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Being an integral part of a home, your roof protects your home from extreme temperatures and weather elements. It’s essential to replace it when it becomes damaged or starts leaking so that you don’t end up with water damage to your interior walls and ceilings below.
But if your roof isn’t old enough to worry about replacing yet, you might be wondering whether repairing the problem area would be better than buying an entirely new shingle roof. Fortunately, there are numerous factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your roof so let’s move on!
Your roofing installation or replacement is strongly attached to the age and condition of the roof. If your roof age is more than 25 years, you may have a roof leak/leaking roof, damaged or missing shingles, or other problems from the old roof.
Roofs less than 15 years old may be repaired for any leaky roof problem but, in most cases, should be replaced as part of a full roof replacement by a roofing company.
A roof leak is a paramount reason for roof replacement. There are many causes of a leaky roof, including damaged shingles, missing shingles, tears, worn-out ridge caps, valleys, and flashings all contribute.
Metal roof (steep roof) is less prone to leaks, and ice dams as metal roofs with galvanized steel bars have strong sheathing that seals well. If your asphalt or metal roofing is experiencing above mentioned damage, you certainly need to repair or even replace your roof. Contact a trusted roofing contractor/roofing company to provide you with an estimate of the cost for complete roof replacement.
By repairing your older roof, you can avoid the hassle of replacing it. Additionally, you can extend the life of your roof by making sure that other roofing materials, roof vents/ridge vents, and ridge cap all are in good condition. Old roofing material needs to be replaced if they’re not up to code with new roof vent regulations.
Repairing a roof is more cost-effective than replacing one for a few reasons. The first reason is that you don't have to purchase as many supplies. The second reason is that there's no need to buy new lumber for framing. Finally, the third reason is that labor costs are lower since much of the work will already be done.
An advantage of roof repair is that manufacturers' warranty on their products will still be valid should any problems arise during roof installation. Also, insurance claim eligibility could play into it. For example, if the damage to your roof was caused by a storm and covered under a homeowner policy, then choosing roof repair would make sense as part of the home improvement project.
Severe roof damage can be mitigated by a thorough roof repair process. Cracked flashing is often easily repaired. To prevent leaky roof problems or roof leaks by water stains, a watertight seal/roofing cement can be applied to areas where there is minor leaking. Damaged asphalt shingles can also be replaced by a few shingles later on.
The following things are involved in the roof repair process.
If your roof is less than 15 years old and only has a few damaged or missing asphalt shingles, or metal roofing with damaged metal drip edge, you can probably just repair them by a roof inspection. For severe damage, you may need to patch larger areas of the roof using metal roofing nails.
If wood decking is in good condition, but some asphalt shingles are torn up, you may be able to fix these areas by adding new shingles. In order to get rid of soft spots, water-damaged wood and shingles have to be replaced, and it's actually essential to make a strong ice and water barrier to prevent roof damage.
Severely leaky roofs should be replaced for a permanent solution, but if there's just a minor leak on an older roof that doesn't appear to cause any structural roof damage, you may want to try repairing this first. Minor repairs can typically be made to older roofs, such as fixing small sections of the roof deck with roofing nails or other methods.
Repair options include replacing worn-out shingles with matching ones or applying the sealant to seal gaps and cracks.
Older homes sometimes lack proper ventilation under the roof sheathing, which can lead to condensation issues when temperatures drop. As your attic may need a proper ridge vent installed, go for repairing it instead of replacing it.
Ridge vents and soffit vents prevent air from becoming trapped under the roof sheathing and also provide adequate airflow to maintain dryness, so a timely repair is worthwhile.
For a 25-year-old roof installation with severe wear and tear, you should consider a new roof/roof replacement instead of repair. If the roof replacement cost is not prohibitive, it may be worth considering a home improvement project with roofing replacement to get a new roof installed.
A saggy roof usually means the shingles are either worn out, or there is too much weight on them or the roof pitch is disturbed. A new roof can fix this problem. It's best to get an estimate before you decide which route is best for you.
There are various roofing options available as per requirements, but it is crucial to compare their prices and quality before moving forward to a new roof.
The most common cause of a damaged roof is the deterioration of structural materials such as rafters, plywood sheeting, and nails. When these components start to fail, they will allow for more movement in the building envelope. Blistering or extensive moss or algae growth can also signify problems with the roof.
A roofing job or re-roofing by a trusted roofing contractor can offer many advantages over a roof repair, including a longer lifespan, improved energy efficiency, and increased curb appeal.
Plus, starting from scratch gives you the opportunity to customize the roofing materials and design to suit your needs better. You'll get your roof repaired in minimal time in most cases.
The life expectancy of a complete roof replacement is usually between 20-25 years. Whereas roof repair/repairing shingles will typically only last 10-12 years.
Another major advantage of replacing your roof with a brand new one is that this option often includes an additional layer of insulation that not only protects against leaks but also helps insulate against hot air in the summer and cold in the winter while creating a barrier for high winds.
Most roofs can improve the appearance of the home by making it look cleaner and newer (by applying roof repairs), which may increase its resale value. A professionally built drip edge around all sides of the new roof prevents water from getting underneath your shingles while helping to prevent any gutters from overflowing onto your roof.
As advised by roofing companies working in the roofing business, the first thing you need to consider in roof repairs is the cost of extensive repairs versus replacement. If your roofing installation is severely damaged, it may be more effective to save money by replacing it.
A new roof installation with roofing material typically costs anywhere from $7,000-$15,000, depending on what type of roofing materials are used for the shingles. It also includes some labor (by roofing contractor) costs as well.
An average homeowner will spend about $300-$1500 per year for roof repair in order to extend its life span. Its homeowners choice to decide whether they want to invest money into fixing a roof that might only last another five years or if they want to go ahead and get a new, properly installed roof.
If you're not sure whether you should go for roof repair or replace it, the answer may come down to a matter of saving money. To get an idea of what it will cost, keep in mind that most roofing contractors charge by the square foot.
Roof replacement cost is typically higher per square foot, with high-end roofs costing more. When calculating the total cost, be sure to factor in things like permits and roofing material.
All in all, if the damage is not severe, then repairing may be less expensive than replacing. On the other hand, if damages are extensive and roof repair is not enough to fix them, then you might want to go for a full replacement instead.
Our goal is to help you make the right decision for your situation. Connect with us when you need help and we'll take care of you.
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