You always want what’s best for your home, we know we do. Making the best decisions that you and your exterior general contractor can agree on can definitely help you lessen the costs of some home projects in the long run. It can be daunting to know whether a house needs simple repairs or whole roof replacements. Especially in 2022, where prices for many items, from gas to chicken to roofing materials continue to increase with no end in sight. However, your roof is an expense that cannot be unwarranted.
If you notice that there are any issues, the proactive approach is to call an exterior roofing contractor right away. Solving a roofing issues earlier will help protect you and your family, as well as your pockets down the road.
Sadly, during their lifespan, roofs take a toll and are bound to wear out over time. Depending on the condition of your roof and what your inspector suggests, simply patching the roof, meaning repairing minor issues that are currently present, could be enough. Otherwise, complete exterior replacements might be in store for you. This involves stripping away all the current materials sitting currently on your roof. These include your shingle layer, underlayments and checking to make sure that the plywoods are intact and do not have any damage.
Keep reading to find some of the factors to consider before deciding on a repair patch or doing a complete installation.
1. Location of Damage
When you first reach out to your roofing company, they will most likely set up and appointment with you and send out an inspector or team of inspectors to come take a look at the exterior area of your roof. While you may have seen something looks a bit off, its always best to get a second opinion, especially from a professional. Whether you have seen a spot or spots that you may want to have the inspectors take a look at, make sure they do a thorough inspection. A good company will make sure that their inspectors take a look at every part of the roof and no mishap is overseen.
If they find that the damage is relatively small or barely noticeable, then a simple roof repair should be able to fix the problem. However, if they have found that the damage is substantial, then they might suggest the best thing to do is a complete exterior replacement. General inspectors will typically advise on an exteropr roof replacement because they know that the area is too big or spread across the whole area. A simple patch job will not be enough to solve the problem.
2. How Deep the Damage is
Deciding on a repair job or moving forward with a whole roof replacements can be daunting. Knowing the extent of the damage should be the #1 driving factor in your decision. If the inspectors find that the damage is small and confined to one certain area, then a repair is the most cost-effective solution. The roofers will allocate to that area and replace the shingles within a certain square footage. This is done to make sure that the problem is contained in one spot and fixed. While it could be a few simple shingles or a leak, its best to take care of that location with upmost care.
If they find damage throughout, this could range from missing shingles to multiple water leak entries, call your local roofer. It is most likely a complete replacement is the best step.
3. Age of Roof
Typically, your roof has a lifespan of 20-30 years, when the maintenance has been constant and handled with care. If your roof still has three tab shingles, then these were probably first installed when the house was built. These are older style shingles that look flat throughout the area, creating a one dimensional look. These older type of shingles were popular decades ago and are not general contractor’s favorite choice anymore. This is due to the fact that these shingles are simply not as durable as newer models. Not only that, but they also loose granules faster and generally give your house a flat look.
Almost every new asphalt shingle that is installed in the U.S. is a three dimensional shingle. These give your house a more dimensional look and are three times more durable than their older counterpart. These shingles also come in a wide variety of color and most of the well known shingle companies, such as GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed carry a vast type of three dimensional shingles.
Shingle Age
Knowing what type of shingle your home currently has gives you an idea of the age of the roof and if you simply don’t know, then ask your general contractor! A qualified inspector will be able to give you a rough estimate of the age of your home. These are experts in their field who have seen thousands of houses and can determine an approximate age of yours.
If your roof is near the end of its durable life, then its unavoidable that you coordinate with your general contractor and install a new roof. Simply patching or attempting to fix the issue will not solve a home that has too much damage. In fact, many exterior contractors will not provide their labor warranty or be comfortable patching a roof with too much damage. This is due to the fact that it could be dangerous for you and whoever is currently living in the home.
4. Time
Depending on the reason you reach out to your roofing contractor, you need to make a decision to make sure your home is safe. If there is a leak present, then a patch is the fastest and best solution in order to avoid further damage. However, if you have time and can work with your contractor’s schedule, then waiting a couple of days or weeks is not a bad idea. No matter the reason, its good to keep in mind when you would like the contractor’s crew to start on your project. Another thing to remember is that a repair can take up to 1 day on average, while replacements take 1-2 days at most. This depends on several factors of course. Always ask before signing a contract what the time frame is for projects. You do not want to wait too long to fix an issue.
5. A starter home vs. a long term one
On average, customers who own starter homes are not looking into breaking the bank and investing too much on tweaks and repairs. Of course, this makes sense, and we normally like to ask or the customer will typically comment on their living situation. When a customer states they are about to sell their house or they are renting out their house, we know they want a budget friendly solution. We understand where they are coming from and will always try to accommodate their needs. However, if the damage is too severe, then we have no choice but to advice on a roof replacement.
No matter the living situation, safety and satisfaction are our #1 goals. We listen to our customers inputs and provide the best guidance, pertaining to their unique inspection results. We never try to up-sell or entice on a service that is not needed. Honesty and integrity are part of our core values since the inception of our company. You can read more about our company here.
6. Budget
Since installing your roof is a big investment, you might think its best to simply patch it instead. This is a great option if the damage is minimal and easy to manage. However, don’t ignore your home if they think that a roof installation is something you should not be putting off. You can always ask your exterior contractor for their financing options or see if they have any current discounts. A reputable contractor will be able to work with you and your budget. They can also provide payment plans. It’s always a good idea to ask what options they offer.
Below we take a look at pros and cons of roof repairs and replacements.
Roof Repairs
PROS
- Less costly than an installation. Typically depends on how much damage your roof has. If damage found is not huge or is superficial, then a simple repair is the best decision
- A top contractor can get you on their schedule faster, since these repairs usually take 1 day on average
- Helps prevent moisture damage
- Gets rid of problems and stops them from becoming bigger
- Can be done during regular maintenance
CONS
- If the roof damage is found to be severe, a repair or patching will not be enough
- When not done properly, a patch can extend the damage and lead to bigger issues on the exterior of your home down the road
Roof Replacements
PROS
- A replacement gets rid of multiple existing holes or gaps currently on the area. This helps prevent further damage to and underneath the area. Therefore, you do not have to worry about your home for a long time
- While it can be a bigger investment, a new asphalt roof has a lifespan of 20-30 years and is more cost effective than constantly fixing your roof. This is the overall top choice for extensive roof damage.
- Your home will look uniform and shingles match throughout. Sometimes, when a repair is done, the shingles will not match completely
- You will receive new exterior warranties both for the materials and labor
- Brings a new look to your home and can increase the worth of your property
CONS
- More expensive than a roof repair
- Can cause noise disruptions during installation
- If you are dealing with your insurance, it can take a little longer to get everything in order
- Takes longer for the investment to offset, if you are selling your house or not planning on living in your home, then a replacement might not be the most economical option
- Be careful who you choose to take on this project. If you do not work with one of the top roofing contractors, it might be a bad idea since they could do a mediocre job
Not Sure Which Option is Best for you? Contact Us Today
When searching for a reliable exterior roofing company, contact us! Oscar Roofing has multiple offices in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Fishers, Noblesville and Avon. Let us help you take care of all your commercial and residential home needs. Trust in one of the top contractors in your area.
Need additional services? We also help homeowners with their gutter, siding and painting needs. Ask us about our bundling specials for top savings. Want to learn more about your exterior home? We provide tips and more in our blog.
Oscar Roofing has been in the industry since 2003, we are licensed, bonded and insured in the state of Indiana. We are part of the Better Business Bureau and an Owens Corning preferred contractor and are considered one of the top paramount roofers around Southern and Central Indiana.
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