Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement - The Most Important Factors

Roofing can get very expensive, but it's a critical part of any building structure. For many residential property owners, their home is one of the biggest investments they have. 

Deciding whether to repair or replace your roof comes down to how old your roof is, what its current condition is, and what your budget looks like. In this article we will discuss these in detail so you can make the best decision for your specific roof.

Common Reasons You Have to Consider Roof Repair or Replacement

Here we’ll give you a list of some common roof problems that probably led you to ask yourself the question: Can I repair my roof, or do I need to replace it? And despite what many roofers will tell you: you don’t always need a new roof, you certainly can take care of some of these problems with a simple repair.

• Leaks around the Pipe Boot

• Leaks Around the Chimney

• Missing shingles

• Air Gun Nailing Mistakes

• Nail pops 

• Punctures and Holes 

• Cracking and Blistering 

• Poor Installation 

• Tree Damage

• Weather Damage

• Granule Loss 

• Splitting 

• Shrinkage

• Poor Maintenance 

• Ventilation Problems

What is a Roof Repair?

Roof Repair essentially entails fixing components of a roof such as pipe boots, flashing, ventilation, and more that may be leaking or causing other minor issues. Your repair may also include patching up holes and small gaps or replacing damaged or missing shingles and other materials. Instead of removing the roof from your entire home, only a small portion of the roof is going to be worked on during a repair in order to fix a more isolated issue. Roof repair is generally a smaller, more minor fix that can be done to prolong the life of your roof.

Pros and Cons of Roof Repair

Pros

1. * A repair can extend the life of your roof

   * Roof repair is less expensive than replacing the entire roof, and there are certainly components of your roofing system that don’t last as long as the roof does

   * Repairs are generally quicker

2. Cons 

3. * Repairs are usually just a quick fix and can simply prolong an inevitable repair.

   * Repairing a roof is superficial, and it doesn’t allow for underlying problems with a roofing system to be diagnosed and fixed.

   * Especially in the case of shingles, matching colors is incredibly difficult. The sun will lighten the color of your shingles over time, so matching new shingles to the color of existing ones is nearly impossible.

When is a Roof Repair Right For Me?

While it’s impossible to give you a definitive answer without doing a roof inspection, roof repair is usually going to be a good option when you have an isolated issue that doesn’t affect your entire roof. There are many types of leaks and minor shingle damage that can be fixed with a repair, and you can prolong the life of your roof. It is important to get any roof problems looked at right away, as small repairs early on can prevent an entire roof replacement from being the only option you have!

1. What is a Roof Replacement?

2. Roof replacement is a complete removal of an existing roofing system, and installation of a new one. This process involves stripping off everything to expose the deck before a new roof can be installed, and may include repairs to sheathing, rafters, and trusses. Once everything has been inspected and repaired, your home is ready to have a new roof installed! It will take a couple of days to install the new roofing system, but with a good roofing contractor, this will be a smooth process. And the best news - if your roof is maintained correctly, the average lifespan of a roof is about 20-25 years!

3.  

4. Pros and Cons of Roof Replacement

5. Pros

6. * You get an entirely new roof

   * You will boost your home’s curb appeal

   * A new roof will come with a warranty, so any minor issues down the road will be covered

   * Any and all underlying roofing issues you have will be discovered and taken care of, preventing major roof issues down the line

   * When your roof is replaced, your home is brought completely up to code and all the necessary code upgrades are made

7.  

8. Cons

9. * More expensive than a repair

   * Takes longer to complete

   * Roof replacement is a noise process, and you will probably want you and your pets to be outside of the home for the duration

When is Roof Replacement Right For Me?

Let's face it: roof replacement is going to be necessary at some point during the life of your home. But our goal is to make sure you know when and why it’s the best option. Some roofing companies will tell you you need a roof replacement even when that’s not the case. At Colony Roofers we strive to foster an environment of trust and honesty, especially with our clients. There are some structural problems, and problems that affect the entire roof that are going to make a replacement the only viable option. Some structural problems can get so severe that you may even risk your roof collapsing! You don’t want that, and neither do we.

Making the Decision - Repair vs Replace

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to repair your roof vs replace it. The main ones you’ll find here are roof age, roof condition, how long you’ll be in your home, and whether or not you have a viable insurance claim.

Roof Age

Understanding the age of your home’s roof is an important factor in deciding whether or not to replace it. Roofs are designed to last a long time, but there are several factors that play into the way your roof will age. An asphalt shingle roof that has been properly installed and maintained can last you on average 20-25 years! If you are unsure about the age of your roof, a local roofing contractor should be able to come out and give you some insight.

Roof Condition

Another huge factor in deciding between a roof repair or a roof replacement is your roof’s condition and the extent of the damage/issues. In some cases, the damage to your roof may be too severe for a repair to work. However, if it’s minor to moderate damage confined to a small part, or involves 30% or less of your roof area, a roof repair might be a good option. It’s good to keep in mind though, that the extent of some damages may not be obvious, especially if the problem is underneath. A thorough roof inspection is always a good idea.

How Long You Plan To Stay In Your Home

Depending on whether or not you are in your forever home, a roof replacement may not be an expense you are ready to take on. If you are planning to sell your home soon, a roof repair might be the better option for you. Do take into consideration however, that the roof of your home makes up 40% of the curb appeal! If your roof is clearly aged and looks weather worn, a repair is going to be especially obvious, due to the challenging nature of matching new shingles with the old ones. This may make it harder to sell your home, and may affect your asking price. Of course, replacing the roof is not always the way you want to go if you are planning to move or sell soon. Many times, a repair is more than sufficient.

Do You Have a Viable Insurance Claim?

This is another huge factor to consider when asking yourself - should I repair my roof or replace it? It’s not always cut and dry, and our team at Colony Roofers can help you figure out whether or not your homeowners insurance will pay for a new roof for your home. Insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacement, depending on the cause of the damage. It’s always worth taking into consideration whether or not you have a valid claim. 

What Should You Do Now?

If you think you may be ready for a repair or replacement, there are a couple things you can do to begin that process and to make sure you’re informed. The best thing you can do is research! If you decide that you want to go the repair route, check out our roof repair tips. Know what a roofer will be explaining to you so you know what questions to ask, and make sure you pick a trusted roofer in your community. Your next step is going to be to get an inspection. It’ll be hard to know exactly what you need and how to proceed without getting a thorough inspection. With Colony Roofers, you can book a free 30 minute inspection, and as a locally owned and operated business headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Colony Roofers‘s team are experts in providing affordable roofs and great customer service as a trusted name in roofing in the Southeast.