Tips on When to Repair or Replace Roof
Roof maintenance is an important part of a home’s maintenance program. Even so, many homeowners find themselves at crossroads: to repair or replace the roof.
Understandable! Either choice has serious implications in the short and long run in terms of cost, safety, and appearance of the home.
It’s important to know when to replace a roof as manufacturers usually state the life span of the roof ( average of 20 years) and not wait till the shingles start curling, cracking, sagging, leaking, and other warning signs before you realize that you need a new roof.
Sometimes, it’s not that people don’t know how long roofs last in houses or that they need a new bundle of shingles to replace the old ones but because they can’t afford it, they would rather continue using it while it’s damaged and becoming worse.
Generally, the remedial measure depends on the type of roof damage and the extent of the damage. Other additional factors are considered in making the final decision.
We’ll look at the situations when a repair is most appropriate than single out others that call for re-roofing or roof replacement.
When is roof repair appropriate?
When the roof damage is mild and the extent of damage is limited, roof repair is the way to go.
With a few shingles damaged, the repair would be the best way to fix it. The mild damage could have been caused by strong winds or a small branch falling onto the roof. The extent of damage is quickly assessed and the damaged shingles fixed.
To help with roof leak repair costs, few shingles blown off samples, you can use repair cost estimator apps or online calculators to understand the average cost before contacting the contractors near you and compare the cost based on your location.
Some calculators will also help you estimate roofing labor cost per square, asphalt shingle cost, tell you how much it cost to replace chimney, the average cost to tear off and replace roof, etc
Here, most of the repair is done through patching. It’s not as easy as it sounds, so you still need to get a roofing professional to do it for you. You can try Dublin roofing experts, their work is preceded by a thorough inspection and thereafter a report of the nature of the damage and the attracted costs to fixing it.
The patching can be done and a few shingles replaced. Ensure the replacement is the same as the original shingles or very similar.
When is roof replacement ideal?
While government usually gives grants for roof replacement if there’s a disaster or based on some other policies, including free home repair for the disabled, you can get a new roof for free but this does not apply to every roof damage factor and government.
When damage is extensive and the nature of the damage is serious, the best way to deal with it once for all is to replace the entire roof. It will be costly but worth it in the long run.
Do you find yourself frequently doing roof repairs? Well, that might be the signal you need to replace the roof. When the repairs have to be done now and then, it shows the roof has serious problems. The best solution would be to overhaul the roof and have a new start.
Apart from the normal wear and tear, old roofs are also prone to damages like multiple holes, loose or missing shingles, and rough uneven surfaces. Any roof that has been in use for twenty or more years is perfectly placed for replacement. Replace it and say bye to the costly every day repairs.
If the house is insured, you can get insurance to pay for roof replacement if the roof is covered in the insurance document and the terms and conditions are met.
However, likely, insurance will only pay half roof and more likely that the roof insurance claim would be denied if the factors responsible for the damage are not in the insurance agreement note.
Even relatively new roofs can have problems that need replacement. This mainly happens as a result of poor installation.
In the cases where damage only affects a small portion of the roof, then a partial replacement can be a good option. Instead of replacing the roof in its entirety, you can re-shingle only the part that is damaged.
As you do the replacement, ensure the new shingles are the same type or as similar as possible with the already installed shingles. Variations will be conspicuous and look unattractive.
And if you are planning to sell your home, the mismatched shingles could keep away potential buyers. Sagging is also an indicator of serious issues with the roof.
If your area has been hit by a violent storm, a tornado or a hurricane have your roof inspected. It might have caused significant damage to the roof that may well require roof replacement.
Can I roof over an existing roof?
This is another issue many homeowners wishing to replace or repair their roofs grapple with.
Yes, you can. In most jurisdictions, building regulations allow the addition of a single layer of shingles on an existing roof i.e. a maximum of two layers.
And in case your roof already has two layers and you desire a roof replacement, you will be required to tear down the entire roof and re-roof a fresh one.
As much as it is allowed and considered cost-effective, it is not always the best solution. It just hides the problem beneath a layer of new shingles. Besides, it voids the warranty on your existing roof. Should an accident occur, you are on your own.
The increase of weight by the addition is structurally an issue of concern. That’s why only two layers of shingles are allowed.
