5 Clear Signs It’s Time to Re-Roof Your Multifamily Complex


Multifamily Re-Roof (Blog Cover)

Re-roofing a multifamily building is not something you want to do until it becomes necessary. Ideally, you want to put off this investment for as long as possible. Yet, at the same time, you do not want the condition of your roof to be the reason your property is losing money.

At Roofer’s Guild, we stress the importance of knowing when the roof absolutely needs to be replaced, and doing it will be a further investment in the continued success of your business. In the highly competitive world of rental housing, a good roof makes a lot of difference.

According to SGI Management Dallas, the roof plays a huge factor in how much money you save on the property. Being a vital part of the building envelope, it profoundly affects the building’s energy efficiency. Roofs also influence how much you spend on maintenance since they protect the building from damage. 

It is not enough for your roof to be functional; the roof of a multifamily complex should also be beautiful. It should help the property stand out and give you the ability to make a style statement. In addition, a multifamily building will attract more renters if it has an attractive roof. 

The roof plays a significant role in your marketing. Roof maintenance should also feature as a major part of your overall maintenance. These are two good reasons to keep your roof in good condition. How can you tell when it is time to re-roof your multifamily complex?



Signs it is Time to Re-Roof Your Multifamily Complex


1) Aging Roof

How old is the roof? Every roof has an expected lifespan, which depends on the type of roof. Asphalt roofs will last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. You can expect a metal roof to last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Clay and cement roofs can last 50-100 years. 

In addition to the roofing material, maintenance plays a role in the longevity of your roof. If you follow the manufacturer’s program for maintaining the roof, you will get it to last longer than its projected lifespan. It is always good to start planning for roof replacement once the roof approaches the end of its projected lifespan.


A multifamily roof’s lifespan may vary depending on maintenance, installation methods, and climate factors


2) Repair Costs

Due to the sheer size of the roof on your multifamily building, you may have at least one roof-related repair every month. These will often be minor issues that don’t cost a lot of money.

But the time may come when the repairs on your building’s roof start to stack up. Then, you could find yourself having to deal with the same kinds of issues repeatedly. 

If you notice this, it is time to calculate your monthly roof repair costs and compare that cost to your monthly payments if you took a loan to reroof the building. If the cost of repairs is anywhere near the monthly payments for a roof replacement loan, you should reroof the building.


Multifamily roofs typically require frequent repairs, primarily because of the building size


3) Community Upgrade

There is no better time to reroof the building than when you are ready to give your property a facelift.

Just as with your primary home, you constantly need to update the appearance and function of your multifamily complex to stay competitive. But you won’t get much mileage out of the renovations if you only repaint the home but leave the old, faded, or discolored roof.

If it will cost too much to do a sweeping renovation of the entire property, it is usually better to wait until you can do this. An excellent way to lessen the financial burden of renovating the property is to update the appearance of one section of your property at a time.


Commercial Flat Roofing Contractors Apply Material

Consistent upgrades to your multifamily complex will help maintain its appeal and stay competitive


4) Property Additions

If you plan to add new buildings to your property, you should consider including roof replacement and other improvements as part of the project. If you add a new building while the old ones retain their old appearance, you will only get a disjointed look that will not benefit your property.

To maximize the impact of the new building, you need a matching roof design for the entire place. Another reason to reroof the building at this time is you may not find a design that will match the new roof precisely if you decide to reroof the property later.


Green Roofing Systems With Terrace Area

Property additions are a great time to take care of roof replacements for your multifamily building


5) Building Roof Damage

Your roof may start to deteriorate before it gets old. There are several reasons why this can happen. The main reasons are the climate in your area, improper roof installation, use of substandard materials, and natural disasters. 

If the roof shows signs of premature failure, you will have no option except to reroof the property. In this situation, speed is essential because as long as the roof is not replaced, it will endanger the rest of the building. Failing to act now means you will only spend more money to solve the problem down the road.


Damaged Flat Roof Membrane

Significant damages to your building roof should prompt you to re-roof your multifamily complex