If you see a water stain on your ceiling or water dripping from it, you know your roof is leaking. But what now? Should you check to see if the damage can be fixed or should you plan for a full roof replacement? There are a lot of things to think about when deciding whether to fix your roof or replace it. To help you make the right choice, our licensed and experienced New Jersey roofing company will tell you what you need to know.
Things to think about when deciding between a roof repair and a roof replacement
Before you decide and start calling roofing companies, ask yourself the following questions.
How old is the roof of my house?
Most asphalt shingles last about 20 years, but a metal roof, clay or concrete tiles, and wood shingles usually last longer. If your current roofing materials are nearing the end of their useful life, you may not get much out of a roof repair if you’re going to replace the whole roof in a year or two. But if the current roof is still fairly new, you probably don’t need to plan for a new one.
If you don’t know how old the roof is, a professional roof inspection will give you a better idea. You can also look for these signs that you have an old roof:
- Several places where shingles are missing
- Shingles that are broken or cracked
- Asphalt shingles missing granules
- There is mold, algae, or a lot of black on the roof.
How bad is the damage to the roof?
Most of the time, roof repairs are best for small areas of damage or minor damage. For example, if a small section of your roof is missing shingles, a tree branch poked a hole in it, or a piece of flashing around a vent pipe came loose and caused the roof to leak, a roof repair will probably fix the problem.
On the other hand, if the roof is damaged in more than one place, if the damage goes all the way down to the roof deck and flashing, or if the old shingles, seals, and other parts have deteriorated a lot, the repairs may not be worth the cost. Instead, it would be better to have a new roof put on.
Was your roof put on correctly?
Even if your roof isn’t very old, it may not meet building codes if it wasn’t installed correctly or if low-quality materials were used. Some signs that your roof wasn’t put on right are:
- Several places on the roof have shingles that have slipped or come off.
- Messy roof shingles
- Your roof starts leaking just a few years after it was put on, even though there hasn’t been any bad weather.
- Leaks around your chimney, vent pipes or skylights show that the flashing wasn’t put on correctly.
If the last roof replacement wasn’t done right, you might be better off starting over with a new roof than trying to fix the damage over and over, getting roof repairs, or waiting for the roof to fail completely.
Roof Repairs: Pros and Cons
A good inspection from a roofing contractor will help you decide if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. Let’s look at the pros and cons of having your roof repaired.
Benefits of Roof Repair
Costs: A repair for minor damage will be much cheaper than replacing your whole roof, so it’s a better choice if you want to save money.
Time: Most repairs, like replacing flashing or putting back shingles that have come loose, can be done in just a few hours, while a roof replacement takes at least a few days.
Effectiveness: A professional roofer can fix a damaged spot in a way that fixes the problem perfectly and will last as long as the roof does.
Stop-Gap: If you have a leaky roof but can’t start a roofing project right away, you can get by with a roof repair until you’re ready for a new roof. A good roofing company will be able to tell you if this will only fix the problem temporarily and for how long.
Cons of Getting Roof Repairs
Curb appeal: A professional roofer will blend the new shingles in with the old ones, but you may still be able to tell that the materials are different. If your roof is old and the shingles are faded or have dark spots, the new shingles will stand out, which can hurt the look of your home from the outside.
Long-Term Costs: The cost of a single roof repair is usually much less than the cost of a new roof, but the cost of many repairs adds up over time. It might be better to replace the roof and know that it will last for decades than to keep paying for small fixes.
Limited Visibility: If a roofer is only looking to fix one spot, they might not find possible leak sources. This is especially true if the damage is on the roof deck or under the shingles.
When you call roofing companies to fix your roof, it’s a good idea to have a roof inspection done at the same time to check the whole area, including the roofing materials, the building’s structure, and the work that was done before.
Pros and Cons of Roof Replacement
A good inspection from a roofing contractor will help you decide if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. Let’s look at the pros and cons of having your roof repaired.
Benefits of Roof Repair
Costs: A repair for minor damage will be much cheaper than replacing your whole roof, so it’s a better choice if you want to save money.
Time: Most repairs, like replacing flashing or putting back shingles that have come loose, can be done in just a few hours, while a roof replacement takes at least a few days.
Effectiveness: A professional roofer can fix a damaged spot in a way that fixes the problem perfectly and will last as long as the roof does.
Stop-Gap: If you have a leaky roof but can’t start a roofing project right away, you can get by with a roof repair until you’re ready for a new roof. A good roofing company will be able to tell you if this will only fix the problem temporarily and for how long.
Cons of Getting Roof Repairs
Curb appeal: A professional roofer will blend the new shingles in with the old ones, but you may still be able to tell that the materials are different. If your roof is old and the shingles are faded or have dark spots, the new shingles will stand out, which can hurt the look of your home from the outside.
Long-Term Costs: The cost of a single roof repair is usually much less than the cost of a new roof, but the cost of many repairs adds up over time. It might be better to replace the roof and know that it will last for decades than to keep paying for small fixes.
Limited Visibility: If a roofer is only looking to fix one spot, they might not find possible leak sources. This is especially true if the damage is on the roof deck or under the shingles.
When you call roofing companies to fix your roof, it’s a good idea to have a roof inspection done at the same time to check the whole area, including the roofing materials, the building’s structure, and the work that was done before.
Pros and Cons of Roof Replacement
Sometimes the only way to fix a roof is to replace it completely. Let’s look at the pros and cons of getting a new roof.
Benefits of a Roof Replacement
Gets rid of Problems: Getting a new roof gets rid of any problems you have now or might have in the future.
Long-Lasting: The lifespan of different roofing materials varies, but the most common kind, asphalt shingles, can be counted on for about 20 years.
Your home will be worth more if you get a new roof. This is especially true if you plan to sell your home.
Adds curb appeal: Old, stained, or broken shingles can make your house look old and worn out. Getting new shingles can make your house look better.
Choosing New Roofing Materials: If you decide to get a new roof, you can change the material that covers your house. For example, you might want a metal roof, cedar wood shingles, or even clay tiles instead of asphalt shingles. Getting a new roof opens up more options.
Improved energy efficiency: Old or damaged roofs can cause a lot of heat and cold to escape. Getting a new roof with energy-efficient underlayment and roofing materials will help you save money on your energy bills.
Problems with the Cost of a Full Roof Replacement
Cost: Roofing costs are a big investment, which can be hard for homeowners.
Time: A roof repair can usually be done in a few hours, but replacing a roof takes longer. Most new roofs can be finished by our roofing company in two or three days, but some take a little longer.
Disruption: Getting a new roof can be loud and disruptive, especially when the old shingles are torn off and the new ones are put on with nail guns. This is often unavoidable.
Our New Jersey roofing company can give you a free quote
If your roof is leaking or showing signs of damage, you need a roofing contractor you can trust to do the job right, whether you want to replace the whole roof or just fix a few spots. At Wayne NJ Roofing, we offer competitive prices and 100% financing to help you save money on a new roof. We also use the best roofing materials for all repairs and roof systems. Call us or fill out the form below to set up a time for your free estimate.
