How long does it take to replace a roof?

One question that we get asked a lot here at Raven Roofing is “How long does it take to replace a roof?”. However, it’s not always possible for us to give a definite answer. The reason for this is that the time it takes to replace a roof often varies according to several factors. All roofing jobs are unique and therefore differ in how long they take. Generally, for an average-sized home and if conditions are optimal, a roof replacement takes between one and three days. 

Factors that influence roof replacement time

There are a number of factors to consider when determining how long it takes to replace a roof, from roofing materials and design to house size and roof steepness. The weather can also have an impact too since cold, wet, and icy conditions can slow the work down or even put a stop to it altogether. 

Roofing materials and design

One factor that plays a part in determining how long a roof replacement takes is the materials used to make it, as well as its design. Shingles come in various materials, with each having a different timeframe for completion. Whilst asphalt shingles (the most common type) can take between one and three days to install, wooden shingles can take around six to eight days. That’s a significant time difference. Slate tiles can take up to seven days to install and concrete tiles as long as nine days. The design of your roof will also play a part, with complex designs taking far longer to install than traditional designs. 

The size of the house 

When considering “How long does it take to replace a roof”, it’s important to take the size of the house into account. Naturally, the larger the house, the longer it will take to install the roof. Replacing a roof on a small two-bed terraced house won’t take nearly as long as a huge mansion. Most roofers in Grimsby and Louth tend to price roofing jobs on a square foot basis. 100 square feet is referred to as a “roofing square”.

Roof steepness 

Another factor to consider is the steepness of a roof. If a roof is particularly steep, it will be difficult to walk across and materials and tools may slide off it. This means that extra safety equipment will need to be installed. This can extend the time it takes to install the roof. Low-pitched roofs may also take longer to install since they usually need special underlayment. This is required so that water can’t get through the building envelope.  

Roof accessibility

The accessibility of your roof will affect how quickly it can be replaced. If the roof is difficult to access, for example, due to trees or bushes, it will take more time. Properties in urban locations that have lots of other houses nearby may also take longer since equipment can be more difficult to get in and out of the area. A lack of a driveway and close parking can lengthen the time frame for fitting a new roof. 

Weather

The weather can have a significant impact on how long it takes to install a new roof. Cold weather in particular as slow down the process since extra steps are required for the work to be carried out to a high standard. Roof replacement requires adhesive products that need heat from the sun for activation. Whilst asphalt shingles can still be fixed successfully in cold weather, a few important changes need to be made to usual practices. Extra care must be taken when installing asphalt shingles when temperatures fall below 4°C. Rain, snow and ice can also slow down or even stop roofing installations in some circumstances. Wet, snow-covered, and icy roofs can make working conditions unsafe for roofing in Grimsby and Louth. 

Do you need a new roof? 

Whilst sometimes it can be glaringly obvious that your property needs a new roof, often it is not so evident. Here are some of the biggest signs that your roof needs replacing in the near future.

• Shingles are curling
• Missing Shingles
• Shingles are cracked
• Damaged flashing 
• Debris in the gutters
• Shingles are covered with mould or moss
• The roof is sagging 
• You can see streaks of light from the attic 
• Water damage such as damp patches upstairs
• Falling mortar 
• Rotting underlay 
• Your roof is over 20 years old 

As you can see, there are many signs that your roof may have come to the end of its life. If you’ve noticed any of these issues, don’t ignore them. Problems like these can become much worse if left unchecked. Contact a local roofing company like Raven Roofing today. We can install new roofs in Grimsby and Louth as well as carrying out a wide range of roofing repairs and maintenance services. The most common roof repair services we provide are pointing and re-bedding. This involves removing the ridges from a roof and completely cleaning them before re-bedding them. We ensure they’re pointing in a uniform manner, achieving a strong seal and neat appearance.

Contact us 

If you want a more accurate answer to the question “How long does it take to replace a roof?”, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our experienced roofers can come out to your property and assess your roof, providing a free survey and quotation. We can discuss your roofing requirements with you, letting you know how long we expect your new roof installation to take. Call us on 01472 565 084 (Grimsby) or 01507 640 072 (Louth) to talk to one of our friendly team. You can also send us a message via the form on our website. We’ll aim to get back to you as soon as we can.