Some roof problems are pretty minor and require only a few repairs, but significant roofing issues often mean that you’ll likely need the entire roof replaced.
But how can homeowners tell the difference? How do you know whether you’ll be able to get away with a relatively limited repair project or if you’ll need to have the existing shingles torn off and replaced (as well as the underlayment or even roof decking in some cases)?
Answering that question is often pretty complicated and requires an inspection by a professional roofer. But we’ll share a few of the things that you can consider that may help you get an idea of which type of roofing services you’ll need.
Roof Repair or Replacement: 10 Important Questions to Ask
Every roofing situation is unique, but there are several factors you can consider that’ll help you start figuring out if you’re looking at repairs or a full roof replacement.
These factors tend to fall into one of two categories: those that relate to the extent of the problems present and those that relate to the economics of the situation. Both kinds of questions will be important to answer, but we’ll address them separately, below.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing material used in Toledo, Ohio, so we’ll primarily focus on them. However, we’ll also touch on other materials for homeowners with metal or tile roofs.
Four Questions That’ll Help You Determine the Extent of Your Roof’s Problem
The first set of questions you’ll want to answer relates to the severity of the problem. This will help you start deciding whether you can repair or replace your existing roof.
1. Are there visible signs of damage to the roof?
It’s always a good idea to start by conducting a visual examination of your roof’s surface. But for safety’s sake, do so from the ground; leave the rooftop inspections to the professionals. You may, however, want to use a pair of binoculars so that you can see details better.
Scan your roof methodically, focusing on a few square feet at a time. Start at the bottom corner and make passes traveling from one side to the other, then move your binoculars up a few feet and swipe back the opposite way. Continue this process until you’ve examined your entire roof, and be sure to look from the front and back of your home (and the sides, if applicable).
You want to look for things like excessive wear and tear, missing shingles, damaged shingles, or visible underlayment, as well as shingles that appear smooth (this often happens when shingles are missing granules). You’ll also want to look for any areas of discoloration, pieces of bent or damaged metal flashing, or accumulations of organic material.
Hopefully, you won’t notice problems affecting a significant portion of your roof, such as a large number of missing or damaged shingles, as this will increase the chances of a simple roof repair being sufficient. However, the more problems you see (particularly if they’re serious problems), the more likely you are to need complete roof replacement.
2. Are there signs of roof damage inside your home?
Having inspected the roof from outside, you can now head into the interior of your home.
You’ll want to start by looking around any area in which you’ve seen signs of potential roof damage, such as a roof leak in your ceiling. Carefully examine the entire area to ensure you understand the full extent of the damage. For example, you’ll need to check the walls and floor near the roof leak location to see if there is additional water damage.
After inspecting any areas you’ve already noticed a problem, give the rest of your house a once-over. Be sure to check ceilings, the upper portions of walls, and your floors for water stains or moisture accumulation. And don’t just stick to the upper levels of your house – check every floor, as water can follow structural beams and end up emerging in your basement.
If you don’t find any problems inside or only spot a minor problem in one area, you may be able to fix the issue by just having your roof repaired. But if you start noticing problems in several different areas, roof replacement starts to become the more likely solution.
3. Are there any problems in your attic?
Your attic is certainly considered an interior space, but because it is often one of the first places in which roof damage will manifest, you want to give it special attention. So, head up there during a sunny day and take a look (we’ll explain why you want to do so when it’s sunny in a moment).
Start by looking for the most obvious signs of damage, such as active roof leaks or puddles. You’ll then want to move on to subtler signs of potential roof damage, such as damp insulation or moisture stains. Check the roof and floors for moisture stains, as they may only appear in one place.
But before you leave the attic, you’ll want to check for one more thing: holes in the roof deck. Unfortunately, holes aren’t always easy to spot, as the shingles may still be intact. So, turn off the lights (assuming you can do so safely), and look up at the roof. The combination of a dark attic and bright sunlight should make these easy to see, even if the shingles are still in place.
The more signs of damage you find in your attic, the more likely you will need a complete roof replacement. But if you see only a small amount of damage (or none at all), minor repairs may be enough.
4. Does the damage appear to be widespread or localized?
Whether you see external damage or interior problems, you’ll want to consider the scope of the problem. Is the issue restricted to one small space, or does it affect a large portion of your roof? Do you have several small problems located in different areas of your home?
Broadly speaking, small, localized problems are more likely to be good candidates for repair. But if you see lots of different problem areas or a single large area of concern, you’re more likely to need full roof replacement.
However, this can be misleading in some cases. For example, a single, relatively minor roof leak may cause issues in several different parts of your home’s interior. You may see a small amount of dripping water in the living room, as well as a water stain on your basement ceiling. But these signs may be connected to the same primary cause, which means that roof repairs may still be sufficient.
Six Questions That’ll Help You Decide Whether Repairs or Replacement Is a More Cost-Effective Solution
At this point, you should probably have a good idea of the extent of your roof problems.
