Should I Repair or Replace my Roof? Roofing Systems are the most important protection for a home or building. Water intrusion can quickly damage expensive portions of the home’s structure, create potential respiratory and other health issues caused by mold and elevated humidity. How do you know whether you should have your roof repaired or replaced? This is a tough question to answer without physically inspecting your roof, but here are some reliable guidelines to help you.
Is My Roof Too Old To Repair?
Roofs constructed of tile, slate, copper or metal have a much longer service life when these styles of roofing systems haven’t been impacted by hail, high winds, fallen trees, tornadoes or hurricanes. When it comes to an asphalt or shingle roof system the service life is shorter and there are a number of factors that dictate whether you can make a repair. Most shingles have a shelf life between 10-30 years. The older the roof is, the more difficult it is to make a repair.
Is there roof damage?
How severe are your current issues? If you have a roof leak and it’s small, then a repair option will likely make sense as long as your shingles aren’t too brittle. If the damage is covering a larger area, or if mold is present, it’s more than likely that a roof replacement is the wiser decision if your budget will allow it. Also, if a roof could be caused by storm damage, it would be very beneficial to have the roof inspected by one of our Roof Top Experts to see if the replacement is eligible for insurance coverage. If you have missing shingles on your roof, find pieces laying in the yard and or hail damage to the soft metal on your mailbox, this is a solid sign that you are probably eligible to file a claim. Your home is insured against acts of god. Contact us to schedule a free estimate, and we will let you know the condition of your roof through our digital inspection process. Our professional staff can help you with every portion of this process while you focus on the things that are important to you.
What do roofing repairs typically cost?
Repairs are almost always less expensive than a replacement if you don’t have covered storm damage and as long as the roof isn’t at the end of its serviceable life. If your current budget is limited, a repair could possibly buy you a few years or more and allow you time to save towards a brand new roof later down the road that will better protect your investment and family for many years to come.
Is Your Current Roof Up to Current Code Requirements?
This is a common reason why many homeowners choose to do a roof replacement over a repair. You will want to ask your company representative when you meet them whether the current roof is to code and they will review the local code for you and let you know whether updates are needed. Codes requirements vary widely from city to city, and some code requirements are very stringent. Local codes are frequently updated as new energy saving systems are introduced and local and state departments learn better construction techniques to help protect homeowners. It’s very important to follow the most recent local building codes to make sure you don’t run into serious issues when trying to sell your home or building.
Is the look of your roof an important factor?
Based on the age of your roof, it could be impossible to perfectly match the shingles of your roof if it’s a shingle related repair. If the repair is to be completed on a hidden, or less visible section of the roof, a color difference won’t be as important to the decision as a much more visible roof repair location would be.
Maybe You Want to Update the Look Of Your Home
A new roof will certainly enhance curb appeal, improve the environment inside your home, allow you to match the paint color of your home, and significantly increase your home value. Newer roofing systems last longer, have updated color options, save more energy over the old systems decades ago, and give your roof a better aesthetic than previous roof systems were able to offer. A repair could buy you another 5 years or more, but if you would like a better looking and trouble free roof system with the option of a lifetime warranty, a full replacement could be the option to fit your needs.
What are some important factors to consider when choosing a roofing contractor?
- Is the company well established?
- Does the contractor have have referrals you can speak with?
- Do they have numerous online reviews that you can review?
- Does the roofing contractor have a physical office?
- Are they affiliated with Industry related Associations like the NRCA?
- Are they considered in the top percentile of roofing contractors in the nation by the manufacturers they partner with like the Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor program?
- Are they rated as an A+ with the Better Business Bureau?
- How long have they held that status?
- Do they take a consulting approach and avoid high-pressure sales techniques?
We hope this will serve as a great guide and answer some of the more important questions you may have. If you have any additional questions that we can answer, please feel free to contact us at 844-741-7663 (ROOF) and one of our professionals will answer any of your roof related questions.
