While homeownership can be great, it typically comes with a significant amount of upkeep. From plumbing issues to outdoor landscaping, there seems to be a neverending list of things that need to be maintained. However, one of the number one questions that homeowners tend to struggle with is if something should be repaired or replaced.
This is especially the case when it comes to something major such as your roof. How do you know when it’s okay to save money on your roof or when you should consider it to be a large investment and purchase a new one?
When it comes to your roof, you want to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. Learn about the cost, lifespan, and other factors that will help you make the best decision for your home.
Here are a few things that you should consider when deciding whether you should repair your roof or replace it altogether.
Moisture
When it comes to protecting your home and those who live in it, there’s no greater enemy than moisture. Why is this? Well, moisture can lead to mold. Mold is a fungus that thrives on moisture. It’s composed of tiny spores that travel through the air. While it may not be dangerous in small amounts, it can lead to significant health problems if it’s growing in large amounts inside of your home.
Another factor that makes moisture your home’s greatest enemy is that it can affect its structural integrity. Moisture has the ability to damage wood and cause corrosion. This is especially the case if it’s a large area.
So if you have a leaky roof or if the water seems to be pooling in certain areas of your roof, it’s a good idea to replace it. Take a look at the walls on the inside of your home. Do you notice brown stains or moisture marks? Is your paint starting to peel? These are signs of leaky roofing. If the leak is tiny, then you may be able to repair it for a short period of time. However, if the damage is extensive, then it could be beyond repair.
Damaged or Missing Shingles
Your roof has to withstand a lot–specifically when it comes to changes in the weather. Wind, blizzards, rainstorms, hail, and heatwaves can take their toll on it. In fact, it can often lead to broken, loosened, and missing shingles. While this may seem like a relatively small issue, as more shingles are damaged or lost, it can lead to serious damage.
You see, your roofing is the only thing that stands between you and the outside conditions. The layers beneath the tile are weatherproof. However, when your shingles are damaged or missing, the weatherproof layers beneath your tile will become exposed to the direct sunlight and hot air. And this will cause them to lose all of their protective properties.
Not only can the hot air and direct sunlight affect the weatherproofing, but they can also remove the moisture that your roofing needs in order to function properly. The warm temperature will cause the layers beneath to expand without being pliable. And this inevitably leads to cracking and weakening, a condition that’s known as dry rot.
Do you notice that some of your shingles are curling, torn, splitting, or are missing? If the damage is concentrated in a small, localized area, then you may be able to repair it. However, if it takes up more than 30 percent of your roof, it’s time to replace it.
Recent Devastation
As previously mentioned, when it comes to changes in weather, your roof has to withstand a lot. In most cases, these changes occur over a long period of time, so you won’t have to worry about any serious damage for quite some time. However, there are instances in which a change in weather can affect the integrity of your roof as a whole. This commonly occurs when a natural disaster takes place.
Natural disasters include high category hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and floods. In one episode, any of these events could result in loose or missing shingles, missing flashing, loose or peeling sealant, and water damage. In these particular instances, it’s best to replace the roofing. And that’s because it’s more than just a matter of protecting you from outside conditions, your roofing could be compromised to the point that it caves in on you and the other residents. As the old adage goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Age
Not all damage is the result of sudden changes. There’s also a chance that your roof may be old and is due for a replacement. Research shows that the average roof lasts around 15 years. Sure, with the proper maintenance, you can extend its life up to as much as 30+ years. However, the roof will eventually reach the end of its life cycle.
There are several ways that you can tell if your roofing has reached the end of its lifespan. According to Keith Gauvin Roofing, these may be any of the following reasons:
- The roof may be leaking
- Your shingles may be curling
- Your roof flashing may be missing
- Your gutters may be completely filled with granules
- You may even be able to see daylight through the roofing
While each of these signs may not be a huge problem on their own, if multiple signs are occurring at once, then it’s time for a replacement.
So consider the age of your roof. Has it passed its life expectancy? The materials that it’s composed of can have an impact on how long it’s expected to last. If your shingles are made of asphalt, it can last up to 40 years. If they’re made of wood, they can last up to 15 years. If they’re made of slate, they can last as much as 100 years. If they’re composed of concrete or clay, they can last as much as 200 years. Metal and aluminum also have the ability to last for centuries.
The Takeaway
As you can see, the decision of whether to replace or repair your roofing isn’t always straight-forward. It’s not as much about the type of damage there is as much as it about how much damage there is. It depends on your specific circumstances.
For instance, if there’s a lot of moisture, then you should replace it. However, if the moisture is in a small, localized area, it can be repaired. If you have a lot of damaged or missing shingles, then you should replace it. However, if there are only a few damaged or missing shingles, then it can be repaired.
There are also cases in which replacing your roofing is not an option as it could save your life. If you’ve recently experienced a natural disaster, then you should replace it. If your roofing is old and has reached the end of its life expectancy, then you should always replace it.
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