How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Roof
RoofingIf one day you notice water stain on your ceiling, does that mean you need a new roof? Or what if you spot a shingle that has a piece missing? Or you find a shingle in your yard after a windstorm? Do any or all of them mean you need a new roof? Or can you get by with just a roof repair?
That’s a lot of questions and the answers could mean significant expenses or cost savings too you. If you repair your roof and issues return right away, it could damage your house and belongings. If you replace your roof before it’s necessary, you could spend thousands of dollars unnecessarily.
Using the following guidelines will help you decide whether it’s time for a new roof or if making do with your old one is the best way to go.
1. Leaks
It’s usually a cause of instant stress for homeowners when they spot signs of a leaky roof on their ceiling. If it’s the first time you’ve spotted a leak, or if the leaks only appear in one area, a good repair job will likely fix the problem.
But if you notice leak stains on different parts of your ceiling, or signs of moisture at different parts of the underside of your roof in the attic, it’s a sign that the problem is widespread and that you probably should replace your roof.
2. Different Sorts of Damage
Similarly, if you notice a single damaged or missing shingle, it’s not time to tear off your old roof and get a new one. But if you have some missing shingles, and others that are curled, and some that are cracked, it’s new roof time.
3. Age of the Roof
Different roofing materials have different lifespans. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in Canada and they should last at least 20 years. If your roof is relatively new – less than 10 years old – and you spot signs of damage, it’s probably worth repairing because you know the roof has a significant lifespan to go. But if you spot the same damage in year 19, it’s probably best to replace the roof. Even if the problem is isolated, once a roof nears the end of its life expectancy, you never know when significant problems can start happening in quick succession.
If you’re still not sure whether to repair or replace your roof, talk to a trusted roofing contractor.
Please note: Chouinard Bros. does not recommend any homeowner complete repairs to their roof of their own. Our technicians are skilled at performing this work and have received years of training to understand how to complete repairs safely.