Repairing vs Replacing a Roof

Posted by Jim Ardale on August 1st, 2022

The roof is one of the most critical parts of a house and is also a big chunk of the housing structure. It helps to protect us from the elements of nature, and, in that process, can be subject to wear and tear.

When the roof receives damage, it will need to be repaired or replaced. If you leave it in poor condition, there will be leakages, growth of mold, drastic increase and decrease in the home’s temperature, etc.

To ascertain the step that needs to be taken, one must look at the amount of damage incurred on the roof. If the damage is minor or only in a small portion of the roof, repairing it would suffice. However, the roof needs to be replaced if there is significant damage.

Let us look at some factors that can decide whether the roof needs repairing or replacement.

Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement

Before we go into the details of what can make us decide between repair and replacement, we must first understand the difference between the two.

Roof Repair

The idea with roof repair is to patch up parts that might need some restoration. You can do that by closing small gaps that might have formed due to harsh weather or nailing down certain shingles that might be out of place.

The amount of damage will ultimately show you whether to repair or replace the roof. If you can fix it yourself, it is a great skill to possess. If not, you can always take the help of a professional roofer who can execute the repair work efficiently.

Roof Replacement

Roof replacement is required when there is significant damage to the roof because of the growth of mold, old age, coming apart of shingles, etc. When there is considerable damage on the roof, it is better to replace it than repair it as it will save you from more expenses.

Repairing the damaged area is not a problem, but it will keep recurring, resulting in unnecessary expenditure. So, it makes sense to replace a roof when there is significant damage.

Roof replacement is not a simple task and takes more effort and time than repairing. You must hire professional help for roof replacement as it cannot be left to amateur hands.

Deciding between Repairing and Replacing a Roof

Various factors help you decide whether to repair or replace your roof. There is no point in repairing when it needs a complete replacement and vice versa.

Let us look at some of the determining factors below.

• Level of Damage on the Roof

The level of damage incurred on the roof can help you decide whether to repair or replace the roof.

If the roof has been affected by structural damage, you will notice broken shingles, holes in the ceiling, etc. Those situations might have been caused by natural elements like rain, hail, or even a tree falling on the roof.

In such cases, it is better to replace the whole roof. However, if there is only a small area that has been affected by mold growth or you notice a leak, you should opt for a repair.

• Roof’s Duration

Roofs cannot last forever and must be changed if they have been used for many years. Some roofs can last a couple of decades and some longer. The roof’s duration or age plays a major role in deciding whether to replace or repair a roof.

When your roof’s lifespan is over, it will show signs of wear and tear, and even the slightest rain or win might displace parts of the roof. If that is the case, you must consider replacing the roof.

Repairing an aged roof will only incur more expenses in the future. Replacing might be expensive, but it will last for decades without causing further problems.

• Condition of the Roof

If the damage on the roof is only in a small part, there is no need to panic. It is usually solved with a bit of repair work. However, to determine the actual impact it might have on your roof, you need to let professionals look into it.

The roofers will thoroughly examine the roof’s condition and determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced altogether.

Conclusion

Replacing a roof would make more sense if you can afford to so. If you would like to see the most up to date roof replacement costs, head on over to my website for more information.