If you have determined that your problems are at either end of the spectrum (very minor or very significant), you may already have your answer. For example, if you have a number of serious issues affecting several parts of your roof, you probably don’t even need to worry about the cost-to-benefit ratio; you’re probably going to need a new roof installation. Conversely, if you have only a single, small problem, roof repairs will likely suffice.
But if your roof appears to be somewhere between these two extremes, you’ll want to start considering the financial aspects of the situation. You can do that by asking the following questions.
1. How old is your roof?
Because most asphalt roofs will only last about 15 to 25 years, you want to consider your roof’s age. If your roof is already 15 to 20 years old, it’s typically going to make more sense to simply replace it. The money spent repairing an aging roof would typically be better applied to a new roof. Why spend thousands of dollars to repair a roof that’ll require full replacement in a few years anyway?
There is a bit of nuance here, though, as different kinds of roofing materials last for different lengths of time. Budget-friendly 3-tab asphalt shingles typically only last 15 to 25 years, but premium shingles, thick architectural shingles, and wood shake shingles often last for 25 to 30 years. Meanwhile, metal, slate, or tile roofs may last 40, 50, or 60 years before requiring roof replacement.
2. Has your roof experienced recent storm damage or hail?
High winds, torrential rains, and hail may all cause significant damage to your home’s roof. In fact, severe weather is one of the most common reasons people start experiencing roof problems.
But there’s an important reason to consider damage caused by storms: Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover the damage your roof has suffered. The exact amount of money you’ll receive will vary based on the details of your policy, the age of the roof, and other factors. However, in some cases, you’ll receive enough to pay for an entirely new roof.
In these cases, the answer becomes crystal clear: Go ahead and have your roofing contractor replace your entire roof. Even if the settlement offer you receive isn’t enough to pay for a new roof by itself, it may still be enough to justify having a new roof installed.
For example, if your roof is already 15 or 20 years old, you should probably be considering roof replacement. And if your insurance provider is willing to pay for 25% or 50% of the cost of a new roof, it simply makes more sense to go ahead and have a new roof installed.
3. Is your roof still under warranty?
Your homeowner’s insurance policy isn’t the only type of protection you may have for your roof – your roof may also be under warranty. This warranty may be offered by the manufacturer of your roofing materials, the roofing company who installed your roof, or both.
Warranties differ in their coverage, as some are prorated (meaning that you’ll receive less money for roof repairs as time passes), while others are not. It’s also important to note that things like improper installation may void your warranty — yet another reason it’s always important to work with reputable roofing professionals.
You’ll simply have to check the details of the warranty you have and determine how much money you’re likely to receive if you make a claim. From there, you’ll simply have to weigh the value of using this money to decide whether you should repair or replace your roof.
4. What are your long-term plans for the house?
The longer you intend to remain in your home, the more sense it makes to invest the additional money in having your roof replaced. Having a new roof installed is a significant investment, so you may not want to spend a lot of money on a home you intend to leave within the next year or two, if repairs will work for the time being.
With that said, a brand new roof can increase your home’s curb appeal and overall value significantly. It can also help you avoid potential problems with the home inspection. So, you will have to consider a variety of factors.
Nevertheless, as a general rule, the longer you intend to stay in the home, the more sense it makes to replace your roof.
5. How do you feel about the roof’s style, color, and appearance?
If you love the way your current roof looks, you may want to go to greater lengths to have it repaired rather than replaced – especially if the existing roof was expensive. Tearing off all of the shingles (or other roof covering material) and starting fresh can be a bit heartbreaking in these kinds of situations.
On the other hand, if you don’t particularly like your existing roof, you may want to lean more toward complete replacement. This will give you the chance to select the type of roof covering you’d prefer, consider various color and style options, and ultimately end up with something you like better anyway.
This is especially true in cases where the price difference between repairs and roof replacement was small.
6. Have you had to repair the roof before?
While you may be able to address minor problems in a roof that’s in relatively good condition, minor repairs may not be feasible if your roof has already suffered from issues and needed multiple repairs in the past. The exact point at which further repairs are no longer advisable will vary from one home and situation to the next, and the final decision will be a bit of a judgment call.
The extent of the repairs needed will also play a part in determining whether repair or full replacement is needed. You may have only had to repair your roof once before, but if those repairs involved a lot of square footage, your roof may not be a good candidate for further repairs at this point.
Whether You Need Roof Repair or Replacement, Choose a Roofer You Can Trust
Whether you are missing asphalt shingles, need a few shingles repaired, or are in need of an entire roof replacement, it’s important to choose a professional roofing contractor you can trust for your next roofing project. This way, you don’t have to second-guess their recommendations, and you can truly rely on their experience.
That’s exactly what you get when you hire Frogtown Roofing — Toledo, Ohio’s preferred roofing contractor. We’ve been providing roofing services for your neighbors for more than 10 years and have built a reputation for providing the kind of high-quality work you deserve.
Contact us now and schedule a free roofing inspection!
