As your property ages, you must choose whether to keep making roof repairs or restore or replace the roof. You should engage an expert in roof services to inspect the roof before making any choice. Roofing specialists can address roofing problems in three major ways:
- Roof repair: Fixing minor issues, such as cracks and leaks.
- Roof restoration: Improving the general state of the roof, such as installing a new, moisture-free, well-insulated roof system on top of the old one.
- Roof replacement is necessary when the roof has sustained irreparable damage, is old, or the restoration costs are more than half the costs of installing a new roof.
You and your roof specialist must weigh essential considerations to choose the best course of action when deciding whether to replace, restore, or repair your roof.
Table of Contents
The degree of damage
Repairs would be less expensive if the damage to the roof is minor or only affects a small portion of the roof. Repairs are feasible as long as the damage is less than 20 percent of the roof. However, you should consider a reroofing project in cases where the roof damage is considerable or impacts a significant area. Severely damaged roofs should be restored or replaced.
Aesthetic versus structural damages
Call a roofing specialist to inspect for structural or cosmetic damage when you notice any warning signs of a deteriorating roof. Moisture condensation can create the appearance of a leak when there isn’t one. A roof must be replaced if moisture cannot be eliminated during repair. Repairing minor aesthetic damage is possible, but roof restoration is the only way to address severe aesthetic damage. Roof restoration or replacement would be necessary for structural damage, such as leaky roofs that pose a concern or compromise the building’s structural soundness.
The roof’s age
Roof lifespans range from fifteen to one hundred years, depending on the kind of materials utilized. Slate and cement roofing can endure 50 to 100 years, while asphalt roll roofing has the shortest lifespan. If the roof is not too old, a roof replacement or restoration may not be required, even though it could improve curb appeal. However, if the original roof is in acceptable shape, a roof repair or restoration is preferable.
Damaged areas
Roof restoration would be less expensive than installing a new roof if the damage extends to pricey equipment or critical spots of the house. Should the damage be too severe, a new roof would be required. Repair is not a recommended course of action if the same area of the roof continues to cause problems.
Weather and timing
Roof repairs are necessary in emergencies, such as water leaks. However, it is best to put off complete roof replacements and restorations until there is friendly weather and when the property has the least use.
Cost
Finally, consider the costs of the various options. Roof repair and restoration is less expensive than roof replacement. A restoration will increase the roof’s lifespan and reduce maintenance expenses if the roof’s overall condition is good. You should work with your roof specialist to do a thorough cost-benefit analysis and identify any immediate and long-term problems with roof repair, restoration, or replacement.
