Replacing vs Repairing Your Roof: How to Decide

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When it comes to your roof, you want it to be in best condition possible. However, to those who are not roofing experts, it can be difficult at times to tell whether you need to replace the entire thing or just get it repaired. Below, Schroeder Roofing and Gutters lays out 8 factors as to how to decide between the two and what is in your roof's best interest.

What is Your Roof's Age?

How old your roof is definitely affects whether or not you need to get it replaced. If you have a newer roof that was installed only a couple of years back, it's unlikely you will need to get it replaced unless there is an irreversible amount of damage.

 

Roofs have an expected lifespan when installed that is based off of the materials used and manufacturers. Majority of roofs ten to last 10-15 years. If you have a small spot with hail damage and your roof is only a couple of years old, Schroeder Roofing & Gutters recommends just getting it repaired instead of replaced.

How Bad the Damage Is

Example of a Roof that Needs Repaired
Example of a Roof that Needs Repaired
Example of a Roof that Needs Replaced
Example of a Roof that Needs Replaced

Another factor that goes into choosing between repairing or replacing your roof is the extent of damage it has sustained. Examine the damage to decide if it can be a quick fix.

 

Look at your shingles. Is there only one or two missing from the most recent storm? If this is the case, you probably just need these problem spots to be repaired. However, if you have leaks, water getting in, extensive amounts of hail or wind damage, or your decking is exposed, it's time to get the roof replaced.

Type of Roof

The type of roof you have is also a big part of whether or not you need to get it replaced. Slate roof's usually last for years on end, so if you have damage to them, it's normally worth it to just get those areas repaired. Same with tile roofs. The individual tiles that are damage can easily be repaired.

 

However, if you have damage that was caused by structural failure, or your deck is damaged, it makes more sense to get the entire roof replaced even if the remaining, un-damaged tiles are salvageable. Repairing broken shingles will not extend the lifespan of the ones still intact.

Roof repair, worker with yellow gloves replacing red tiles or shingles on house with blue sky as background and copy space.
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Urgency

If a big storm is coming and you don't have time to schedule and complete an entire re-roof job, repairing the problem areas will provide at least a temporary fix. It will also help you avoid further damage in the future.

 

You may be thinking that you'll let the storm hit and then get your roof replaced after because you were planning on doing so anyways. However, this isn't always the best idea. Some levels of damage can get so bad during a storm that it makes getting a new roof that much more expensive.

 

Schroeder Roofing & Gutters recommends temporarily getting the problem areas fixed beforehand. This will help you avoid paying more money in the future when the time does come to get the roof replaced.

Thinking Long Term

Are you planning on moving out of your house in the near future? Or do you plan to live there for years to come?

 

These are questions you should be asking yourself when deciding what to do with your roof. If you plan on selling anytime soon, replacing your roof will catch house hunter's eyes and appeal to them more than a repaired roof that they will have to get replaced themselves.

 

However if you plan on raising a family and staying long term in your home, small amounts of damage can be repaired without getting a completely new roof. This isn't the case however if you have extensive amounts of damage to the structure of your home.

Being Energy Efficicant

Roofing materials are improving year after year when it comes to being energy efficient. Roofs continue to evolve in this area and there are more and more options to choose from than before. Schroeder Roofing & Gutters recommends replacing your roof if it's getting older to make it more energy efficient. This can help you save more money in the future by making up for the cost of installation in energy savings.

Making Sure You're Up to Code

Instead of completely taking off the old shingles and replacing your roof, you can also do something called re-roofing. This is the act of leaving the original shingles that are on your roof and laying new ones over top of them. Re-roofing can save you more money and is more time efficient. However, there are a couple of downsides to this process:

  • If your home already have two layers of shingles, most building codes do not allow a third one to be put over them. This is due to the excessive amount of weight this causes.
  • If the old shingles are not removed, there is no way to know if there was damage previously done.
  • Re-roofing can lessen or flat out void the warranty on your new shingles. They will not last as long as a roof replacement.
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Finding What Works with Your Budget

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Of course, the first thing most people consider when it comes to their roof is the cost. It can be tempting to go with the cheapest route. However, doing so without considering these other factors can cost you more money in the long run and can make your home more susceptible to damage.

 

Schroeder Roofing & Gutters recommends taking all factors into consideration while also keeping your budget in mind. We don't want you to break the bank just as much as you don't! However, if you are unsure of how bad your roof's damage is or if you aren't certain you should be getting it replaced or repaired, give us a call to set up your FREE inspection. Leave it to the experts to give you the best and most cost efficient answers.

 

-Written & Published by Elease Marolf, Associate Content Writer at Gateway Design & Home