The roof is your home’s first line of defense against several kinds of damage. From the sun and extreme temperatures to rain, wind, and snow, without this protective barrier, the interior of your home would start deteriorating quickly. But then again, it’s not enough for your roof to just be there. It has to be in good condition.

A roof that hasn’t been properly taken care of opens your home up to various risks, such as leaks, mold, pest infestations, etc. Luckily roofs are created to be solid and last a long time. And regular maintenance can extend their lifespan even further. But no matter what you do, after a while, your roof will start to show signs that it’s time to fix your roof. But first, you’ll have to decide what that fix entails. In other words, you must choose whether to repair or replace your roof.

To help you make the right decision, we have created this comprehensive article which should help you get a complete and deep understanding of each of these options, so you can make as informed of a choice as possible.

The basics of a roof replacement

The roof replacement process comes down to replacing the entire visible area of the roof. Unlike a repair where you only fix a specific part of the roof, this process requires removing everything to expose the roof deck to install a new one. 

Roof replacements require a lot more work. This means you’ll be spending much more money and time on it. A standard replacement usually lasts a few days (if everything goes as planned).

A mix of extra resources, time, and manpower means this process will usually be a huge expense. This is when the importance of an insurance claim starts to shine. For example, if storm damage is why your roof requires a full replacement, your insurance might be able to cover at least part of the expenses involved. 

There are many reasons why people choose to replace their roofs. For example, if your roof starts to sag, it’s a clear sign that a roof replacement is necessary. Sagging is a severe problem, and you can think of it as a warning that tells you your roof might collapse. 

The steps involved

Although every roof replacement is a unique process, and yours might include some extra steps, there is a general formula for every roof replacement. The basic step-by-step goes as follows:

• Removing the old roofing – The roof will be stripped down to the decking;
• Decking inspection – most commonly, your roofers will also check whether the decking needs certain repairs and do them if necessary;
• Decking prep and upgrades – the roofers will prepare the decking for laying the new roof. Additionally, if you were planning to do any upgrades, such as installing water and ice barriers, this would be the time for that;
• Installing the new roof – this is the crucial moment when your roofers will start installing the new roof;
• Cleanup and inspection – the roofers will end the process by cleaning everything up and usually doing one last inspection to make sure everything was done correctly. 

The basics of a roof repair

Roof repairs are usually conducted for lesser damages. They restore a smaller part of your roofing system, and they can even extend the entire system’s lifespan. Roof repairs focus on smaller, isolated portions of your roof, and the process will depend on the type of damage. Some examples include patching holes, filling gaps, and/or replacing missing or damaged materials, such as shingles.

When considering whether you should repair or replace your roof, you must do an inspection. Of course, getting a qualified roof inspector involved is the safer choice. However, you can also do this yourself. If you have a pair of binoculars, you can scan the structure of your roof from the ground. The point is determining whether damages are minor and focused in one area or heavy and widespread throughout your roofing system. Some examples of things you should be looking out for would be the following: 

• Cracked flashing,
• Punctures,
• Nail pops,
• Holes,
• Granule loss,
• Broken or missing shingles.

The steps involved

Just like a roof replacement, a roof repair usually follows a general formula with slight variation depending on factors like the type and extent of the damage. The basic step-by-step goes as follows:

• Inspection – we have already discussed this above, but it’s important to note that this is always the first thing you have to do during a roof replacement;
• Insurance claim – if you’re eligible for insurance coverage, your first step would be to make a claim and get the green light from your insurance company;
• Gathering the permits – this step is usually handled by the roofing company you hire. The point is that while this process may set you back a bit in your repair schedule, it is necessary;
• Preparing the home – the roofers will first prepare your home to protect other areas from getting damaged by the process. This usually involves putting tarps over dump zones and covering the landscape. Experts from Orange Mover advise you to get involved in this process by moving anything you were storing in your attic into another storage area, such as a shed or short-term storage facility unit;
• The repair – this is the time when the repairs take place;
• Cleanup – just like a replacement, roof repairs can be messy. Your roofers will clean up debris and remove the protection set up during the home prep.

Making the right choice to repair or replace your roof

No matter your choice, it will take a lot of time, resources, and money. This is why it has to be considered so carefully. The following list of questions to ask yourself should ensure that you are making the exact right choice for your situation.

How old is your roof? 

While they are built to last for ages, roofs will start to deteriorate after a long time of protecting your home. Every material and feature on your roof has an expiration date and lifespan. For example, asphalt shingles usually last around 20 years, while metal roofing lasts much longer. If this lifespan has passed, a roof replacement would be a much better investment than continuous repairs.

What condition is your roof currently in? 

This question has already been anticipated within this article. In short, if your roof has suffered extensive damage or heavily deteriorated over time, a replacement might be necessary. But, on the other hand, if the damages are minor and localized, there’s no need to spend a massive chunk of your hard-earned money on a replacement.

How much of your roof is in poor condition? 

The surface area of your roof that needs fixing is another great sign of whether you have to repair or replace your roof. A great rule of thumb is that if more than 30% of your roof needs fixing, it’s time for a replacement. 

How much longer will you stay there? 

This question is crucial for determining how big of an investment it will be. If you don’t plan to stay in your current home for a very long, replacements might be a waste of time. A repair might be able to put you up for two or three more years. But, if you want to increase its resale value and move soon, a replacement might be a wiser choice. Of course, a complete replacement and upgrade is a must if this is your forever home or you plan on staying there for more than ten years. 

What is your budget? 

Sometimes this choice simply comes down to what you can afford at the moment. If your roof isn’t at risk of collapsing anytime soon, but you still want to conduct a replacement, you might be able to get away with a minor repair now, which will give you time to save up for a replacement later on. 

To conclude

Now that you have better insight into both of these projects, it should be easier to make the right choice. Your best bet would be to set aside an afternoon to consider every factor discussed in this article and determine whether your situation calls for you to repair or replace your roof. Of course, professionals can always help in these situations. You can schedule consultations and inspections to get the opinion of someone with much more experience. However, at the end of the day, it all comes down to what you are ready to do.