Does this found familiar? You’re going about your day, minding your business, and suddenly you see it. A big yellow stain spreading on your ceiling.
Your first instinct is probably to panic. Where is the water stain coming from? What else is it damaging? And what should you do next?
Take a deep breath. We’re here to help. We know that discovering signs of roof damage can be jarring, but if you know what to expect, it doesn’t have to be stressful.
The first step is to know the difference between a roof repair and a roof replacement. Sometimes used interchangeably, these two terms have very different services, timelines, and price tags attached to them. We’ll teach you:
- When to repair or replace roof systems
- What the price difference will be
- Different signs of roof damage
Keep reading to learn more!
Repair or Replace: What’s the Difference?
So, what is the real difference between a roof replacement and a repair? Several key points separate them.
Repairs
- Roof repairs allow you to keep your existing roof
- They usually only replace a small section
- Are significantly more affordable
- Can help extend the life of your roof
- Can potentially be performed by the homeowners themselves
Replacements
- Install a fully new roof
- A much larger scale product
- Typically requires a professional roofing company
- Is more expensive
5 Signs of Roof Damage: Repair or Replace?
The type of roof damage that you have can help you to determine whether a repair or a replacement is needed for your roof. Here are five common factors that your roofing contractor may consider when determining whether or not to install a new roof.
1) Roof Leaks
Roof leaks themselves can vary in severity and be caused by a wide variety of factors. Your roofing contractor will examine your roof closely for signs of damage before offering a solution.
In general, if the leak is in a centralized location, repair work may be all that is needed. However, if the roof leak has damaged key areas of your roof, including your roof deck, a full replacement may be needed.
Repair/Replace: It depends.
2) Missing Shingles
Severe weather conditions or even just strong winds can cause shingles to blow off of your roof. While this may not look like much of a problem, even a single missing shingle can allow water to seep through the layers of your roof and cause rot and other issues.
The good news is that if this is caught early, your roofing contractor should be able to add replacement shingles to your roof.
Repair/Replace: Repair
3) Cracks and Dents
No matter what roofing materials you choose for your home, you can’t fully protect your roofing system from impact damage. This can be caused by hail, falling branches, or other debris. Sometimes asphalt shingles simply age and crack as well.
The choice to repair or replace will come down to how widespread the damage is. However, in general, you should be able to replace just a few shingles if only a few are damaged.
Repair/Replace: Repair
4) Roof Age
Each roofing material has a distinct lifespan. Sometimes your roof becomes damaged near the end of your roof’s lifespan, making it more prudent to simply replace the roof. However, if you suffer roof damage fairly early on in your roof’s life, it may be covered by your warranty or your insurance.
For reference, asphalt shingles – by far the most popular roofing material in the USA – last between 15-20 years. If you are debating between replacing and repairing and your roof is over 15 years old, you may be better served by replacing it.
Repair/Replace: Replace
5) Roof Deck Damage
One of the most serious forms of damage to your roof is a damaged roof deck. The roof deck is the base layer of your roof, made out of wood. It is usually fairly well protected through an ice and water shield, underlayment, and your roofing materials of choice, but when water seeps through, it can suffer from wood rot.
At that point, it is past the point of saving, as wood rot cannot be reversed. This will require a full roof replacement. If the damage is concentrated in one area, you may be able to find a company that is willing to do a partial replacement, which will save you some money immediately. However, it might end up costing you more in the long run, depending on the age of your roof and when you next need to do a full replacement.
Repair/Replace: Replace
How Much Will It Cost?
If you’re anything like us, your primary concern is probably the costs associated with a roof replacement or roof repair. We get it. Taking care of a roof can be expensive. Knowing what to expect can alleviate that stress.
The cost of a roof repair is difficult to estimate as there are so many different types of roof damage, and the severity can vary widely. Repair costs can range from $150-$1,500 on average.
Roof replacement costs are slightly easier to predict, although the final number will depend on the size of your home and the material that you choose. National averages have roof replacements sitting at about $12,000, but if you choose a premium material, you can expect that number to increase exponentially, with some homes coming in at close to $80,000.
Get a Quality Roof Inspection
The best way to know whether or not your roof needs a repair or a replacement is to call on a trusted roofing contractor. At Bondoc Roofing, we provide homeowners with a thorough inspection that identifies problem areas. We’ll help guide you in the right direction and find a roofing solution that works for your home’s unique needs. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
