When to Repair or Replace Your Roof
Everyone knows that no roof is immortal to damage and at some point, it needs to be repaired. You may have noticed some signs of some wear and maybe some things that are in need of repair, but you might not know what is exactly wrong with the roof or how to fix it. Getting to the root of the problems in your roof is completely reliant on the location of the damage, how severe the damage is, the age and type of roof you have and so on.
Warning Signs Your Roof May Need a Closer Inspection
Typically when your roof is in need of a repair there are some peculiarities that you, as the homeowner, may notice. Recognizing any of these problems with your roof indicates that it’s time to check it out. Here’s what to look out for:
- Cracked or missing shingles
- Rot
- Discoloration
- Visible sunlight from the attic
- Shingle granules in gutters
- Indoor leaking
- Ceiling spots
- Sagging roof
Should I Repair or Patch My Roof
Everyone at some point has to replace their roof, but if your roof is new and in good shape, some regular upkeep will help you get the longest life possible for it. You may see an issue with your roof and assume that you have to replace it right away. However, that is not the case. Minor damage in a concentrated area only needs to be patched/repaired. Sometimes replacing comes second to repairing and here’s when:
- Damage to some shingles as a result of wind or fallen branch
- Leak from one isolated spot
- A few missing shingles
When Replacing Your Roof is The Best Strategy
With proper care, a shingle roof will have a life from 15-25 years. After that, shingles become dull and less malleable, making your home more susceptible to the elements. The age of the roof is one of the most important things when deciding between a repair and a replacement. Some other warning signs that point to a replacement are:
- Large areas of discoloration
- Curling and/or missing shingles in some areas like the roof valley and chimney flashing
- Since most house in a neighborhood are built at the same time, when neighbors start replacing their roofs, yours might be due too
- Large shingles debris clogging gutters
Final Thoughts
As crazy as it sounds, sometimes it can save you money to replace a roof instead of repairing it. Patching a roof or fixing one area is providing a temporary solution to the issues and you might need a replacement anyway so why spend more than you have to. If the roof is very old and any of the problems previously mentioned are present, then a repair might not be a good idea. Overall, just replacing the roof would be much cheaper than five consecutive patches/repairs.
If you think it is time for your roof to be replaced, reach out to some roof inspection experts. They will decide if a repair or replacement will be more efficient, and will provide you with roof estimates and an honest report of the analytics of your roof.
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