January 12, 2024
Repair or Replace Your Roof?
Wondering if you should repair or replace your roof? Trying to see if a roof replacement is the best option or not isn’t always an easy and straightforward decision. On the one hand, you want to make sure your roof is in the best condition it could be in the long run. On the other, you don’t want to rake up the costs of what could be a simple and sufficient repair job.
To make the right decision for your home and budget, and wondering if it's time to repair or replace your roof, it helps to know what the definite signs are for a roof replacement. If any of these is true for your roof, then it’s a definite yes to that new roof!
4 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Roof
- The damage is widespread
If there is a lot of damage across several sections of the roof, then what you need is more than a patch job. This is the case if it’s missing and loose shingles across the entire roof, and more so if what you’re facing are potential water leaks across the roof. Before a new roof can be installed, repairs would be needed to make sure you don’t face any issues down the line.
Dollar for dollar, getting a new roof can end up costing you less than repairing patches across the entire roof. If you have asphalt shingles installed, then finding ones that match your current roof can be very challenging. A new roof would also help you retain the aesthetic look of your home, which is especially relevant if you’re planning on selling down the line.
- The home has already been re-roofed
Re-roofing is rarely the best solution to your roofing problems. If the damage to your roof is already at the second layer of shingles, then you’ll want to consider a roof replacement.
The reason for that is that repairing and patching can be much more costly, and hardly efficient, especially that several layers might have to be removed before any repairs can be made.
The original trouble with re-roofing is that no repairs are made beneath the existing layer of shingles. This means that problems to the roof deck or sheathing cannot be fixed. If you’re in an area with strong winds and cold winters, then the second layer of shingles are more likely to fall off, since they stick much better to the roof’s deck than to existing shingles.
- The roof is near its warranty lifespan
If your roof is already 20 years old, then a replacement is your best bet. Wear and tear to the material generally brings more costs as time goes by, and repairs start getting more and more costly over time.
The easiest way to know if your roof is too old for repairs is to see if it’s nearing the end of its warranty lifespan. Another way to judge would be by the type of material you have. If you have 20-year old shingles, then getting a new roof sets you up for less hassle in the future. If you have a slate roof, these can live up to 90 years (and sometimes more!).
Is it okay to replace some shingles?
It can be the case that a simple repair or shingle replacement is all you need to get your roof back in shape.
If the roof is relatively new (for example at 5 years) and there are no major leakage problems, then a repair is all need. Equally so, if there has been a single storm or bout of bad weather, they are most likely the culprits behind the damage.
One thing to keep in mind is that new roofs should not sustain too much damage. If this happens, it could be the cause of poor workmanship, so make sure you explore your options with other roofers if this happens to your roof.
Another thing to consider when you’re making the decision is whether or not you intend to sell in the near future. If you’re only planning to stay in your home for a few months or a couple of years, and the roof is in good condition, then minimizing the cost and going for a repair is the way to go.
What if a new roof is too costly now?
Unplanned expenses can put a large burden on your finances, especially with home projects as big as getting a new roof.
If you feel you’re unprepared to take on additional expenses, the one thing you need to make sure of is that a patch job can do until you get a new roof. It can be the case that the damage is too extensive and delaying a new roof can only cause costs to add up over time.
Most established roofers will offer payment schedules and schemes that would help make payments as smooth as possible. Before you hold off on getting a new roof, make sure you explore your options with local roofers and see if you can reach an agreement that works for you.
Does it matter when a roof is replaced?
Depending on the material of your roof, the weather conditions might play a part in deciding when to install the new roof. Some materials, like asphalt shingles, can be susceptible to contractions and cracks before they set in.
Deciding on when the install the new roof is usually a conversation you want to have with your roofing contractor. Good roofers know the material they work with and understand the weather conditions in your area, and only schedule in work in weeks where there is no risk of a poor job due to the weather.
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