It is an unfortunate reality that eventually the roof over your head starts leaking, signaling the time for a roof repair. But even worse than a leaking roof repair is the inevitable roof replacement. It happens to all of us at one point or another and knowing when to contact roofing contractors is half the battle.
Replacing VS. Repairing
Deciding whether to replace or repair residential roofing is a very loaded question. An individual without the knowledge and expertise of roof installation can easily be nervous of a simple leak and spend more money than needed. That isn’t to say a leaking roof should be ignored, quite the contrary since 40 percent of problems real estate experiences are due to water intrusion. However, there are a few rules of thumb to consider to narrow down where your roof may fall under.
The lifespan and type of roof you own should first be considered; while the buildings themselves are designed with a 50 year lifespan in mind, the roofs are half that, around 20 years. How old are your shingles? Or do you own a metal roof? When and how often did you have inspections? If you experience leaking from a young roof, then either the shingles need replaced, which is unlikely, or the most likely scenario is that your roof has an imperfection and needs to be addressed. That drip may be slow, but considering that just a shallow inch of rainfall on your roof can be as much as 1500 gallons. This is especially concerning if your roof is of low-quality and pushing 20; they tend to handle weather poorly.
With proper inspection done once or twice a year can actually be very proactive. This allows for any problems in your residential roofing to be noticed and quickly fixed before further damage can be done. In fact, if inspections are done frequently in areas that experience plenty of rainfall, you should know that 93 percent of water damage can actually be avoided if proper precautions are taken for your residential roofing.
Again, it is not an easy question to answer. Your best bet is to get in contact with a contractor that is qualified to inspect and, hopefully, direct you to the best avenue. It is best to hear from experienced individuals rather than letting an issue get out of hand that could have been prevented; this is the roof over your head and putting it off only worsens it.