Roofs are essential to every structure since they protect us from the sun, rain, wind, snow, and severe temperatures. Without this framework above your house, the inside of any residential or business area would quickly degrade.
Moreover, if the roof is in poor condition, you must deal with leaks, rodent infestations, mold and mildew, increased heating and cooling expenditures, and even selling issues.
Roofs, fortunately, are designed to survive for many years. So what should you do when natural calamities and typical wear and tear cause damage to your roof? It may be tough to discern whether you need to repair or replace your roof, particularly if you are unfamiliar with roofing.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. We’ll look at the decision-making process for repairing or replacing your roof from an expert’s standpoint.
We can also give you a free roof inspection to verify that you receive the best recommendations for your circumstance.
What Is the Roof Repair Process?
A roof repair may be sufficient to cure mild or moderate damage. This home renovation method may restore and even prolong the life of your roofing system.
It’s a project that almost every homeowner faces at some time. Even if the damage seems simple enough to repair, it’s always advisable to call a competent roofing company like V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co. to guarantee it’s done correctly.
Roof repair entails working on a small, isolated piece of your roof rather than pulling it down to replace it. Based on the extent of the damage, the repair procedure may include patching up holes and tiny gaps and replacing damaged or missing shingles and other components. Of course, you or a trained contractor must identify and diagnose the issue before you can repair your roof.
While evaluating a roof, you might use binoculars to survey the structure from the ground for any abnormalities. If you see any broken or missing shingles, punctures or holes, nail pops, cracked flashing, or granule loss, you have roofing concerns that must be treated immediately.
Consider having a free, professional inspection to ensure every roof nook and cranny is completely investigated. We provide conventional inspections, drone-based inspections, and a thorough assessment report and evaluation at V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co. We can also help you file an insurance claim if you need to use your homeowner’s insurance.
After the roof inspector determination of the magnitude of the problems, you should anticipate the following:
- A simple insurance claim process: At V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co., we collaborate with insurance companies rather than against them. If you have roof damage insurance, we will walk you through the inspection and insurance claim procedure.
- A complete contract: If the insurance company approves the work, we will supply you with a contract outlining the extent of the work, a timeframe, contact information, and price.
- A construction permit: After that, we will get the appropriate construction permission to begin the job. HOA permissions may also be included in permits.
- House preparation: Before working, we take the essential precautions to safeguard your property. We lay down tarps for the disposal zone and cover your landscaping for protection.
- Roof repair: We will repair your roof after everything is secure and ready.
- Clean-up: Fixing a roof is a nasty task. We will remove any debris from your property when the service is completed.
What is the Roof Replacement Process?
When you repair a roof, you restore a tiny portion of the structure. Nevertheless, if you replace it, you are replacing the visible region. This home improvement project necessitates removing everything to expose the deck before installing the new roof, and it may need repairs to sheathing, rafters, and trusses.
A roof replacement is frequently more costly upfront than a repair service since it requires much more labor. But there are certain cases when a new roof might help you save money in the long term.
When your roof is damaged by severe weather, such as tornadoes, hail, or straight-line winds, you’ll want insurance since coverage will determine whether your roof is repaired or replaced.
When you find your roof sagging, you should think about replacing it. It’s a severe issue indicating that your roof is about to collapse.
Roof replacement is a more involved and time-consuming operation than roof repair. Often roofing contractors require three to four days or more to complete a medium-sized roofing job. In most circumstances at V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co., we’ve reduced that to one day, particularly if you choose shingle roofing.
A replacement, like a roof repair, requires a thorough evaluation. A roofer will thoroughly inspect the degree of the damage to determine if a repair is adequate or whether a complete replacement is the best option.
When the contractor has identified all of the problems with your roof, they will begin with the roof replacement process, which includes:
- Removing the previous roofing: After securing your property, we will remove all existing shingles or roofing material to check the wood decking.
- Roof inspection: Next, we’ll look for any weakening timber, rot, or mold that wasn’t visible during the initial inspection.
- Preparing the deck: After the inspection, we will install drip edges along the eaves, an ice and water shield around the chimney, vents, roof valleys, and heavy-duty roofing felt on the roof deck.
- Installing the new roof: We’ll begin installing new roofing materials, working our way up from the bottom to ensure appropriate overlap. The roof covering, including the ridge cap, flashing, and ridge vents, will next be installed.
- Cleanup and final inspection: We are not finished until we have removed all garbage and debris from the location. We will also do a final check to verify everything is up to your standards.
Re-Roofing vs. Roof Replacement
Roof replacement and re-roofing are terms that some homeowners use interchangeably. Although both home repair jobs maintain your roofing system and replace its shingles, they differ.
Mold development, big gaps, missing shingles, damp shingles, or substantial leaks (or leaks after heavy rains) on the roof and decking under the roof would likely need a complete roof replacement. But, if your roof has just one layer of shingles and has minor cracks or leaks, it may be time to re-roof.
Regarding roofing jobs, re-roofing is the easiest and least expensive option to repair the look of a roof. It does not need as much time, effort, or materials as roof replacement. No roof components must be removed for this home repair job. If you can match the old with the new, you may simply install the new shingle overlay or roofing material on top of the old, worn ones.
Yet, since you are only covering up the damage, re-roofing does not last as long as a roof replacement. It simply provides a temporary barrier to leakage. Also, since you won’t be able to inspect the deck, you won’t see whether there are any problems underneath.
