Your roof is one of the most important investments a homeowner can make. When it shows signs of damage, it can be difficult to know whether you need to repair or replace your roof.
Your roof has an important purpose in your life. It is one of the largest assets in your house and covers over 40% of your home. It serves the necessary purpose of ensuring your home stays safe and dry, and keeps you in a comfortable environment all year long.
Fortunately, roofs are created to last many years. But what should you do when unexpected disasters or normal wear-and-tear inflicts damage on your roof? One of our trusted roofing contractors at Unified can help you decide which option is best for your home.
Here are some things to consider when deciding between a roof replacement or a roof repair:
Extent of Roof Damage
If you’re even contemplating a roof repair or roof replacement, it’s likely that your roof either looks worn or has suffered physical damage (or both). Have you found shingles laying in your yard? Or water spots on your ceiling? Signs of roof damage will differ depending on the type of roofing materials but they are generally either aesthetic or structural in nature.
Aesthetic damage includes roofs that either appear old and worn, contain dark streaks, or algae in between the roofing shingles. Meanwhile, structural damage includes curled, cupped, or delaminated shingles as well as those that lack granules causing bald spots.
In some cases, roof repairs may be necessary to address these issues and prevent further deterioration. However, it is important to consult with a professional roofer to accurately assess the extent of the damage and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Age of Roof
When was your roof installed? The age of your roof may be a good indicator of when to replace your roof, as the average lifespan of a roof usually ranges between 15 to 30 years. However, a roof’s life expectancy ultimately depends on the quality, durability, and type of material chosen.
If your roof is showing signs of aging and/or has suffered through decades of Northeast winters, leaks, or other problems, it may be a good idea to consider a replacement. Ultimately, replacing an older roof can be worth the investment as opposed to repeatedly paying for roof repairs – whether you plan to move soon or stay in your home for the long term.
Roof Leaks
A leaky roof is one of the primary reasons homeowners need a roof repair or replacement. If you notice water stains on your ceilings or down your walls, the cause could very well be a leaky roof – and finding the source of that leak can often be tricky.
Regardless, it’s important to solve your leaky roof problem sooner rather than later because even the smallest of leaks can lead to problems like mold, rotting framing and sheathing, damaged ceilings, and/or wet insulation.
Geographical Area
The northeast is susceptible to cold winters, hailstorms, and excessive snow. Homeowners must replace missing shingles—or other roofing materials—immediately following a storm to help prevent future issues.
Damaged, torn, or missing asphalt shingles can be replaced with new ones fairly easily by one of our experienced contractors. If the damage to your roof is more significant but confined to one side or area of the roof, partial reroofing is certainly an option. While it’s likely to cost less than a complete reroofing project, though, partial reroofing can impact your aesthetics because it’s harder to match the color of new roofing material with existing ones – especially since roofing material can fade over time.
Additionally, if you are experiencing a leak in one area of your roof, this does not mean that replacing that area will cause the leak to go away. Instead, the leak could find a new spot in the roof to move to. This is why we always recommend replacing your entire roofing system if you have a leak to ensure that the leak will not come back.
When to Get a New Roof
Your roof typically makes up a large portion of your home’s outward appearance, so a new roof can increase curb appeal. It gives you the opportunity to choose a new color or style of shingle, such as Owens Corning Duration, Designer Pacific Wave shingles, or TAMKO Titian XT Thunderstorm Grey. A new roof can also increase the energy efficiency of your home, as today’s roofing materials have improved greatly to keep out the elements and insulate your home properly.
If you’re weighing your options between a roof repair and a complete roof replacement, visit www.unifiedhomeremodeling.com or call (888) 631-2131 for a free estimate. Our team is the leading roofing contractor in the Tri-State area and our team of experts have the talent to make sure you get a roof that you’re sure to love and enjoy forever.
