Are you experiencing a leaky roof? Perhaps there is mold, hail damage, wet insulation, or rot forming? Or maybe it’s just a matter of age and your roof is getting too old, causing you to look for a new roof. If you are finding yourself in any of these situations, you may be asking yourself, should I repair or replace my roof?
In this article, we’ll provide answers to many of the questions that you might be concerned with. For instance, we’ll cover topics like what are the definitions of roof repair & roof replacement, the pros and cons of roof repair & roof replacement, reasons to consider a roof repair & roof replacement, and more. If you would like to speak to a professional about whether you should repair or replace your roof, please check out our roofing services page to find out more. Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Reasons & Conditions Require A Roof Repair Or Roof Replacement?
There are many situations that can cause a home & business owner to begin considering a roof repair or a roof replacement. Some of the most common reasons include water leaks, mold, rotting, severe storm damage, and the age of the roof.
Leaky Roof
A leaky roof can cause a large number of problems for property owners. Unfortunately, you may not notice a leaky roof until the water has already done substantial damage to your home. Once you notice a problem, you may attempt to find the source and put a tarp over the area like you would a bandaid over a wound, but you will eventually want to get a professional to come over and evaluate the problem.
Mold
A little mold on your roof, when caught early on, shouldn’t cause too much concern as it can be removed and repaired. However, mold can travel quickly, be stubborn to get rid of, and can attract rodents into your home. If not corrected immediately, the mold may spread deeper into the home and be a potential cause for health problems for you and your family. In short, our advice is to remedy the problem immediately once you notice that there is a problem.
Rotting
Rotting can occur when your roof deck, also called sheathing, is exposed to moisture. While a single event of exposure is unlikely to lead to rot, repeated exposures will most definitely result in a rotten roof deck. You can identify roof rot if you see or experience any bowing, bulging, mold, damp & musty smells, spongy feeling roof, discoloration, insulation damage, or rot on surrounding features.
Storm Damage
After a severe storm and when it is safe to do so, make sure to take a walk around your home and inspect your roof for any damage. Damage from storms is a massive contributor to creating leaky roofs, mold, and rotting situations as the natural elements can tear away your roof and expose the vulnerable roof deck, or sheathing, below. If you do spot damage to your roof, please call an expert right away so that they can evaluate the extent of the damage to your roof.
Old Age
Most roofs have a lifespan of up to 25 years. Roofs nearing, at, or exceeding that age will begin to experience failures in various forms. Make sure you check with your building permit, roof receipt, or previous owners to find out whether your roof might be in this situation.
Another way to estimate if your roof is of the 25-year age mark is to see what your neighbors are doing. Typically, buildings in close proximately were built in close succession to one another. If your neighbors are getting their roofs replaced, then it may be a sign that your roof should be replaced as well.
When Should You Repair and When Should You Replace Your Roof?
If you’ve experienced any of the above situations, then you are most likely in a position where you will be needing to either repair or replace your roof. The difference between the two all boils down to the extent of the damage involved. Below are a few points as to why you might want to repair and/or replace your roof.
When You Should Repair Your Roof
There are many situations that will only require you to repair your roof. For instance, if you have a small leak around a pipe or chimney, a small hole or puncture, insignificant tree or weather damage, poor maintenance, and minor ventilation problems.
Repairing a roof is much more affordable than replacing a roof, and can help you gain more years onto your roof’s life. These are often activities that an adept homeowner can accomplish, but most often is best when handled by a professional.
There are some downsides to repairing your roof. For starters, new shingles that are placed next to old shingles may have a difference in color which can reduce curb appeal. Also, poor workmanship from unqualified workers can cause further damage to your roof, resulting in even more hassle for you in the future.
When You Should Replace Your Roof
Repairing your roof might be the best path for you if you are looking to extend your roof’s life for a few more years or if you are on a tight budget and can’t afford a new roof. However, there comes a time when you may not have that luxury and will have to replace your roof. This is the case when either your roof is nearing the end of its life, the materials that your roof is made out of are beginning to fail throughout the entire roof, and/or your roof had received extensive damage from extreme weather or other natural elements.
One benefit that a roof replacement can have for you is that it will increase the curb appeal of your home. If you are going to begin selling your home soon, you may want to consider replacing your roof, as all people looking to purchase a home love finding out that the home they are about to buy just had a new roof installed. A new roof will also give you peace and tranquility as you won’t have to continuously worry about all of the concerns that an old roof can bring you.
There are some downsides to a roof replacement though. Roof replacements can be very noisy and can cause you, your family, your pets, and your neighbors unneeded stress. They can also be quite messy and make your house look like a construction site for the duration of the project.
Final Thoughts on Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?
Ultimately, you should try to repair your roof when you can. New roofs can be very expensive, use a lot of raw material, and can cause a big and noisy mess for you and your neighbors. However, If your roof is beyond repair, then you will need to get a roof replacement.
Either way though, getting an expert’s opinion on whether you should repair or replace your roof should be the first step of your journey to bettering your roof. If you’re in need of an expert, read more here about choosing the right roofing contractor. Read our other roof articles here.
Please don’t hesitate to visit our website at acsroofingsiding.com or call us at (920) 216-2243.
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