Your roof is an important part of keeping your home in good condition. You want to make sure that it is always secure and in good repair, keeping your home comfortable and safe. To take care of your roof, it is recommended that you perform regular maintenance on it. The regular maintenance should keep the larger repair issues at bay. However, assessing the state of your roof so you are aware of when it must be repaired or replaced is also important. Follow these simple tips to know exactly what you should do when your roof needs to be fixed.
Evaluate the Roof and Identify Exactly What Needs to be Fixed
Before you begin any repairs on your roof, you need to check it out and see exactly what needs to be done. Depending on what your situation is, it may be a case of replacing a few lost shingles, or it may mean overhauling your whole roof and installing a brand new one. Even if you plan to take on this work yourself, it is still advised that you get the opinion of a professional before planning out your course of action. Many roofing companies offer free inspections year-round.
Patch Worn Areas or Replace the Roof Entirely?
Many people wonder if patching an existing roof is good enough to repair existing damage, or if they need to tear off the whole thing and put in a new roof. Again, it’s a good idea to consult a roofing professional who can evaluate the state of the roof and say if patching it will work for what you want, or will lead to future problems down the road. Patching your roof can be a cost effective solution for a quick fix. However, ignoring or putting off issues that require more extensive repair can lead to costly repairs later.
Can I Put a New Roof Over My Existing Roof?
While a lot of homeowners think that this is a viable option, putting a new roof that works well over an existing one to fix any problem areas, the truth is that it can lead to many issues in the future. Much like a cosmetic fix will do, a new roof may look great and provide some simple functions, but in the long run it can cover up areas of extensive damage. This can lead to greater problems for your home.
Reasons for Replacing a Roof
Once you have decided that the only possible action for you to take is to replace your roof entirely, it is important to recognize why you are doing it, so your issue does not spring back up in the future. Some situations, such as needing to replace your roof due to storm damage, cannot be avoided. However other problems, like rot caused by a build up of leaves or a roof that doesn’t drain properly, are likely to happen again after you’ve replaced your roof. To protect your new roof and keep it looking great for as long as possible, ask your roofer about maintenance that should be performed regularly.
