An ounce of prevention is undoubtedly worth pounds of cure when it pertains to your house. In other words, frequent maintenance benefits both the aesthetics of your property and your pocket. Putting off necessary repairs may save you cash in the short term but will end up costing you far more in the long term.
Nevertheless, not all home renovation decisions are black and white. For instance, rather than replacing a roof, it is occasionally possible — and completely appropriate — to repair it. Which path you follow is determined by numerous variables, such as the type of damage and the percentage of the total roofing surface that requires repair. If you’re unsure whether to replace or repair your roofing, we’ve got some pointers to help you decide.
Updating Several Shingles
It might seem apparent, but the extent of the damage is the most important consideration in determining whether to repair or replace your roof. But keep in mind that this is only the beginning. Roof damage may be classified into three types: dispersed, partial, and total. From these categories come many issues that could affect your roof in a seriously negative way.
When your roof has dispersed damage, this implies you have only several damaged or loose shingles. High winds, debris slamming the roofing, or a combination of the two are frequently to blame for the damage. It may just take a few replacement shingles to restore your roof’s previous function and look. In that scenario, the key factors are how quickly you can complete the repairs and how closely the new and old shingles match.
If you only have a few missing shingles, odds are the problem hasn’t progressed past the outer layer of your roofing. So, before the weather could do any more harm, you should replace the shingles on the exterior layer. On the other hand, several new shingles might seem out of style. You may be able to obtain the exact shingles, or you may have a few originals remaining from the initial installation.
However, the rain, sun, and other weather conditions damage your shingles, and they will not appear brand new. Check with your contractor to see whether they can acquire the best fit for your present shingles. But don’t put off starting your hunt for the ideal shingle. Every time you postpone it, you are putting your roof at risk.
Partial Roof Replacement Or Patching
If the damage is extensive, you may require patching or perhaps a partial roof overhaul. In this scenario, fitting the new panels to your current shingles would be more difficult. But it is only the beginning of your difficulties. When the damage extends beyond the outer layer of your roofing and is much more than just some ripped shingles, you most certainly have damage that extends beyond the outer layer of your roofing. When the shingles on a rooftop section are damaged, water can infiltrate and begin to harm the layers underneath.
If you already have more than just a few broken shingles, the very first thing you should do is have an expert check the roof. A skilled roofer will inspect your roof from both the outside and the. The roofer will inspect the underlayment and decking for damage. If the water damage has spread to these locations, you may require costly repairs. Ignoring those fixes and simply patching them up is like placing a band-aid on a severe wound. It conceals the external damage while exposing the harm beneath. Even after you fix the shingles, moisture damage beneath might spread and worsen.
If you face with a major patch job or selective replacement, you must make some judgments about how to spend your cash. A patch or partial repair is definitely less costly than a complete replacement. However, two partial replacements cost more than a single complete installation. If your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan, you should consider replacing it entirely while the contractors are already on the job. It will cost extra to complete the project if they have to return after two years to finish the rest of your roof.
When A Complete Replacement Is Required
Choosing to replace your roofing is a significant step. It implies that you’ll be making a substantial investment in your roof. However, you must see it as an asset. Your roof’s purpose is to safeguard your house from the weather, and cutting back on it can lead to serious issues. A roof that is not changed when it should be can cause serious harm to the decking, attic, underlayment, and even the inside of your house.
If the damage to your roof has progressed beyond the shingles, you need to start thinking about replacing it. The interior components of your roofing are seldom damaged in a small region. Water and decay spread rapidly. Furthermore, if the damage is dispersed, as it often is in a thunderstorm, replacement might well be your best alternative. If you detect any slumping in your roof, it suggests that your decking is severely damaged. Replacement is inevitable at that time. Don’t delay calling a roofer. To avoid major and deadly complications, contact us as soon as possible.
Adding New Roofing On Top Of The Existing One
If you only need to replace a few shingles, you may save money by installing them directly on top of the old shingles. Usually, housing rules permit for up to two sets of shingles on a single roof. However, you must determine whether it is worthwhile. Pulling a few shingles off to change them is a fast fix that will appear and perform better than covering over the problem.
Since construction guidelines only permit two layers of roofing, any decision to overlay new roofing on top of your old one must be made with the long term in mind. Once you’ve got two layers, every future replacement or even tiny repair will need pulling off the layers underneath. When it approaches the time to replace two-layered roofing, the labor expenses will be doubled since both roofs must be dismantled before proceeding.
Another issue with overlaying roofs is that it becomes difficult to locate leaks. Finding the cause of a leak in a one-layer roof is difficult enough. When you install a second layer that you can’t observe, the problem gets much more difficult.
However, if cash is limited and you require a new roof, overlaying a new roof might be a faster and less expensive choice. Your new roof would be preferable to no roof at all.
Professional Inspection
If your roof sustains damage, you should get it professionally evaluated. If you search online for do-it-yourself roof repairs, you will likely discover a wealth of information. Mike, an experienced Orlando roofer, advises you against putting matters into your hands. To begin with, performing maintenance on your own may void your roof warranty. If you cause unnecessary damage, it may be an expensive option. It may also have an impact on your home insurance.
Furthermore, even the most well-meaning do-it-yourselfers may commit beginner blunders. A do-it-yourself roofer who installs new shingles over existing, damaged ones may be accomplishing little more than covering up the damage. You have no means of confirming how far and how deep the damage extends without a thorough professional investigation.
The cost of a roofing company must never be the primary consideration influencing your decision. You wouldn’t go with a “cheap” cardiac surgeon. Similarly, you should not pick a roofing contractor purely on pricing. If you invest in professional installation, you could relax knowing your house is safe for the long run.
