Builder removing old clay tiles from a pitched roof UK

Roof Repair or Roof Replacement – Which Route to Take?

08/24/2020

Every roof, no matter if it is old or new, requires regular maintenance and inspection. Why is that?

Because your home’s roofing system is consistently at the mercy of the elements and serves to protect your home through all seasons.

As long as your roof can adequately keep the wind and rain outside and reflect the sun’s heat and UV rays, your house will be kept warm or cool enough. Therefore, keeping your roof in good, functional condition is crucial.

However, if you’ve noticed any issues with your roof lately, but you’re not sure how serious they are, here you’ll find some great tips and helpful information on the best steps to take.

Read on to find out whether your home will benefit the most from a few roof repairs, re-roofing, or a full roof replacement.

When Is Roof Repair the Best Solution?

Your roofing system is comprised of several different layers, where the roof shingles are the topmost, surface layer. All these layers together have a vital task of protecting your entire house and the surrounding property from the elements.

However, shingles themselves act as the first line of defense in this continuous process of protecting your home, so they need to be inspected regularly and adequately.

During one of those regular roof inspections, you might notice a few shingles missing here and there. In most cases, they can simply be replaced, especially if your roof is still young or just recently installed.

A few shingles that have been damaged by the wind, a storm, or some falling branches can also be repaired or replaced if matching shingles can be found on time.

However, if you are not sure whether a missing or damaged shingle is the only problem that you are facing, it is best to get a professional roofer to conduct a thorough assessment. If a shingle has been broken or missing for a longer period of time, some underlying damages may have already developed.

These underlying damages are not easily seen or noticed by an untrained eye, so consulting with your roofer and considering a roof replacement is highly recommended.

All in all, it is always best to schedule regular roof inspections so that you can replace those faulty shingles right away and avoid issues that are beyond repair.

When Is Roof Replacement the Best Route to Take?

Repairing your roof will, in certain situations, help to manage the deterioration, but there will come a time when your home’s roofing system will need to be replaced.

While replacing your roof might be a bigger project than a roof repair, at the end of it, you will feel reassured that you once again have reliable protection. You will have peace of mind knowing that there will be no more roofing issues in the near future.

Roof replacements are often required when moisture or water is getting into your home. When this happens, it is crucial to respond right away because even the smallest leak can be destructive in the long run. The occurrence of several leaks at a time is an even bigger warning sign that you need a new roof.

Roof leaks and excessive moisture can lead to mold and mildew, structural deterioration of the underlying structures, interior damages to your walls and ceiling, etc.

Roof leaks and excessive moisture can lead to mold and mildew, structural deterioration of the underlying structures, interior damages to your walls and ceiling, etc.

Other causes of significant damage to roofs are strong wind storms, hailstorms, as well as harsh winters. Even some roofing materials that are specially designed for long-term protection can be compromised by unexpected extreme weather.

And when you have an older roof, all these damages might develop even more quickly, easily, and in a greater number. Therefore, a critical factor when considering a roof replacement is the age of your roof.

Roofs that are at the end of their expected lifespan, such as shingle roofs that are older than 20-30 years, will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. And if they are already causing you problems and are failing too often, a roof replacement should be scheduled as soon as possible.

Sometimes Re-roofing Will Do the Job

When issues and damages on your roof shingles are too severe to be repaired, but you are also not keen on conducting a complete roof replacement, sometimes there is a third option that you could choose.

Instead of conducting a full roof replacement that entails a complete roof tear-off, you could opt for the so-called overlay or reroofing. This means that your roofing contractors will be roofing over your existing roof, i.e., adding a new layer of shingles on the existing ones.

Re-roofing is done when there are no underlying structural issues with your roof but only surface shingle damages. In addition to that, reroofing can only be done once. What this means is that you can only have two layers of shingles on your roof.

A re-roofing is a good option for those homeowners who are short on time and need the project to be done more quickly, as well as for those who need a more affordable roofing solution.

Re-roofing or an overlay is also a great way to go if you simply want to breathe new life into your property, redesign your roof, and add more curb appeal to it.

In any case, the best thing to do is to consult with your roofer and ask them whether an overlay is even possible or recommended for your specific situation.

Final Thought

A roof is a complex system and sometimes, it is not easy for homeowners to know which route to take when it comes to ideal roof maintenance.

While some roofing issues may be small and simple to mitigate and repair, others may lead to more serious damages and consequences, demanding a full roof replacement.

The best thing any homeowner can do when faced with any type of roof issues is to contact a reliable local roof replacement contractor that will help and advise them.

At Fortified Roofing, we are always at your disposal for an honest and detailed estimate, as well as for top-quality roofing services.