Your roof is a critical part of your house, so making the right decisions when it comes to repairs or replacement is important. You need to know what to do if your roof suddenly has a leak. Should you have your shingles repaired? Do you need a new roof? Answering these questions will depend on the extent and nature of the damage, as well as the age of your roof, its current condition and your own personal goals, priorities and budget. We strongly recommend consulting with a roofing professional before making your decision.
Clear Choice Exteriors Your Local Window Depot, the top roofing company in Fostoria, OH, will help you communicate with your contractor properly. In today’s article, we explain how to tell if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. We will also discuss situations in which it is more practical to choose one option over the other. Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of choosing the right roofing company for your roofing project.
Roof Repair vs. Roof Replacement
The choice of whether you should repair or replace your roof will depend largely on the kind of damage your roof sustained. If the damage is minor and limited to a relatively small area then it might be better to repair your roof. A good roofer will be able to perform roof repairs like replacing damaged shingles and damaged flashing quickly and efficiently. However, small leaks can be deceptive. If a small leak is left unattended for a long period of time, then water might have damaged a lot more of your roof’s structure than you realized. Extensive repairs might be necessary to deal with this problem, if not complete replacement.
Your roof’s age is another big factor. If your roof is relatively new, then repairs are often the most sensible solution. A thorough roof repair can meaningfully extend the life of your roof. However, if your roof is nearing the end of its service life, then you should consider a roof replacement. The rationale is that if you’ll need to replace your current roof in a few years anyway, it’s not very cost effective to pour more money into repairs.
A new roof will look and perform better than an old roof that’s been touched up with a few repairs. Modern roofing materials are likely to be more attractive and more durable than roofing materials from over a decade ago. A roof repair project can also affect your home’s curb appeal. Newly replaced shingles can stand out–and not in a good way–because they are likely to be a slightly different shade than your current shingles. An unsightly patch of different-colored shingles on your roof will not look appealing.
If you plan to sell your home in the future, then a roof replacement might be a good idea because of the curb appeal factor.
Other indications that replacement is likely the way to go include significant storm damage, big holes in your roof and extensive damage to your underlayment. Wear and tear of your shingles, the climate in your area and the risk that your home will experience future weather damage are all factors that should also inform your decision.
Roof Leak Warning Signs
By understanding and these roof leak warning signs, you will greatly reduce the risk of water damage to your home or roofing system. As the top roof and door replacement service in Fostoria, OH, we recommend being on the lookout for:
- Cracked Vent Boots – Vent boots slide over the plastic vent pipes that protrude from your roof. Their purpose is to stop water from entering through the gap created by the vent pipe. Vent boots can be made of metal, rubber, plastic or a combination of these materials. If you see a cracked vent boot on your roof, then it’s very likely that a leak might form.
- Loose Flashing – Flashing protects the most vulnerable areas of your roof. Thin strips of metal, flashings are installed on the areas surrounding your chimney or skylights. You can also find them near roof edges and roof valleys. Loose and damaged flashings can allow water to enter your roofing system.
- Missing or Damaged Shingles – If your shingles crack or get blown off from your roof, then you need to call a roofing company to inspect your roof as soon as possible. Missing or damaged shingles can leave your underlayment exposed to damage. Damage to your underlayment will eventually cause roof leaks.
- Clogged Gutters – Clogged gutters will overflow. This can damage your roof, siding, landscaping and other areas of your home. We highly recommend keeping your gutters clear, clean and in good condition.
These are visible warning signs that you can spot using a pair of good binoculars. However, other signs of roof damage aren’t so clear. That’s why we recommend calling a roofing company for a roof inspection after a storm even if your roof doesn’t have any visible signs of damage. For example, shingle damage can be subtle and hard-to-spot unless a professional roofer climbs up on your roof and conducts a close inspection.
Why You Should Choose a Good Roofing Contractor
The importance of hiring a good contractor for your roof repair or roof replacement cannot be overstated. Hiring an amateur or doing the inspection yourself is risky because only a trained and experienced professional has the in-depth understanding of how roofs work to identify all possible signs of damage. These mistakes can lead to roof leaks or even premature roof replacement. It might even take years for the consequences of these mistakes to come to light. Hiring a good roofing contractor will allow you to avoid these problems, giving you peace of mind that your roof has been properly assessed and any problems thoroughly and accurately addressed.
A good roofing contractor will also provide better products and better workmanship. They have a reputation to uphold so you can rely on them to do their best during your project. Additionally, they’ll likely be able to offer strong warranties and provide you with after-sales support. Good roofing contractors know what they’re doing and they don’t spare any expenses or cut any corners.
As the top expert in roofing and home window installation in Fostoria, OH, we are committed to providing customers with a superior home improvement experience. An experienced and reputable contractor will be professional, helpful and courteous. They are easy to work with and they are willing to go the extra mile for their customers.
How to Find a Good Roofing Contractor
You can find a reputable contractor in several ways. You can search the internet and look for contractors with excellent testimonials and customer reviews. You can ask your friends, neighbors and family about the companies they’ve hired to repair or replace their roofs. Make sure to ask them about their experiences working with that contractor. You should also ask them about the current condition of their roof.
Good roofing companies tend to have many years of experience and first-rate qualifications. Look for roofing companies with manufacturer’s certifications, which prove that a contractor has met high standards. These certifications allow the contractor to offer you better products, better deals and better warranties.
These are just general guidelines, so we highly recommend talking with a professional roofing company to figure out if a roof replacement or roof repair is the best choice for your home. A trustworthy company will carefully inspect your roof and talk to you about your budget and your priorities. They will use their experience and good judgment to determine the most cost-effective way to keep your home safe and dry.