failure is testing areas especially stained areas in the attic for moisture. 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. Estimating roof age is difficult. Have a roofer go on the roof with a running garden hose.

Chances are that at some point there are issues such as moisture which could potentially deteriorate the roofing deck that it would be worth your money to replace the roof. That is what the meter tests. Obviously the best way to know your roof s age is by keeping records from the last time the roof was replaced. With a good meter.

Test your technical roofing knowledge. In many cases its from a leak many tears ago. Find the building permit first obtain the tax parcel map number for your property. Have one person look in the attic and one person in the home.

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. This webinar will evaluate the performance and ability to repair field aged tpo roof membranes review in service. 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. Have the roofer start introducing water at the lowest parts of the roof and work up.

First have your roofer do a visual inspection for obvious areas where water could enter your home. Even if they didn t you know the roof is older than the number of years the previous owners lived in your home.