It can be very obvious when there’s an issue with a roof, but it might not be so obvious what the best solution is. In some cases, it’s possible to repair the damage but, in other cases, it’s best to replace the whole roof. When deciding whether Residential Roof Replacements in Philadelphia are necessary, there are a few factors to consider.
How Old Is the Roof?
The first thing to consider is the overall age of the roof. If the roof is reaching the end of its life, it may be better to spring for a whole new roof even if it might be possible to get by with just a repair. Otherwise, it’s likely there will be lots more problems coming up in the future due to the overall age of the roof. This is more of a consideration with wood or asphalt shingles, which tend to last 15 to 20 years. Slate, concrete or clay tile, and metal roofs can all last 100 or more years as long as they’re properly cared for by the homeowner.
How Much Damage Is There?
Have a specialist in Residential Roof Replacements in Philadelphia, such as those at Philly Roofing, to determine exactly how much damage there is and where it’s located on the roof. If 30 percent or more of the roof is damaged, it may be better to replace than to repair the roof. However, if it’s just a few missing or damaged shingles or flashing that needs to be replaced, a repair is often possible.
Do a Cost Comparison
In some cases, due to all the work necessary to complete the repair, including setting up the ladders and scaffolding, it may turn out that it wouldn’t be very much more to do the whole roof over than it would to make the repairs. Doing over the whole roof may be a better option, especially in cases where it’s possible to install the new roof over the old one, since they wouldn’t have to take the time and effort to remove the old roof. Another time when replacement may be better than repair is if the roof only has about five years or less of its expected life span left. Homeowners sometimes get discounts on property insurance when they replace a roof, so this needs to be factored in as well.
