Getting a Tax Refund? Why Not Renovate With Roof Repair or Replacement?
Home repairs and renovations-- including roof repair or replacement-- are a great way to turn a tax refund into a home investment. Depending on the condition of the roof being replaced, you could see an immediate return of about 60 to 68 percent of the project cost, but it adds even more base value if you plan to sell in a few years, especially if a roof in poor condition is replaced by a new roof material such as tile or metal.
Broken Shingles
Broken or missing shingles are the most common reason to get roof replacement or repair. When the shingles become damaged, they allow wind and water to get beneath the exterior covering. In time the water under your shingles will cause rot and has the potential to promote the growth of mold and mildew inside the home by increasing the interior humidity. Additionally, loose or broken shingles are more vulnerable to blowing winds, creating a domino effect of damage.
Sagging Trusses
If there is a noticeable dip along the surface of your roof, it is a definite sign that the trusses beneath are either old or damaged and no longer able to support the roofing properly. Left alone, the whole roof will eventually cave in. This type of roof replacement will add a great deal of value compared to how it would appraise with the old roof. This type of roof damage is fairly rare, however, and typically develops over decades.
Soffits and Fascia Boards
The bottom end of your trusses is capped with what is called a fascia board. This board creates a seal that prevents water from getting to the more porous truss ends. A soffit is the thin sheeting material used to box in the eaves. If you have a roof leak, both of these items are vulnerable to rot and may lead to extensive wall damage as well.
Storm DamagesIn heavy storms, debris can be blown long distances. Even if you do not have any trees near your home, branches can be blown onto it. In the most severe storms, all sorts of airborne debris could potentially cause damage. Similarly, leaves and twigs that accumulate in valleys and gutters encourage wood, metal, and asphalt to deteriorate more quickly.
Build Property Value
Go for a leisurely drive and take note of the condition of the roofs on houses as you go. It is easy to see when a roof is in need of repair or replacement. Because a roof is highly visible, it will quickly degrade the home value if it is not well-maintained. Conversely, putting a new roof on a house that needs one will improve the perceived property value of itself and the homes in its immediate vicinity.
Home repair and renovation have to be done now and then. If you are lucky enough to avoid damages caused by heavy storms, the materials themselves will eventually decay. If you have been putting off getting repairs to your roof, consider that a leak can cause a lot of interior damage, including walls, ceilings, and floors. The longer roof repair is delayed, the greater the cost of interior repairs will be.
Roof Repair or Replacement: How to Make the Best Decision
No matter what type of roof you have the chances are high that you will need to have roof repair or replacement at some point during your home ownership. The main question is whether you should get a full replacement, or if a few repairs will keep the roof in good working order for years to come. To help with that decision, here are some helpful tips to consider.
Age of Roof
Most roofs are warranted for around 20 years, and all roofing materials will require roof repair or replacement eventually. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof, but the shingles are prone to breakage and decay as they age. As a general rule, older roofs should be closely inspected before scheduling roof repair because replacement may save you money in the long run if your roof is seriously deteriorating.
Extent of Damage
Replacing a few shingles or tiles on your roof is an affordable solution if the damage is minor. If the damage is more extensive or the roof is failing in more than one location, roof replacement will be the most affordable option. Additionally, replacing the entire roof when multiple repairs are needed will prevent your roof from taking on a patchy appearance related to new shingles being installed in proximity to older, more faded roof material.
Type of Roof
Some types of roof are easier to repair than others, and even if your roofing material is in great shape, small leaks penetrating beneath the roofing can cause the underlying support structure to decay. One example is a roof comprised of metal sheets. Once a fastener works loose, water will begin to accumulate beneath the sheet in an area that is a perfect breeding ground for mold and decay. The outer metal sheet may appear to be in good condition, but over time the roof will sag and eventually collapse.
Something Different
There are more than a dozen types of roofing material available. If your existing roof is showing signs of age and wear, why not take a look at the options available on today's roofing market and install a new roof that gives your home a completely different look. Tiles, shingles, and metal roofing are all available in a wide variety of colors and styles, and some types of material-- metal and tiles for example-- can be manufactured to resemble other roof types.
New Construction
New construction of a garage, cottage or other structure on the property is an excellent time to replace the roof on your house as well. Replacing your roof in conjunction with roofing other buildings allows you to match the materials, colors, and designs across all of the structures on your property, creating a pleasant and vibrantly homogenous view of the property.
In general, roof repair is appropriate for buildings with minimal roof damage. Even older buildings can get by with repair if a majority of the roof and support structure are in good condition. If you are having a difficult time choosing the best course of action, scheduling an appointment with roofing contractors can give you a clear idea of the options available and a ballpark figure for the costs involved.
