Roof Repair? As a barrier that keeps us protected from the sun, rain, wind, snow, and extreme temperatures, roofs are an integral part of any building. Without this structure on top of your home, the interior of any residential or commercial space will deteriorate in no time. That is why it is called a shelter, for us to be guarded from natural acts that can damage or make us sick.
If the roof is not in good condition, you have to deal with leaks, pest infestations, mold and mildew, higher heating and cooling bills, and even problems with replacement.
Fortunately, roofs are created to last and protect us for many years. But, what should you do when unexpected disasters and normal wear-and-tear inflict damage on your roof? It may be impossible to tell whether you need to repair or replace the roof, especially without the proper knowledge about roofing.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered!
To ensure that you’re getting proper advice for your specific situation, we can also provide you with a roof inspection. We’ll be able to advise you correctly once we’ve inspected your roof.
What's Involved in Roof Repair?
For minor or moderate damage, a roof repair may suffice to resolve your problems. This home improvement process can restore your roofing system and even extend the life of an older roof.
It’s a project that nearly every property or homeowner deals with at some point in their life. However, even if the damages seem easy enough to D.I.Y, it’s always better to hire a certified roofing contractor to ensure it is properly fixed.
Instead of tearing down the whole roof to replace it, roof repair involves working on a small portion of your roof. Depending on the type of damage you’re facing, the repair process may include patching up small holes or leaks and small gaps or replacing damaged or missing shingles and other materials. Of course, you or a certified roofing contractor will have to spot and determine your roofing problem first before repairing it.
When inspecting a roof, you can take a pair of binoculars and scan the structure for any problems from the ground. If you see any broken or missing shingles, punctures or holes, nail pops, cracked flashing, or granule loss, then you have roofing issues that certainly need to be addressed.
What is involved in Roof Replacement?
When you’re repairing a roof, you’re only fixing a small part of the structure. But if you’re replacing it, you’re replacing the entire visible area. This home improvement process requires you to strip off everything to expose the deck before installing the new roof and may involve repairs to sheathing, rafters, and trusses. It’s a long process that takes not just weeks but can even take months depending on the layout of the roof.
Since it’s a lot more work to be done, a roof replacement is usually more expensive upfront than a repair service. However, there are instances where a new roof may be able to help you save money in the long run.
Also, you’ll want to get insurance involved when your roof is damaged by extreme weather, including tornadoes, hail, and straight-line winds as coverage will play a role in determining whether your roof gets repaired or replaced.
You must consider getting a new roof or a roof replacement when you notice it starting to sag. It’s a big problem and a warning sign that your roof is at risk of collapsing.
The roof replacement process is complex and involves more steps than a roof repair. It takes many roofing contractors weeks or longer to finish a moderately-sized roofing project not to mention if your roof is bigger and the layout is quite complex as well.
Just like roof repair, a replacement also involves a certified roofer inspection. A roofer will carefully examine the extent of damage to see if a repair is sufficient or if a full-on replacement is an ideal choice.
Roof Replacement vs. Re-Roofing
Some homeowners confuse roof replacement with re-roofing. While both home improvement projects restore your roofing system and give it new shingles, the two have similarities but a lot of differences.
Any severe damage on the roof and decking under the roof, such as mold growth, massive gaps, missing shingles, soggy shingles, or serious leaks (or leaks during heavy rains), will usually require a full roof replacement. However, if your roof only has one layer of shingles and has minor damages or leaks, then it may be considered for re-roofing.
When it comes to roofing projects, re-roofing is the simplest and cheapest way to restore a roof’s appearance. Unlike roof replacement, it doesn’t involve extensive time, labor, or materials. That’s because this home improvement project doesn’t require you to unfix or dismantle any parts of the roof. You only have to place the new shingle overlay or roofing material on top of the old, worn ones, as long as you are able to match the old with the new.
But since you’re just covering up the damages, re-roofing doesn’t last as long as a roof replacement. It only offers a temporary barrier to prevent leaks and other small damages. Moreover, since you won’t be able to examine the deck, there’s no way for you to know if any damages exist underneath.
Here are some of the benefits of a roof repair and roof replacement:
Benefits of a Roof Repair
A roof repair project isn’t always the ideal choice in some situations. To help you weigh your options properly, let’s take a look at their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of roof repair:
Pros:
- Roof repairs are more affordable.
- It doesn’t take long to finish repair projects.
- They can help extend the lifespan of your roof.
Cons:
When replacing a few shingles, it may be difficult to match their colors with the original pieces. These repairs may affect the aesthetic value of your roof and lead to a less desired curb appeal.
- Poor patches and workmanship can lead to more problems.
- It can mask underlying problems.
Benefits of a Roof Replacement
Compared to a roof repair project, replacing a roof is an even bigger home improvement investment. To give you a balanced opinion, here are the pros and cons of roof replacement:
Pros:
- It addresses all roofing problems, even the ones hidden underneath the shingles.
- A new roof can help you save money in the long run.
- It can increase curb appeal.
- It can improve energy efficiency and reduce utility bills.
- A new roof will last longer than a repair.
Cons:
- Renovating your whole roof will require more materials, time, and labor.
- It’s a more expensive project.
- A roof replacement project can take longer to finish than a repair.
