Although roofs can often be repaired, there comes a time when getting a new roof installation is the better choice. Knowing when this is can help you make the right decision between repair and replacement.
1. Major Shingle Damage
Shingle damage can range from minor to severe. Minor damages, such as one or two missing or broken shingles, can usually be repaired. If there are a lot of damaged or missing shingles, though, a replacement is a better option. Cupping, which is when shingles begin to curl up around their edges, indicates shingle failure and is one type of damage that almost always means that it is time for a new roof installation.
2. Sagging Roof Sections
A roof can develop sags in one of two places. The first is along the main planes of the roof. This type of sagging is caused when the plywood decking has become damaged or started to rot. Both the shingles and the decking must be replaced. The other type is along the ridgeline and is caused when the support and truss system is failing. These systems must be replaced before the new roof is installed.
3. Interior Water Leaks
Water leaks inside the home from the roof should never be ignored. Even small leaks will soon become severe, plus even a small leak can lead to moldy insulation, drywall damage, and wood rot in the rafters. Although some leaks are repairable, a replacement is necessary if there are extensive leaks or if the leaks keep returning even after repairs are made. A new roof is also a necessity if the leak had caused the decking board to rot or warp.
4. Extreme Gravel Loss
Asphalt shingles are covered in a protective gravel coating. Age and weathering can cause the gravel to come off, thus weakening the shingles and leading to leaks. Hail strikes and impacts from falling branches can also knock off this gravel coating. If you are finding large amounts of gravel washing off the roof, or if the shingle look shiny, then it may be time to install a new roof.
5. Solar Installation
Sometimes it makes sense to install a new roof even if your old one has a couple of more years of life left in it. If you will be installing solar panels, for example, you should put in a new roof before doing so. It is more costly and time-consuming to remove the panels in a couple of years to replace the roof than it is to simply do the roof replacement a couple of years early before the panels are installed.
Contact a roof installation service if you think you need a new roof.
