A little prevention is worth a lot of care when it comes to your house. To put it simply, keeping up with regular roof repairs benefits the beauty of your property as well as your bank account. The long-term costs will outweigh the short-term savings from putting off necessary repairs.
Home improvement decisions aren’t always simple. For instance, repairing a roof rather than replacing it is occasionally viable and entirely appropriate. To what extent you should repair the roof depends on the level of damage and how much the total roof surface needs to be repaired.
Would replacing the roof do instead of replacing it?
Some roofs only require a few shingles to be replaced to be beautiful and functional again. This is because roofing materials like asphalt shingles and current roofing designs are built to last for the lifetime of your house.
Let a licensed roofer inspect your roof before replacing its shingles to ensure they are not damaged. There’s a world of difference between a few blown-off shingles and a leak that seeps into your ceiling. Re-roofing the house is the best option when the damage is severe. It’s also more cost-effective.
Is it alright to mix the shingles?
Remember that shingles are subjected to wind, rain, and snow. The “new” shingles on your roof may be difficult to match if the ones on your roof are wrapped in lichen or moss. This is true even if you have an extra box of shingles left from your previous roof installation.
It may not be easy to merge replacement shingles with the rest of the roof, depending on the size and the location that has to be replaced. So the only time you should nail down new shingles is in an inconspicuous position or if the section is small enough that they won’t be noticed.
Is it okay to replace only a few shingles?
Patching may work in some cases, but it has the same drawbacks as simply changing a few shingles. A professional roofer should be called in, and a thorough assessment should be performed to evaluate if a repair will increase the lifespan of your roof without causing more damage.
Below are the signs if your roof has major damage:
- Shingles that are starting to buckle at the edge.
- Granules are showing up. These are small pieces that look like pebbles, coating the outer part of the shingle.
- Rot or water leakage in your attic.
- A sagging roof is a clear sign of major problems.
Even if you can repair your roof, the result may not be attractive to the eye. Because a patch covers a significantly larger area than a few missing shingles, it’s more challenging to blend the patched area with the rest of the roofing system.
Reasons to replace your roof
There are several considerations to mind before deciding whether you will have roof repairs or replace your roof. First, consult a house roofing specialist before replacing your roof when the time comes.
Here are some major reasons for roof replacement:
- There are signs of water damage or moisture: You should replace your entire roof rather than patching or repair it if you discover symptoms of moisture within your houses, such as peeling paint, discolouration on the ceiling, or mildew.
- A disaster has recently hit: Hurricanes, tornados, or other severe storm damage to your neighbourhood’s roof may necessitate a complete roof replacement. Any harsh winter can even force an ailing roof to fail.
Always consult the experts when deciding whether to repair or replace your roof. They can tell what’s best for your roof. While replacing the entire roof is expensive, it can save you some money in the long run. On the other hand, preventive repairs may prolong the life of your roof.
