The roof is one of the most critical components of your home. It provides the much-needed shade, shelter, and seclusion. Unfortunately, even the most durable, well-maintained roofs will reach the end of their lifespan at some point. One of the most common questions we get asked by homeowners, is can I repair my roof or is it time for a replacement?

The two solutions you end at to solve roofing issues are repairing or replacing the roof. But it’s difficult to tell when repairs are enough. No homeowner wants to replace their roof before its useful life is over. Similarly, if a replacement is necessary, most homeowners don’t want to delay a replacement and risk bigger issues arising. 

We know that finding a roofing contractor you trust can be difficult, that’s why at AIC Roofing and Construction were committed to doing things differently. We want you to feel confident and knowledgeable about your home’s roofing system which is why we have readily available resources such as our Learning Center and YouTube Channel.

In this article, we’ll help you discern between when a roof would need a repair vs. a replacement. We hope this article will help you be able to more confidently talk to your roofing contractor to find the solution that’s best for your home.

How to tell if your roof needs a replacement or repair: Consider these Factors

When deciding between a repair or replacement, there are a few factors to consider. Making an honest assessment of your roof will help you determine which path is the most cost effective and best for the longevity of your home. 

The Age of your Roof

The average asphalt shingle roof lasts about 20 to 25 years. If your roof is approaching its typical replacement age, getting a new one may be the way to go. But if your roof is relatively new (installed in the last five to ten years) it may only need repair work.

Signs of an aging roof include:

  • Granule loss: Over time, the asphalt granules on your shingles will break down. This will cause your roof to appear faded. Significant granule loss is a sign your roof is at the end of its life. 
  • Cracked shingles: This could be due to recent weather, in which case your repairs may be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. However, cracked shingles are also a sign of age and are inevitable as your roof reaches the end of its useful life. 
  • Cupped shingles: A classic sign of an aging roof are shingles that appear cupped or warped. As your roof ages and is exposed to years of rain, wind and UV damage, the shingles will begin to warp.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to attend to them immediately. Old roofs are prone to leaks and addressing these issues in a timely manner will help prevent costly damage from occurring. 

If your roof is made of metal, tile, cedar or another material, your lifespan will vary. To get the most accurate assessment of how old your roof is and the remaining life, we recommend having a free roof inspection performed.

History of Repair

Your roof’s history of repairs is a critical factor if you want to make a financially sensible decision. If your roof has to be repaired on a constant basis, then it probably has extensive damage that repairs can’t solve. It isn’t worth spending thousands of dollars to fix a roof which will have to be replaced in a few years.

Scope of Repair

As a roof ages, it may develop problems which are larger in scope than a simple repair can solve. You should consider the extent of the damage and how much it will cost to fix it. If the area needing repair is more than, say, 30% of the roof, it might be a better idea and a better value to consider a roof replacement.

We will evaluate the extent of damage before making a recommendation to ensure your money isn’t spent on fixing a roof which really should be replaced.

Matching Shingle Color

An important consideration to make is our ability to get a closely matching shingle. As a roof gets older, its original color greatly changes because of weathering from the elements. This difference can make certain repairs unsightly because it might be difficult to blend new shingles into the rest of the roof. If the area in need of new shingles is large or in a prominent location, you’d better replace the whole roof if you don’t want mismatched shingles. If you need a roof replacement in Central Kentucky, our team at AIC Roofing & Construction is ready to assist. Contact us today to schedule your free roof inspection and estimate.

Most Common Roof Repairs

If your roof is at the end of its life, is needing to be repaired constantly or has systemic issues – a roof replacement will be the most cost effective. 

Roof repairs are performed when issues are localized and only occur along a small amount of square footage. Some common issues that we recommend repairing and not replacing your roof include:

  • Ventilation Issues: If you notice one or more of your roof vents has become damaged, this can be repaired without replacing your roof.
  • Leaks around the Chimney: Chimneys, especially brick chimneys, can be prone to leaks. Sometimes these leaks are a masonry issue and brick and mortar will need to be replaced and sometimes leaks are due to a flashing issue. Since chimney flashing may not be replaced with every roof replacement, this could be the cause of a chimney leak.
  • Minor weather damage: If a storm front rolled in and you notice missing shingles, cracked shingles or dents on your ventilation, these issues can most likely be resolved with a repair (and it’s likely your insurance policy would cover them!).
  • Punctures from falling limbs: If your home is near trees, especially large ones, falling limbs can cause puncture holes in your shingles. These can cause leaks. If your roof is in otherwise good condition, the damaged shingles can be easily replaced.
  • Leaks around a pipe boot: A pipe boot is a protective seal around plumbing vents penetrating your roof. Pipe boot seals can become cracked, causing leaks in your home. If you notice your roof leak happens to be occurring near a plumbing vent, this easily repairable item could be the cause! This is another reminder of why annual roof inspections are so important – catching a cracked pipe boot before it causes a leak!

Next Steps

AIC Roofing and Construction is part of the elite 2% of roofers in North America to hold the GAF MasterElite Certification. We renew this certification every year as part of our commitment to excellence.

We are able to offer our customers peace of mind with industry leading warranties at no additional cost. Replacing your roof is expensive and can be a stressful process. But, it doesn’t have to be. Our expert staff are with you every step of the way – before, during and after. We offer options such as working with your homeowners insurance and flexible financing to ensure the right solution for your home is accessible. 

Whether your home needs a repair or replacement, we’d love to give you our fair and honest assessment. We’ve served the Lexington Community since 2003 and our proud of the stellar reputation we have earned. Contact us today to schedule your free roof inspection. 

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