Roof Replacement vs. Roof Repair: How to Make the Decision

Roofs are an essential part of the structure of your home. It is what protects you from the elements – keeps you warm during winter, dry during rainy seasons, and shielded during sunny days. With it being exposed to external elements – and sometimes enduring harsh conditions – it suffers from wear and tear which overtime results in damage.

If you do end up in a situation where your roofing ends up getting damaged, you have to make a decision whether you should repair or replace. To help you decide, below are the list of factors you need to consider when making the decision —

Roof Repair

Roof repair is plausible if the damage was caused by either storm or other natural external elements and not due to human error. This can be covered by your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy and is the quickest solution if you are seeking to have your roofing normal and is cost-efficient.

This option solely focuses on repairing the damaged portion of your roof and is preferable if the damage inflicted is small. However, there are cases that although the damage is not as widespread, you would still be advised to replace it. This option could also be costly if it is past warranty, too damaged to be repaired, or due to a failed DIY repair attempt.

To further help you, consider these pros and cons for Roof Repairs –

Pros

• Gives you time prior roof replacement
• Prevent future problem if repair is done correctly
• Quickly restores your roofing situation
• Minimizes further exposure to external elements
• Homeowner’s Insurance can back you up
• Less costly if the damage is minor
• Saves you bucks if you address minor damages immediately
• Allows you to use the roof to its full lifespan
• Restores it to its previous appeal

Cons

• Difficulty of matching colour and style for discontinued parts
• Colour and Style of the part used for repair may not be a match
• Human error and Wear & Tear is not covered by Homeowner’s Insurance
• If done incorrectly, DIY repairs could cause further damage
• Partial repairing of roofing could be as expensive as replacing the roof
• Labour cost is equal to Roof Replacement
• Miss out of bulk discounts
• Only a temporary solution
• Repair is only temporary; Its purpose is to only let you use the roof to its full lifespan – its age and quality will limit it
• Allows underlying issues to be overlooked

Roof Replacement

Roof Replacement involves scraping the aged materials on the roofing deck and replacing it with brand new materials. It gives you the opportunity to switch and upgrade the design and change its colour. This may serve best if you plan to upgrade the entire aesthetic of your home and increase your home exterior’s appeal.

This would also be ideal if your roofing is ready to give out. It is the most cost-efficient way of fixing aged and damaged as roof repair would equate to the expenses of re-roofing and not address the roofing issues. Although if it is still brand new, repairing it would be plausible as it helps you utilize the materials to its full lifespan.

Pros

• Brand new roofing would last longer than a repaired one
• New ones come with warranty – any chance that it is damaged, it can be repaired for free provided that it is within the warranty limit
• Chance to replace and upgrade you roofing, both in colour and design
• Saves you bucks (especially, if the aged and damaged roofing is near irreparable)
• The cost of changing aged and damaged roofing equates to the cost of repairing it
• Issues covered by previous repairs would be eliminated and addressed
• No need to worry over leaks and broken shingles
• Increases the current value of your property

Cons

• If roofing issue is not concerning, it may be more expensive
• Need to find a contractor that offers workmanship warranty
• Consumes more time compared to a Roof Repair
• Expose underlying roofing issues which could increase the cost of replacement
• The process would cause disruption on your home routine
• Purchasing new materials for your roofing is pricey

The longevity of your house is tied to the longevity of your roof. It is an essential part of your house making it an investment. Making a decision whether to repair or replace comes with a price. There are factors to consider and it is best that you consult an expert on helping you decide which option would suit best your roofing situation. We at Second to None Roofing would be happy to provide a free estimate and answer any questions that might come up. We would love nothing more than to work with you in relieving the stress of your home improvement needs. So fill out the form or call us today!