Roofing is an important part of your housing. It is important to protect your house against weather and other elements. Naturally, with time, your roofing would start showing signs of wear and tear. This happens to all roofing materials, irrespective of whether they are made from high-quality or low-quality. Because of long exposure to sun, rain, snow, and temperature changes, your roofing would start aging.
Some common signs of aging include leakage, damaged flashing, missing shingles, mold, and algae growth. All of those result in weakening the roofing structure. In such a scenario, do homeowners have to replace their whole roofing, or would fixing their current roofing be sufficient?
If your roofing has minor problems like leakages or missing shingles, it is more than enough just to repair it. However, you would have to replace your roofing if there is a major underlying issue. Thus, understanding the distinction between roofing repair and replacement will help you make informed decisions.
This guide will look at factors that help understand whether a roof can be repaired or if a replacement is necessary. We will also discuss the repair and replacement costs for roofing.
For any homeowners, it isn’t easy to make a call between a roof repair and a roof replacement. Both options have advantages and benefits, so knowing exactly what your roofing needs is crucial.
In roofing repair, problems like leakages and missing shingles are fixed. It is a more affordable option and provides a quick solution for minor roofing repairs. While roofing replacement is a more comprehensive approach. It includes replacing old roofing and installing new roofing in its place. This option is generally used when the roofing is near its life expectancy or suffers significant damage that can no longer be fixed with minor repairs.
Although replacing your roofing can be costly, it enhances your roofing’s durability and efficiency. Certain signs of roofing repair and replacement would help choose the right option.
If you have started to notice water stains on your roofing or your walls or if you spot damp spots, this is a sign of minor leaks. This usually occurs during the rainy season. Other reasons for this could be cracks or small holes. Quickly address this problem before it becomes too big.
With time, there may be one or a few roofing shingles that may be damaged or missing. This happens after heavy weather conditions like storms or hail. You would be able to spot this during the inspection.
If you are using asphalt roofing shingles, then you often find granules in gutters and downspouts. This usually indicates your shingles are aging or are damaged beyond repair. That is why replacing the damaged shingles would enhance your roofing protective layer.
Shingles that are cracked or curled at the edges could be a sign of aging. This could affect your shingle’s performance and the performance of your roofing. So, to extend the lifespan of the shingles, it is best to replace your damaged roofing shingles.
Flashing installed around chimneys, vents, roof valleys, and skylights usually gets loose or damaged with time. This would allow water to seep through these damaged and loose flashes. It is important to timely repair your damaged flashing before it escalates.
Repair your roofing when you see moss or algae growing. These green patches usually happen due to trapped moisture that would degrade the look of your roofing, which would seem unappealing. This would also lead to health issues if not dealt with promptly.
If you notice a significant amount of shingles that are damaged or missing and beyond repair, it’s time for you to replace your whole roofing. This would usually happen when roofing is at the end of its lifespan, replacing such roofing would be more cost-effective.
Roofing with widespread or persistent leaking noticed in multiple areas indicates extensive roofing damage. Therefore, it is better to replace your current roofing with the new roofing.
Roofing that is at the end of its lifespan and shows signs of wear and tear is best to replace it. After 30 years or so, roofing performance degrades with time. Instead of repairing such roofing frequently, it’s ideal to replace them.
If you see visible sagging and structural damage, that would suggest serious underlying problems. Structural damage means severe issues that could lead to the collapse of roofing. It is best to replace such roofing immediately.
If your roofing needs multiple repairs in a short period of time or has not been providing proper insulation as it used to, then it is an indication your roofing needs to be replaced. Low insulation performance also affects your energy efficiency.
The cost of replacing or repairing your roofing varies from factor to factor.
The cost of roofing repair and replacement comes down to the size of your roofing, the type of roofing material used, the complexity of the repair, and the roofing installation in case of replacement.
The material cost of asphalt shingles ranges around Rs 400, while metal roofing ranges around Rs 500, more or less, depending on location and material quality. Furthermore, minor repairs like cleaning gutters or removing any debris on the roofing would also lead to extra charges.
On average, your roofing repair for minor issues may cost you around Rs 20000 more or less. While for roofing replacement this amount would be significantly higher. Understanding these cost factors would give you a better understanding of the roofing cost of repairing and replacing.
Identifying when your roofing needs replacement rather than repairing will save you a dime. This prevents unnecessary costs and ensures the safety of your house.
Some factors like missing shingles, curling or damaged flashing, extensive leakage, and granule loss are key pointers you should note down. These points indicate extensive problems with your roofing that need to be replaced.
For instance, if more than 20% of your roofing is damaged it is best to replace your whole roofing. This would be a more cost-effective option rather than going for an endless cycle of repairs. Moreover, your roofing lifespan plays a key role in the replacement. If your roofing has reached the end of its lifespan, it is ideal to replace such roofing rather than repair it.
An increase in electricity bills in a short duration without any reason is also a sign of replacement. This helps when your roofing insulation is compromised, which increases heat.
In short, deciding on roofing repair and replacement all boils down to the extent of the problem your roofing is facing.
This would undoubtedly impact your roofing efficiency and budget. Identifying if your roofing needs replacement or repairs is dependent on myriad factors.
This not only depends on the climate and wear and tear of the roofing but also on other factors like the roof’s age and the frequency of necessary repairs. If your roofing shows minor issues like leakage, a few missing shingles, or damaged flashings, then going with repair is optimal. However, if your roofing has major issues like multiple leakages or structural damage, opting for replacement is a more practical option.
When it comes to roofing shingles in Kerala, CertainTeed stands out as the best manufacturer, providing durable and weather-resistant shingles that can handle the region’s unique challenges.
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