Roofs are considered an essential component of a house. They protect everything that comes under them. Every roof, though, has a specific service life. After that, the quality starts deteriorating. Therefore, homeowners choose to re-roof.
You might be wondering whether re-roofing is similar to roof replacement… It’s not. Re-roofing is a simple process of adding a new layer of shingles on top of already existing ones. Every homeowner can do this if the roof is in overall good shape and has no major water damage or soggy/missing shingles. Generally, re-roofing can only be done once. This is not an option for homes with more than one layer of roofing. Moreover, you should also avoid re-roofing only small parts of your roof– it works better when you need to re-roof all of it.
Point Of Caution: Sometimes rotting or sagging is not noticeable beneath the shingles and if that’s the case then re-roofing is not an option. If you think that re-roofing is not an option, then your next option is a complete roof replacement. Basically, roof replacement can be done at any time, but especially if there are problems with the roof deck.
Why Do Homeowners Choose To Re-Roof?
The Roof Deck Is Sagging
When you inspect your roofline and you find that the roof shingles are not aligned with each other, then it means that the roof is sagging or sloping oddly. The sagging of the roof can be caused by excessive moisture getting trapped in-between the layers of the roof. If you are unable to identify whether the roof deck is completely intact from the outside view, then you should take a look from inside the home’s attic. Homeowners can choose to re-roof by examining the severity of the problem. In such a situation, you might not have to replace the roof.
Roof Leaks
A leaky roof is one of the most common reasons homeowners need roof repairs or re-roofing. If you’ve seen water stains inside your home that run across ceilings or run down your walls, the cause could be a leaky roof. Finding the source of the roof leak can often be tricky, but a certified roofing contractor can help with the process.
Regardless of the source of your leak, it’s important to solve a leaky roof problem sooner rather than later — something that begins as a small leak can eventually lead to bigger problems, such as:
- Mold
- Rotting framing and roof sheathing
- Damaged ceilings
- Wet or destroyed insulation
Structural Damage to The Roof:
- Curled or cupped edges on asphalt or wood shingles
- Missing granules and bald spots on asphalt shingles
- Cracked or broken asphalt, tile or wood shingles
- Dented or perforated asphalt, tile, wood or metal roofing components
- Rusted metal shingles or panels
Age of Roof
Do you know when your current roof was installed? Depending on the type of roofing material used, a roof’s age may be a good indication of when to replace it. If your roof is showing signs of aging and/or has suffered storm damage, leaks, or other problems, it may be a good idea to consider replacing it. Replacing an older, damaged or failing roof, rather than repeatedly paying for roof repairs, can be worth the investment whether you intend to stay in your home for several decades or plan to sell soon.
Summary:
Before choosing to re-roof, it is very important to understand the design of the roof. Only then are you able to understand whether you should re-roof or not.
Generally, re-roofing is right for specific types of roofs. If a roof already has some major damages, then this is not a way to fix it. Being a homeowner, you should not re-roof if your roof is seriously damaged. It would just be a temporary cover-up that could be very dangerous in the future and only lead to further damage. Hiring a professional roofer would be beneficial to determine if your roof has any major damages that need to be fixed or that would require more repair than just a cover-up. A re-roof can give your house stronger support and a facelift that will make it look new again. The re-roofing process is a quick and easy process that is far less expensive than installing a new roof. Being a homeowner, if you think that your home would benefit from a re-roofing job, find qualified professional roofers to evaluate your home to see if this is the best option for you at this time.