Re-Roofing / Repairs Versus New Roof Replacement
A roof is the essential element of the house. If it shows leakage or has signs of moulded materials, it will eventually make the entire structure vulnerable to significant damage, in some cases, re-roofing is the affordable solution to your roofing needs.
Therefore, regularly inspecting the roof and surrounding materials, such as flashings and attics, is imperative. In this way, you can detect when simple repairs are needed over the years or when you need to budget for a primary roof replacement.
Roofs do not usually receive much attention or appreciation – until there is a problem. The damage is probably significant when the roof needs to be completely redone or replaced.
First, you need to differentiate a roof repair from a roof replacement.
Sign that You might need a re-roof
Most of us are not used to looking closely at our roofs; the first sign that something is wrong is often a problem. Signs that might be noticeable are;
- Daylight is visible from inside your attic or attic
- Cracked, damaged or curly shingles
- Shingles granules in your gutters
- Cracked flashings around vents, skylights and chimneys
If you opt for an amendment, there are some essential points to consider before proceeding;
- The size of the area to be repacked impacts the cost of the work. However, weighing the cost of repairing the existing roof’s repair potential over several years may be worthwhile – a repair can be more economical in the long run.
- Several materials are available for recasting; they all have different price tags and advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes we have to weigh the cost of materials on quality and durability.
- If your property is in a conservation area or protected area, you may need to replace a roof under the style of the area.
Roof repair/re-roofing
Re-roofing involves superimposing new shingles (or other roofing materials) on existing shingles. Minor repairs must be done in advance. A new roof covers the old one and should only be done once.
The process is to put a new layer of shingles on an existing set. This can be a simple solution if the overall condition of the roof structure and support system is good.
It works best to do the whole roof rather than just repairing a section or side because you do not want multiple shingles in some places.
Repackaging can only be done once, which is inappropriate in all situations.
More than two layers add too much weight to the roof, and the nails may not penetrate properly, which may cause the shingles to fall or peel in cold weather. In addition, if there are any problems with the substructure, you only need to cover them rather than fix them.
But if only the shingles are worn, and there are no leaks, moss, mildew or other damage, this could be the solution to get a few more decades of using a roof.
Although you can save money with roof repairs, this solution is only suitable for minor roofing problems. But if the roof is ready to give up, replacement is the only option.
Signs you may need a roof replacement
A healthy roof on your home or business is essential to keeping your walls in place. If the roof of your property has suffered some damage, a routine repair of the roof may correct the problem.
However, there have been other times when damage to the roof of the building is too significant for a minor repair to repair sufficiently.
In these cases, you may need to complete a roof replacement. So, how do you know it’s time to replace the roof? Your best option is to seek the advice of an expert roofer but look through this quick list for some common reasons that may require the roof replacement.
A roof replacement is mandatory if;
- The existing roof appears in poor condition and lacks many shingles. In addition, if the roof material has become irregular and severely damaged, it would be impractical to lay new flat roofing.
- You do not know the age of the current roof, and its lifespan may be exceeded.
- The roof has already been redone and has too many shingles.
- After verifying local building codes, you discover roof repairs are the only viable option.
- You discover knotted or rotten wood and too much damage to replace.
- The roof structure reveals signs of subsidence or leakage.
- You want a newer roofing material requiring less maintenance.
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