What is Covered in Roof Repair?
A roof repair can only help solve minor or moderate damage. This home improvement process can help extend the life of an older roof without getting deeper into your pockets.
Although most of these damages may seem easy enough to DIY, it is always recommended to hire a qualified roofing company or contractor to ensure it is properly fixed. A roof repair involves working on a specific isolated portion of your roof and may include patching up small gaps and holes or replacing missing or damaged shingles. Professional roofing contractors can scan the entire roof with a pair of binoculars to identify cracked flashing, broken or missing shingles, nail pops, or granule loss.
What is Covered in a Roof Replacement?
A roof replacement involves getting rid of the entire roofing structure and adding new roofing tiles or shingles in place. This home improvement process will require you to strip off everything and may involve repairs to rafters, sheathing, and trusses. Replacing an entire roof is usually expensive upfront but may save you money in the long run. A repair can help solve your immediate problem but could recur in the future if it was not done properly or the same problem might pop up in a different area. Since a roof replacement is a complex and more involving process, it is best left to the professionals to ensure it is done right.
How to Decide Between Repairing Your Roof or Replacing it
- The Affected Roof Area
The scope of the affected area on the roof can help you decide whether to repair or replace it. If the damage is limited or isolated to a small area, a roofing company may advise to repair it. For instance, if you notice a leak over your dining room or bedroom, there is a high chance that you could have a minor hole on top of that area. In this case, it will not be necessary to invest in a new roof for a type of damage that is confined to a small space because it can be patched up. However, if the damage exceeds more than 30 percent of your roof, it may be advisable to have it replaced rather than repaired.
- The Age of Your Roof
Many roofs are often built tough to protect you against extreme weather and other elements. However, it is important to keep in mind that nothing lasts forever. Different roofing materials have their lifespan or sell-by date that can be used to determine when to replace a roof. For instance, metal roofing materials and clay tiles can take a very long time to wear down, unlike asphalt shingles, which can only last for two decades. A roof will start to deteriorate once its lifespan is over and this happens when it starts to show signs of aging. In this case, a roof replacement can help fix the problem and save you money on endless repairs.
- How Long do you Intend to Stay in your Home?
One of the reasons why homeowners invest in many home improvement projects is to increase their property’s value. If you have stayed in your home for a very long time and you are looking to bump up its value when you plan to sell it, a roof replacement can turn the tides in your favor. Some situations may call for an immediate roofing upgrade and the best that you can do is to go with the flow. Whether to repair or replace your roof will depend on how soon you want to sell the home. A roof repair may be sufficient to keep it in good condition if you are operating under strict time constraints. However, if you have all the time, a roof replacement can help you get a higher return on investment.
A roof repair can help you solve minor problems but could also make you spend more if you find yourself dealing with endless repairs. A roof replacement, on the other hand, not only solves all the immediate problems but also improves the overall appearance of your home. In the end, the decision to choose between a roof repair or replacement all comes down to individual budgets and preferences.