Should You Have Your Roof Repaired or Replaced?
26/08/2020
A roof is an important integral part of a house, as it protects us from the elements and keeps us safe. That’s why when a roof undergoes damages from heavy rain, storms or lightning, there is no time for delay, and you should get it fixed right away. Sometimes, the damage to a roof is so serious that a repair is no longer an option, and you have to go with a full replacement. However, at other times, you may find it hard to decide whether the roof should be repaired or replaced.
This article will discuss several key factors to look at when considering whether to repair or replace your roof, so you can make a better informed decision:
Damage Done to the Roof
The first thing you should do is assess the damage to your roof. You can do this by checking for any leaks and water damage that may compromise the roof’s ability to protect your family. This will allow you to assess how serious the problem is. Whether it comes to fixing your home’s roof or fixing garage roofs, if you are unsure, you can call an expert to check the damage, especially those to the interior. The reason is that while replacing the exterior parts of the roof is usually enough for minor damage, issues with the interior are often irreparable and will require a full replacement.
If the damage is serious enough, attempting to repair it will only put a lid on the problem, as the roof will be quickly damaged again and again, thus costing you more money in the long run. This is particularly true for any roof that has been damaged by storms and heavy rains, which are usually beyond repair. Furthermore, you should take into account the frequency of disasters in your area that could lead to future damages. If your area is prone to disasters such as storms and heavy rains, you may want to invest in a new roof for safety reasons.
Age of the Roof
Similar to machines and household appliances, a roof has its age and depreciation period. When the roof is relatively new and the damages are not too serious, the roof will only need some repairs and then it can be restored to its original condition. In contrast, if the same damage happens to an older roof, repairs will not be as effective and may not be able to restore it to even its previous condition.
It is always a good idea to contact your real estate agent or the previous owner to see if your roof is still under a warranty. If it is, you can get the manufacturer to repair your roof free of charge. However, if your roof no longer has a warranty and you know for a fact that your roof already has a long depreciation period, then the replacement becomes a more sound decision. Replacing your old roof with a new one means it will require fewer repairs in the future and it also comes with a brand new warranty. Thus, while you are spending more money at the moment for a roof replacement, you are indeed saving money in the long term.
Differences in the Cost of Repair and Replacement
It goes without saying that a full replacement of the roof will be more costly than replacing some shingles and waterproofing tiles, but it is generally difficult for you to estimate the exact differences in costs between repair and replacement. Furthermore, the costs of repair and replacement can vary from area to area, due to the availability of materials and the different costs of living. Thus, being unable to estimate the differences between cost options will make decision-making on repair or replacement even harder for you.
This is why you should check with an expert and have them come over, ascertain the damages to your roof, and make detailed pricing for both repair and replacement. Knowing the cost differences will help you make better informed decisions, given your financial capabilities at the time. If experts’ advice is not available, you can also consult your friends or neighbors.
The roof is an important but often neglected part of your house, and often, people only start fixing the roof when damages have been done. This is why repair may not be effective and serious damages will call for a full replacement, which will certainly cost more. For your family’s own safety and cost savings, you should conduct regular roof maintenance to make sure the roof is secure, waterproof and undamaged. This will help reduce the needs for major repairs in the long term, or replacement before the roof reaches its full life.
