A home’s roof plays a key role in protecting the property from the elements. If the roof is defective, the inside of the house is vulnerable to water, pests, and other types of damage. Therefore, it is important to have missing shingles, rot, or other issues fixed in a timely manner. Depending on the scope of the problem, you may be able to repair the roof instead of replacing it entirely.
When to Repair Your Roof
Generally speaking, roof repair is an option when the problem is limited to a small portion of its surface. For instance, if you notice that the majority of the shingles are in good shape, it may be possible to simply replace the ones that are missing or curled up instead of replacing all of them.
If you notice that your roof is sagging or see a stain on your living room ceiling, it may be a symptom of a water leak. However, as long as moisture has only impacted a small portion of the roof, you do not need to replace the whole thing. Instead, simply have the moisture-damaged portion removed and replaced.
Repairing your roof may also be more appropriate if the issue is limited to your chimney, gutters, or flashing. Typically, you don’t have to replace the roof because the chimney is leaking or because there is a crack in the gutter. Instead, you can simply have the leak caulked or the cracked section of gutter replaced.
The age of your roof should also be taken into consideration when deciding whether you want to repair or replace it. Asphalt shingles have a useful life of about 20 years, while other materials can last for 30 years or more. If your roof has a significant portion of its useful life left, you may want to try repairing it if possible. This may be especially true if the roof is still under warranty.
The folks at HT Roofing & Construction in Lenexa, KS can inspect your home’s roof and make most repairs in a timely manner. We can also take care of any issues that may be present with gutters, siding, or other exterior components that need to be kept in good condition at all times.
When to Replace Your Roof
Your roof should be replaced if it has experienced moisture, pests, or other issues that consume more than half of its surface. At this point, it is likely going to be cheaper and easier to just gut the existing material and replace it with something that will provide full protection for many years to come.
You are also strongly encouraged to replace your roof if it has experienced extensive structural damage. For example, if a tree falls through your house, it is unlikely that you will be able to fix the damage with a simple patch job. If something does make contact with your property, you should have the gutters and surrounding components inspected to make sure that they are still properly attached to your house.
Replacing the roof may be an ideal solution if you are looking to use different materials in your home. For instance, say that a portion of your asphalt shingle roof was attacked by pests over the previous few months. Instead of fixing the damaged area, you could opt to put on the metal or slate roof that you have always wanted.
Finally, a full roof repair may also be in your best interest if it is approaching or already past the end of its useful life. At this point, it is unlikely that your insurance company would cover the cost of repairs on something that is considered a maintenance item. There is a risk that claims related to any secondary damage caused by an old roof may be denied on grounds of homeowner negligence.
If you need to have your roof repaired or replaced, give our team at HT Roofing & Construction a call today. We are also able to replace your Lenexa home’s existing windows or paint exterior surfaces to make your house look and feel great for years to come. Finally, we offer storm restoration services to ensure that your home is back in adequate condition as quickly as possible.