How to Choose Between A Repair and Replacement
Unlike a fresh coat of paint or a new finish on your cabinets, fixing or replacing your roof are big home improvement jobs that should be carefully considered. You must use the proper technique to guarantee that your roof is in good shape while receiving your money’s worth.
Nobody wants to replace broken shingles only to discover that the issue is deeper. There is no use in ripping down the whole roof and investing a large portion of your funds if basic repairs suffice. There are many aspects to consider before deciding on the best strategy to address your roof problem.
Roof Age
Although roofs are intended to withstand the elements and intense weather, nothing lasts forever. Every roofing material has a lifetime or sell-by date that may be used to determine whether to replace a roof. Asphalt roofing shingles, for example, often last just two decades.
However, clay tiles and metal roofing materials may wear out considerably more slowly. As the lifetime of your roof is almost finished, it will begin to disintegrate and exhibit indications of age. Replacing the whole roof rather than paying for repairs regularly is typically a better option.
Want to know more about the many kinds of roofing materials and how long they last? To understand more, see our articles on tile roofing and shingle roofing.
Roof Condition
The next item to think about is the state of your roof or the amount of its damage. It might have merely degraded in appearance or experienced severe physical harm. In certain circumstances, the damage to your roof may be too severe for a repair to be effective. For example, a tree may have fallen on your roof, producing multiple massive holes that cannot be repaired.
If the damage is modest to severe and is localized in a small area or covers less than 30% of your roof, you may be able to restore it with a roof repair. Yet, the depth of certain problems may not be visible, particularly if the issue lies under the surface. Dealing with a seasoned and competent roofing firm, such as V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co., can provide a full inspection and is the best option.
Affected Roof Area
The damaged area may also assist you in deciding whether to repair or replace the roof. A roofing firm may be able to repair the damage if it is isolated or restricted to a small region. For instance, if you find a leak in your bedroom or dining room, you may have a little hole on top of that location.
Any form of damage contained to a small area may typically be repaired and patched up, eliminating the need for a new roof. Nevertheless, if the damage affects more than 30% of your roof, it is preferable to replace the whole roof.
How Long Do You Intend to Stay in Your Home?
Many homeowners prefer to engage in various home improvement projects to raise the value of their houses. A roofing system upgrade is one of the most common options. Yet, if you want to sell your property and increase its worth, you must consider the timing. In certain cases, an emergency roofing improvement is required.
If you get a new job in another city, you will likely have to relocate quickly. A complete roof replacement may not be the best option since this process might take a long time. Depending on its size, complexity, weather, and other considerations, roof firms may take three to five days to complete your roof.
Although most roof replacements are completed in a single day by V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co., submitting claims, drawing permits, and securing other approvals may take up to 20-30 days. If you are short on time, a roof repair may suffice to guarantee that everything is in excellent working order.
Do You Have a Substantial Insurance Claim?
The expense of replacing or repairing your roof may be enormous, reaching hundreds of dollars. Of course, the size of your roof, damage amount, and location will all play a role. That is why individuals get homeowners insurance, which covers the expense of numerous house issues.
Each house insurance policy is unique, but it normally covers your roof and the expense of replacing or repairing it. Unfortunately, the payout may only cover losses caused by natural disasters or unexpected incidents. Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of repairing or replacing roofs that have deteriorated due to negligence or natural wear and tear.
Working with V. Guinta & Son Roofing Co. gives you the extra advantage of working with specialists with years of expertise and understanding in dealing with insurance claims. We can walk you through the whole process and contact the insurance company to ensure everyone is on the same page. We also provide detailed, free roof inspections with expert evaluation reports to assist you in receiving the best possible result and coverage.
Pros and Cons of Roof Repair
In certain cases, a roof repair job is not the best option. Let us look at the benefits and drawbacks of each choice to help you balance your alternatives wisely. These are some of the benefits and drawbacks of roof repair:
Pros:
- Roof repairs are less expensive.
- Repair tasks are quick to complete.
- They may assist in extending the life of your roof.
Cons:
- It may be difficult to match the colors of replacement shingles to the original ones. These repairs may impact the cosmetic value of your roof and result in a less desirable curb appeal.
- Bad patching and craftsmanship might lead to further issues.
- It has the potential to conceal underlying issues.
Roof Replacement Pros and Cons
Roof replacement is a more expensive home improvement undertaking than roof maintenance. Here are some benefits and drawbacks of roof replacement to help you make an informed decision:
Pros:
- It treats all roofing issues, even those concealed under the tiles.
- In the long term, a new roof may help you save money.
- It has the potential to improve curb attractiveness.
- It has the potential to enhance energy efficiency and lower utility expenses.
- A replacement roof will outlast a repair.
Cons:
- A whole roof renovation will need extra materials, time, and work.
- It’s a more costly project.
- A roof replacement job may take longer to complete than a repair one.
Bottom Line: Should You Repair or Replace Your Roof?
Now that you know the difference between roof repair and roof replacement, you surely understand how vital an inspection is for assessing your specific roof status. We invite you to book a free inspection with us so that we may evaluate your roof, determine its real state, and recommend and give the best solution to your specific roofing difficulties.
Allowing a professional to make this choice for you is simpler, and there is no expense, so it’s a win-win situation. Please contact us if you have any questions before booking an inspection. We are happy to help!