How To Know Whether To Repair a Roof or Get A Roof Replacement
Making the Right Decisions About Your Roof
Your roof is a critical element of the comfort and safety of your home. And when it is properly maintained, your roof ensures that your home performs at its optimum efficiency and keeps your family safe, dry, and comfortable. Making the right decisions in terms of maintenance is the key to keeping long-term costs under control. This is especially true with large or complex jobs like re-roofing your home.
Before hiring a roofing contractor or choosing materials, you must make some decisions. The first and most important is whether to repair your roof or have a partial or complete roof replacement.
In this article, we explore whether you should repair, replace, or partially replace your roof and also look at some telltale signs that it might be time for a roof replacement.
Is It Time For A Roof Replacement?
Eventually, all roofs wear out and will need to be replaced. In a tight economy, this decision is particularly challenging. On the one hand, if you repair it too soon, you will be wasting money. On the other hand, if you wait too long, you might incur leaks leading to expensive water damage.
To get the timing right and use your budget wisely, you must know how to assess the current condition of your roof. This will help you identify early signs of roof failure and address any problems before they become critical.
Roof replacement was the exterior project with the highest ROI in 2022, according to the Realtors® “Remodeling Impact Report.” That being said, the average national cost for a roof replacement in 2022 was $12,000. If your roof is mostly in good shape, a spot repair might be the smarter option. But if your roof is showing signs of wearing out or is reaching the end of its 20-year lifespan, replacing it might be cost-effective.
Signs Your Roof Needs Repair
The following are typical types of roof damage. These instances, if caught early, can often be repaired without replacing the entire roof:
Natural Damage
Fallen limb damage, minor hail, or wind damage can often be spot repaired. If your roof is only a few years old, repairing or re-roofing a section might be a low-cost option. If you are unsure of the extent of natural damage, have a roofing professional inspect your roof to determine the best course of action.
Leaks
Modern roofs use rubber, tar, or plastic around some pipes and vents. These types of materials tend to degrade faster than other roofing materials and can develop a leak. They are relatively easy and inexpensive and are likely all that is needed if water leaks develop around these areas of your roof.
Installation Issues
Look for excessive amounts of tar covering flashing. This can be a red flag and a sign of poor workmanship. Excessive tar can lead to problems down the road. Also, look for missing kick-out flashing at the bottom or dormer at all intersections and missing crickets behind chimneys. A qualified roofing contractor can install the missing items for much less than the cost of a new roof.
Improper Ventilation
Condensation on the underside of the roof deck or delaminating roof plywood in the attic, might be due to a lack of venting. Your roofing professional can assess your home's venting and have it added or repaired if required.
Signs That It Is Time for a Roof Replacement
Sometimes your roof is beyond repair. When problems become evident, it might be time for a roof replacement. Here are some instances when replacement is the most cost-effective solution:
Age
All roofs eventually wear out, even in ideal conditions. Asphalt shingle roofing needs replacement every 15-20 years unless your home has 30 or 40-year shingles on it. When your roof is getting close to that age, start having yearly inspections to determine when it is time for a roof replacement.
Sagging
Spots on your roof that appear to be sagging can indicate structural problems. Plywood sagging between the rafters can only be fixed by replacing the roof and decking boards.
Degeneration
Your roof takes a beating every day from sunshine and foul weather. If you notice curling or shrinking shingles, excessive shingle granules in the gutters, bare spots, blistering, or extensive moss or algae, it might be time to replace the roof.
Missing Shingles
If you notice more than a few missing shingles, it's probably time for a roof replacement before the problem worsens. Missing shingles can indicate an underlying problem and should be addressed sooner rather than later.
So Should You Call A Roofing Professional?
Checking your roof from the ground is one way to determine if there are any issues with your roof. Also, look around in your attic to check for leaks, mold, or wet spots that a compromised roof can cause. The bottom line is if your roof suffers from old age or structural problems, there is no question that it is time for a replacement. If you know that a storm or improper ventilation has caused your roof damage, you might be able to repair it.
You do not need a formal roofing education to know when something is not right with your roof. An annual visual inspection will often tell you when to take a closer look. The smartest solution is to have your roof inspected by a roofing professional. They can recognize issues before they become problems and discuss your options when investing in a new roof.
Do you need a new roof? Do you live in Waseca, Freeborn, or the neighboring Counties in Southern Minnesota? Then you owe it to yourself to call Rooftop Solutions at (507) 400-7663. With 50+ Five-Star Google Reviews, we are not your typical fly-by-night, subcontract-it-out roofing contractor. We can help you with roof repair, roof replacement and handle any insurance claim. We offer inspection services that can help you determine the extent of any roof damage and safely repair or replace your roof with the latest roofing technology.
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