Taking care of your roof, one of your home’s and family’s biggest protectors can seem like a complicated ordeal. Case in point: knowing when to repair or replace your roof is better.
Whatever your roofing needs, Baltic Roofing is glad to help out. Our technicians have the experience and know-how to guide you through all aspects of roof maintenance at any time of the year.
Table of Contents
When Should I Replace My Roof?
Knowing when to replace your roof can involve various factors, ranging from mold growing in your attic to the roof sagging.
Replacing an entire roof only occurs sometimes as simple repairs since roofs can withstand lots of damage and the materials last several decades. That said, significant damages can pile on top of each other, in which case it will cost less to replace the whole roof than to make a bunch of little repairs.
The Roof Sags
This is one of the most obvious signs of needing to replace your roof. If the roof lines are saggy, trapped moisture has caused boards under the roof to rot. Call a roofing professional to examine your roof to determine damaged sites closely and whether a replacement is necessary.
Buckling Shingles
Buckling or cracking shingles indicate they are not correctly attached to your roof. In some cases, they might have already taken some damage and might fly off in a strong wind.
A few loose shingles are not a big deal, but several might lead to a roof replacement.
Cracked or Missing Support Structure
Your roof cannot properly protect your home if its support structure is falling apart. Your roof might collapse without immediate attention in some cases.
Your Roof’s Lifespan is Almost Over
If you bought your home secondhand, it’s essential to know when a roofing contractor installed the roof and what materials they used.
Most roofs last between 20 to 50 years. Clay tiles last around 40 years, metal roofs last 30 to 50 years, and asphalt shingles last between 10 to 20 years, provided the roof is properly ventilated and installed.
It’s also not a good idea to wait until your roof’s very last year to install a new roof. If your roof is supposed to last 30 years, get a new roof at the 25-year mark.
Storm Damage to Soft Metals
A roof is supposed to withstand a few powerful storms now and then, but some storms can do enough damage to warrant a whole replacement. This is especially true if a storm damages soft metals on your roof, like downspouts, gutters, or flashing. These are part of your roof’s structure, and leaving them unchecked can do lots more damage later on.
Leaks in the Attic
A few leaks here and there are okay if you promptly repair them. If left unchecked, water damage can lead to mold and structural damage to your roof.
When Should I Repair a Roof?
Most roofing contractors recommend that you have a professional inspection on your roof every year. That way, you can repair any little problems before they become major, not to mention costly, issues.
Check your roof after any significant storms for any curling or broken shingles. A roofing professional can replace those shingles with no problem, extending your roof’s lifespan another few years.
Do I Need to Replace My Whole Roof?
When considering whether to replace or repair a roof, you don’t always have to swing completely toward one side or the other. For example, if there is only damage on one side of your home, you don’t have to replace the entire roof, especially if your roofing contractor still has your shingle type in stock.
However, partial reroofing comes with its own complications, especially for asphalt roofs. If your roof has multiple layers, the roofing contractor will need to remove all those layers to create a smooth reroofing. Plus, mixing the old roof with the new might create an undesirable lopsided look.
Should I Tear Off My Roof or Roof Over the Old One?
If you want to replace your whole roof, you can decide whether to install a new roof over the old one or tear the old one away. That depends on how much money you want to save and what materials your current roof uses.
Remember that you cannot place a new roof over two or more types of roof covering. For example, if you have two layers of shingle roofs already laid down, you cannot add a new one. This helps to protect your home’s structure and keeps the roof from getting too heavy.
Some roof materials, like asphalt shingles, hold better when applied directly to your roof deck. Plus, removing old shingles will allow a roofing professional to better inspect your roof for wear and tear.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your roof can be tricky, but a roofing professional can answer your questions. If you need a few repairs or a whole new roof, Baltic Roofing can give you a hand in making your roof good as new.
So shoot us a phone call or email. We look forward to serving you and your family home.
