Should I Repair or Replace My Roof (Part 1)

Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?

When it comes to your home, an ounce of prevention is most definitely worth a pound of cure. Okay, ya'll get it.  Regular maintenance is good for both your home’s appearance and your wallet. Putting off needed repairs might save you in the short-term but it will end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

However, not all home improvement decisions are cut and dry. For example, it’s sometimes possible — and entirely acceptable — to repair a roof rather than replace it. Which route you take depends on several factors, including the type of damage your roof has sustained, and what percentage of the total roof surface is in need of repair.

When It’s Okay to Simply Replace Shingles

In some cases, all you need to do to restore beauty and function to your roof is replace a few shingles. Asphalt shingles are designed to last for decades, and today’s modern roofing designs are engineered to last for as long as you own your home.

Before you decide to replace shingles, however, it’s important to have a professional like Lowry Roofing Co inspect your roof to determine if any of the underlayment or decking is damaged. There’s a big difference between a few missing shingles lost during heavy winds and a leak that extends through the various layers of your roof. If the damage is extensive, it’s usually a better idea - and a better value - to replace the entire roof.

Also keep in mind that shingles are exposed to rain, hail (sometimes big, Texas-sized hail), and heat. Even if you have a spare box of shingles left over from when your roof was installed, you might have a hard time matching the “new” shingles to the ones on your roof. Depending on the location and the size of the area in need of patching, it might be difficult to blend replacement shingles into the rest of the roof.

However, if the area in need of new shingles is located in an inconspicuous area, or the section is relatively small, you might be able to get away with nailing down some replacement shingles.

Tip: If your roof is missing a few shingles, don’t wait to replace them. The shingles are there to protect your roof’s decking from moisture and wind. Even a small, exposed area can allow water to seep into the underlayment and into the deck, where it can cause rot and eventually leakage.
Take care of those types of problems immediately.  

Lowry Roofing Co is happy to assess your roof  free if charge and tell you the best options for repairing any damage you may have.