Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement

Maybe you’re looking turn up your curb appeal. Maybe you’re looking to improve the performance of your roof or fix damage from the seasons and years of use. But if you’re considering making changes to your roof, you might not know whether you should go with repair or replacement. Read on to find out how what your next home improvement project calls for.

Signs That Your Roof Needs Fixing

• Light: It might not sound like a problem at first, but light streaming into your attic could be your first sign that your roof is eroding.
• Peeling paint: The condition of your exterior can indicate moisture problems underneath, the result of rain getting in through the cracks.
• Moss or algae: Similarly, unwelcome green is a sign of moisture. The same goes for dark, dirty, cracked or curling shingles.
• Missing shingles: One or two are known to fly away in a wind storm, but if you’re noticing a trend you should look into repair or replacement.
• Granules in the gutter: If you have asphalt shingles, you might see their granules in the gutter. These minerals are important to the integrity of the shingles.
• Sagging: A sagging roof bed might be how your trouble presents itself, but it can also indicate a deeper problem with your house’s foundation.
• Higher energy bills: The damage might not be obvious at first, but you’ll start to see hints of it in a spiking energy bill as air escapes your house.

Some of these signs are obviously more serious than others. How you determine whether the job calls for repair or a total replacement, however, will come down to a few things.

Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement: Damage

If the damage covers much of your roof or is extreme in nature, it may not be worth it to repair. Damage to its essential function of keeping the elements out of your house. So don’t be stubborn when it comes to water damage and soggy or missing shingles. In this case, you’d be better off investing in a new roof.

Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement: Time

You’re someone who knows good things to come to those who wait. But you can’t wait forever to have a good, working roof. This is especially true if you’re dealing with roof issues now and not making a cosmetic or proactive fix.

Roof replacement entails stripping the old roof away and replacing it with a new one. To prepare for your new roof, you’ll need to clear away the old roofing material. This involves prying off each shingle (or panel, in the case of metal roofs).

Once the visible part of the roof is stripped away, you may find you need to replace the flashing as well. This refers to the galvanized metal covering the roof joints. Then you’ll put down an underlayment, the foundation to a sealed, secure roof, finally the replacement. Professionals can tackle this in anywhere from one to four days.

Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement: Cost

The biggest reason you’re probably debating repair and replacement is cost. You want to know if you can squeeze more life out of your roof. Reroofing, or repair, is considered less expensive than replacement. But there are some exceptions. If you choose the DIY route – or don’t go through a reputable roofing company – you may end up paying more later in future repairs.

A big factor in the cost will come down to the materials. If you’re augmenting your existing roof, you’ll be limited to the shingles it came with. These may be something economical but not very strong. If you’re taking the plunge with a whole new roof, you open your project up to newer, smarter constructions that may not have been available when you bought your house.

You Should Not Reroof If…

You’re a shrewd consumer, so you’ve weighed your choices. But something else to consider is feasibility: not every roof is even eligible for repair.

You want to be sure your fix addresses the underlying problems with your roof. Continually adding new shingles over the old ones will emphasize, or telegraph, pre-existing flaws. Any bubbles or bumps will just get bigger with each layer.

Additionally, your roof can only support two layers, so you can’t just keep reroofing forever. That makes replacement the clear choice for people who’ve already done this kind of project on their roof.

The Bottom Line on Roof Repair and Replacement

Depending on your situation, there may be reasons not to go for the whole replacement. But there isn’t as much an argument not to replace, as overreacting with replacement doesn’t carry the risks of insufficient repair. If you suspect bigger issues with your roof deck, be sure to investigate them and not just pursue a cosmetic fix.

Everything that goes into a roof replacement is brand new. Sometimes a roof repair will just delay the process and you simply won’t be saving on energy bills with a bandage fix. With a brand new roof replacement, you’re guaranteed to save on energy bills and the value on your home will skyrocket.

At Feldco Roofing, we simply provide the best asphalt shingles that feature a breakthrough design and outstanding triple layer protection to keep your roof insulated year-round. Speak to a product specialist and get a free quote online today.