3 Pros and Cons Regarding Roof Repair or Replacement
If you are trying to decide between roof repair or replacement, it is a good idea to weigh the pros and cons before settling on the direction you want to take. If your roof only needs minor repairs, fixing only what is broken can save you time and money, but putting off replacing a roof in bad shape could lead to other damages to the home.
Advantages of Roof Replacement
Home Value
A new roof, unlike roofing repairs, will add a great deal of value to the home. If you are considering selling the home in the next few years, then the choice between roof repair or replacement should be approached from the long-term potential gain. Simple repairs preserve the home but don't add any significant value at the time of the sale.
2. Curb Appeal
Roof repair will not blend perfectly with the existing roof, even if you use the exact same roofing material and color. Your existing roof has slowly faded with the passage of time, and repaired areas will typically stand out when viewed against the original roof.
3. Peace of Mind
A new roof will last for 20 years or more, giving your family the peace of mind of knowing that the home's interior is well-protected against leaks. In contrast, making localized repairs may stop leaks for the time being, but indicate that your roof is beginning to age and more repairs may be necessary in the near future. It is logical to replace the entire roof at once rather than multiple smaller jobs in a few short years.
Disadvantages of Roof Replacement
Cost
Full-roof replacement can be very expensive, especially if you choose to go with certain types of roof material such as ceramic tile. Luckily, as long as the roof beneath those tiles is still in good condition, individual roof tiles are easy to replace and will not require removing more tiles than need to be replaced.
2. Disruption
Putting a new roof on your home will be a disruption for your household for a short time. Keep in mind that a new roof entails tearing off the old one and hauling away the debris, while a tear-off and dry-in can be done relatively quickly, it does add steps to the roofing process. Between the noise of hammers and saws, and delivery lifts or other heavy equipment you should be prepared for some inconvenience.
3. Time
You can have a small area repaired in the course of a single day, but replacing the whole roof-- especially when a tear-off is necessary-- will take a good deal longer. At best, quality roof replacement is going to require 3 to 4 days, but 7 to 10 days is a more realistic estimate. Climatic conditions like rain can delay progress. Even after the roof is dried-in, roofers aren't going to be working on a slippery, wet roof.
If your roof is leaking, missing shingles or the soffits and fascia boards are looking bad, it is important to get roof repair or replacement as soon as possible. If you aren't sure which route is best for you, your roofing contractors can offer a wealth of advice, including offering you some excellent options for roofing materials that are appropriate for your home and region.
Should a 20 Year Old Tile Roof Get Repair or Replacement?
Roofing tiles have a lot to offer the property owner, including being eco-friendly, impressively durable, and capable of going for decades without requiring significant roof repair or replacement. The important thing to remember about a tile roof is that repairs should be made as soon as the damage is detected because a breach in that tough outer shell leaves the building vulnerable to wind, rain, and pest infestation.
Analyze the Damage
Depending on the type and amount of damage, the decision between roof repair or replacement may go either way. If there are a lot of broken or missing tiles, replacement is generally the best option. If only a few tiles are damaged you can probably just get the area repaired. A nice trait of tile roofing is that replacing a few tiles is a relatively simple task because each tile is fastened individually. You should also take a close look at the soffits and fascia boards to determine whether the roof needs more extensive repairs.
Flashing and Roof Repair
Flashing around chimneys, vent pipes, or other places will lead to more serious damage if it is not repaired promptly. Missing flashing or sections that have become separated in places allow moisture to get beneath the tile causing the wooden portion of the roof to start decaying. If the flashing is the only issue and the roof is still secure, qualified roofers can make the repairs economically.
Underlayment and Porous Tile
Roofing tile is porous. It does a great job of channeling water off the roof and provides excellent protection against ultraviolet light and wind, but the underlayment is the primary moisture barrier. Unfortunately, when tile breaks it tends to cause minor punctures or scapes in the underlayment, allowing moisture to penetrate the outer roof. This leads to decayed decking, rotten rafters, and more. If the leak is severe enough, a small hole in the underlayment has the potential to cause many thousands of dollars in damage to the ceilings and walls of the building. Since roof tile can be removed and reattached, it is possible to have the underlayment repaired, and the process is affordable when compared to having to purchase new roofing tile as well.
Underneath It All
A tile roof has more repair options than-- for example-- an asphalt tiled roof. Small sections can be repaired without causing damage to the surrounding areas, roofers are able to access the flashing more easily, and you can reuse tiles that are not damaged when the repaired area is re-tiled. Very few roofing materials can compare to tile when it comes to durability and ease of repair, and regular maintenance will make the roof last as long as the building itself.
For a tile roof, 20 years is only about a quarter of the expected longevity. Unless something causes major damage suddenly, it is possible to keep the roof in great shape for up to 75 or 80 years, and even keeping the same roof for a century or more is a realistic goal.