When Does Roof Repair Become Roof Replacement?
Sooner or later, every homeowner faces the question of whether roof repair will do the trick or if full roof replacement is needed. Knowing when to decide between the two helps you ensure your roofing will have maximum longevity, and safeguard both your investment and peace of mind. But it’s not always obvious to the untrained eye when it’s time for one or the other. So the roofing specialists at Stay Dry Roofing in the Indianapolis area have some tips to help you know when to choose between them.
Understanding Your Particular Roof Repair Needs
The right decision is essential in order to minimize both immediate and longer termed expenses in roof repair or replacement down the road. If your roof is larger than average and/or with complexities in pitches or other unique features, understanding some basics are essential before looking at roofing contractors for hire.
To begin with, you’ll want to decide if simple patching of a leak or area with damage is the right route or if roof repair should entail the undertaking of partially or completely do roof replacement. If you are leaning toward full roof replacement over roof repair, the next deciding factor should be if you will re-roof over the roofing that is already in place or if your present roof should be fully removed. In each of these cases, you will want to carefully consider the costs.
Small Repairs
Shingle replacement to repair damages due to winds or tree limbs that have fallen is generally done with relative ease and lesser expense than more extensive roof repair. Individual shingling that has formed tears or some other damage is removable individually and a fresh shingle can replace each one.
Of course, you should be prepared for a mismatch in the shingle’s shade to that of the rest of your roof if your roof has some years on it, or if you don’t have an exact match from any leftover shingling from when you had your present roof installed. This is a reasonable trade off, however, if your roof is not near the end of its life span. A roof repair like simple shingle replacement can extend your roof’s wear for many more years.
On the other hand if you are planning on selling your home within three or four years or so, but need to have a simple roof repair like a few shingle replacements done, consider having the repair done with an fresh order of shingling that matches your current roof as closely as possible. An obvious, mismatched, patchy looking repair can be off-putting to prospective buyers.
Larger Roof Repair Options
In the event of more serious damages, you may decide that a partial reroof is suitable if damages are isolated to a specific area of the roof. This roof repair option, if possible, has the potential to save you thousands of dollars rather going with a total roof replacement. In addition, a partial roof replacement can be more easily blended into the color and shading of the rest of the roof, making the roof repair less likely to be noticed.
There are important things to consider, however, if you opt for a partial roof repair. Though it seems counter intuitive, partial roof replacement costs more per square area (ten feet by ten feet) than a complete reroofing. As an example: if you have more than one layer of asphalt roofing already, keep in mind that every layer must be taken off before the partial roof replacement is done. This, of course, adds to the cost of labor and disposal. And the removal of multiple layers of roofing from one area may create an uneven appearance where the replacement meets the older roof. While a quality roofing contractor will strive to make the new partial roof repair match the older roofing in color, shading and thickness, it may still be evident.
Full Roof Replacement: Cheaper Over The Long Run?
In many cases, even though only a particular area is in need of roof repair, it may make sense to have a full roof replacement done. If the area in need of repair is sizable, doing a complete roof replacement can actually cost you less. You will not being paying twice for the roofing crew by having them return in just a few years down the road. For example: a reasonable quote for a roof repair to a single side of a seventeen-year-old hip roof (a roof with the ends inclined, as well as the sides), is approximately $2,800. 00. Yet a reasonable quote for a full replacement of the same roof is likely to be approximately $9,000.00. The $9,000.00 breaks down to $2,250.00 for each side of the hip roof. Considering the age of the roof (roofs generally age out in about twenty years), the wiser course would be to opt for full roof replacement.
When deciding the right time to go with a complete roof replacement, you should take into account these things:
- How worn or old is the shingling?
- What is your average seasonal weather where you live?
- How susceptible is the roof to damages due to weather, high wind conditions and other potential risks?
- When going with a complete roof replacement, is it better to install the new roof over the old one or get rid of it? Where you live in the U.S. will impact this decision. Note: When an existing roof has 2 layers, Code Enforcement will not allow new roofing to be laid over them. This is primarily a weight tolerance issue that can compromise the structural integrity of a house.
Roof Decking & Multiple Layers Of Shingles
A few more things to consider when deciding to tear away old roofing. Having the old layer(s) might be a money-saver down the road, especially if where you live experiences frequent storms or regular, seasonal high winds. Shingling secures much more strongly when affixed directly to roof decking. In addition, having the old layers removed allows for a thorough inspection of your existing decking and sheathing material, checking for rotting wood, insect damage and insufficient sheath fastenings.
Particularly considering the condition of the sheath, this can very possibly prevent extreme roof or interior damage to your house later on caused by heavy storms or other disasters. In the Indianapolis area and Indiana, starting off your new roof replacement or large area roof repair with well-cleaned decking allows for protective membranes designed to guard against ice dams and water damage at the eaves.
Certainly, complete roof replacement is a large expenditure. But done right the first time, roof repair whether large or small, full roof or partial, will help ensure you get the greatest longevity out of this important investment and save you money and stress in the long run.
Stay Dry Roofing Is Here To Help
Stay Dry Roofing is happy to help with any questions or concerns about your roof repair or replacement needs. Family owned and operated, we ‘re proud of our 5 Star Google ratings. Give us a call at (317) 603-5550 or use our Contact Page to arrange for your FREE ESTIMATE. We serve Indianapolis, Avon, Carmel, Brownsburg, Fishers, Martinsville and more!