Should I Replace My Roof or Just Repair It?

Should I Replace My Roof or Just Repair It? Let’s say that you’ve had your roof for a few years, and you’ve begun to notice some basic wear and tear. Perhaps you even noticed a small leak or two. How do you know if you can solve your roofing problems with a quick fix, or when it’s time to replace the whole thing? Repairing Your Roof Knowing whether or not to replace your roof depends on several factors, including the location of the damage, the extent of the damage, the age of the roof, and more. For example, maybe you have a relatively new roof. A strong storm occurs in your area, and a few of your shingles are blown off of the roof. In this case, a simple repair may be all that’s necessary. You may even be able to nail down new shingles on your own with some basic roofing training. However, there’s a strong chance that your new shingles will not match your old ones—it’s almost impossible to exactly replicate shingle colors because of changing materials and the visual effects of wear and tear and fading on your older shingles. But if you’re ok with some slight color differences on your roof, there’s probably no need to completely change out the roof. Let’s consider another scenario: something small falls on one side of your roof, tinkering in the attic leads to a hole through the roof, or gutter installation goes a bit awry on one side, and you’re left with some minor damage. If your roof is in good condition, and there’s no clear structural damage to the other parts of the roof, a repair may be all that’s necessary. Again, your shingles may be different colors, which you may need to take into consideration if you’re thinking about selling your home soon and you want it to look its best. Replacing Your Roof However, there are many cases that indicate it’s time for an entirely new roof. If your roof is over ten years old, it’s time for a check-up. Many roofs have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years. A leak or light shining through the boards of the attic are a sure sign of necessary roof replacement, but you shouldn’t wait for a leak and possible water damage before replacing your roof. There are many warning signs of a roof near the end of its lifespan, and many of them can be found by looking at the state of your roof shingles. Are your shingles curling or buckling? This means that they’ve been on there too long. Even if they aren’t flying off with strong winds, they’re losing their ability to protect your roof from water, debris, and more. Another warning sign is the presence of shingle granules—small, rocky pieces of your shingles—washing off and appearing in the gutters. This means that your shingles are literally falling apart, and that it won’t be long before they leave holes or cracks in your roof. The biggest red flag when it comes to roof replacement is a sagging roof. If your roof is noticeably sagging, you can’t afford to wait to replace your roof. Don’t call a roofing expert tomorrow or next week—call them today, as soon as you notice any sagging at all. This is a definite sign of structural damage, and may even be a signal that your roof is on the verge of collapse. Finally, there are the financial incentives to consider. Unlike what you’d expect, an entire roof replacement can actually be more financially wise than a roof patch or repair. As with most home improvement work, a patch on your roof or partial roof repair is usually just a temporary fix, and you’ll need to invest more money in the future for further repairs. If your roof is nearing the end of its twenty or twenty-five year lifespan, or if there are any of the aging signs mentioned earlier, a repair isn’t your best bet. It’s considerably less expensive to replace a whole roof in one sitting than to have three or four consecutive repairs—this means that roofing experts have to set up all of their equipment, create scaffolding, etc. three or four times instead of just once. And why repair your roof now when you’ll have to replace it soon enough anyway?   Call Hunters Roofing today, for a FREE ESTIMATE and we’ll examine your roof and determine if you just need a simple repair or if it’s time to replace.