October 9, 2015
How do I Know if my Roof Needs to be Repaired or Replaced?
With time, all roofs wear out and need replacing. It is important to know the right time for a replacement so you don’t end up wasting money because you did it too soon, or alternatively, suffering from water damage and other disruptions because you waited too long. There are a few things you can do to get the timing right and identify early signs of roof failure.
Follow these simple guidelines to ensure that your roof is replaced at the right time:
- Hire a professional roofing company to perform a complete roof condition assessment
- Are the costs of the repairs are high and frequent?
- Did the roof has surpass its warranted expected life? Have you been doing proper maintenance?
During the assessment, your contractor should thoroughly examine every part of the roof, including: seams, flashings, attachment points, cracks at joints and corners, units and projections. They will also assess the roof for damage, deterioration, punctures, ageing, leaks, ponding water, etc., and will most likely do a test-cut (cut through the roofing material to see what’s under the surface layer, and if your existing insulation is saturated with water). This will allow them to properly identify the current condition of the window and decide whether repairs or a replacement is necessary.
When there is some kind of damage on your roof, you have to determine whether to simply patch up the damaged areas, or get a partial or complete re-roofing. Usually, repairs are reasonable if the leak or damage is on a brand new or sound roof. After all, you don’t want to pay for repairs only to incur replacement costs after a couple of years because your roof has reached the end of its life.
However, when you reach a point where the repairs are being done too frequently, or when they add up to a cost that is greater than that of a roof replacement because the first roof was poorly installed or perhaps you used the wrong materials for your building’s location and design, it may be more cost-effective to get a new roof installed.
How old is the roof? Many experts agree that a standard roof has a life cycle of between 20 and 25 years. However, longevity may also depend on whether the old roof was properly maintained, if it was installed over another layer of roof, or if it is properly ventilated.
Many building owners decide to get a new roof when they spot irreparable damage on their roof, conditions such as water damage can cause a serious enough problem to need replacing. If the roof was installed over another layer, and has been in place for more than two decades, you probably need to get it replaced.
Final note
A new roof is a costly proposition, and in most cases, taking the right steps to get roof repair when small problems crop up can help reduce the likelihood of bigger problems that necessitate a replacement. However, there are instances when a roof replacement is the only option. Call in a roofing expert that works in all Canadian seasons to assess the amount of work that needs to be done, and advise you on the best cause of action. It’s an investment that will save your company time and money in the long run.
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