Before you consider getting a residential roof repair or roof replacement, thinking carefully about all your options can help you save money in the long run.
Having a few broken roof shingles does not necessarily mean you have to replace your roof. There are many other factors to consider before you buckle down for full roof replacement services.
However, many roofing companies are not honest and direct when advising their clients on whether they should get their roofs repaired or replaced.
A few missing shingles are enough to have them eagerly anticipating being hired to replace the entire roof with a new roof deck added in for good measure!
With the high cost of roofing material, you cannot just wake up and decide you want a new roof.
At Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR, we invite you to give us a call for a free and thorough inspection.
Our services are affordable, top-notch, efficient, and guaranteed to increase your roof’s lifespan.
Whether you have wood decking, roof valleys, or any other type of roof covering, give us a call today to schedule a free roof inspection.
Confused between roof repair and replacement? Here's what to consider before hiring a roofing company.
— Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR (@WDRofAustin) July 20, 2023
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Reasons for Needing a Local Roofing Company
Austin, Texas experiences more than its fair share of storms, high winds, occasional hail, and other inclement weather.
Usually, it is after going through a period of bad weather that you realize that you have a roof leak, broken or missing shingles, or some other similar problem that requires you to repair or replace your roof.
When you realize you want a few new shingles or an entire roof replacement, it is always better to hire local roofing companies for the job because:
- They have access to local and affordable roofing materials
- It’s easy to track their reputation
- The contractors have local knowledge, are accessible, and responsive
- They know the local trends for great curb appeal
- It gives a good sense of community
Read more: Local vs Out of Town Roofing Contractors
Difference Between Roof Replacement and Repair
Knowing the difference between roof replacement and repair is the first step towards deciding whether to replace your whole roof or just target the few areas with roof leaks.
The following descriptions of each service will help you understand more about their key differences:
Roof Replacement
Roof replacement is just another way of saying you are getting a new roof. These are services that target the entire roof and will have the greatest impact on your house’s curb appeal.
When you replace your roof, you have to strip off every square foot of your old shingles or other roofing material until the deck is exposed before you get to work on your new roof.
Roof replacement involves a lot more work and roof materials, which makes it the more expensive of the two services.
However, even though the cost of roof replacement is high upfront, it can save you lots of money down the line by limiting the future repair work that will be required.
Certain roofing issues, such as sagging or severe water/fire damage require you to replace your roof at all costs, otherwise, you risk paying for expensive roof repairs that may not be enough to solve the problem.
The following are the steps to roof replacement:
- Removing your old roof
- Inspection of the entire roofing system for signs of damage, rot, or molding
- Preparation of the deck
- Installing the new roof
- Final inspection and cleanup
Roof Repairs
Roof repairs, on the other hand, vary greatly according to the extent of the roof damage, but are much cheaper than re-roofing your whole roof.
When done by professionals, roof repair can be very effective at increasing the lifespan of your old roof.
It’s something that every homeowner in Austin will have to deal with at some point, from repairing a few damaged shingles to fixing large areas of roofing that were damaged after a storm.
The temptation to DIY is quite strong when it comes to roof repair. However, you should always hire a professional roofing contractor because the cost of poor workmanship may be that you will need to replace your roof again in a few years.
Once you have decided that roof repair is the best option, the following steps are needed:
- A roof inspection to determine the roof damage and material needed
- Home preparation to ensure the safety of your family and property while the repairs are happening
- The process to repair damage in specified areas
- Final inspection and clean up
Pros and Cons of Roof Replacements
These are the advantages and disadvantages of roof replacement that you should be aware of:
Pros
- Saves money in the long-run
- Addresses all roofing issues
- Better energy efficiency
- Increases curb appeal
Cons
- Can be very expensive
- More labor, material, and time are required
Pros and Cons of Roof Repair
If you are leaning towards just repairing a few shingles rather than the entire roof replacement, keep the following pros and cons in mind:
Pros
- Repairing a roof is much cheaper than paying for a new one
- It takes a lot less time
- When done correctly, it will increase the lifespan of an older roof
Cons
- Difficult to match new shingles with old ones which affects the curb appeal
- Does not address underlying roofing problems
- If done poorly, it will only mean more money will be needed soon to repair or replace your roof
Is Roof Replacement the Same as Re-roofing?
While these two procedures are similar in many ways, they do have distinct differences that are mainly centered on whether your roof damage covers one or two layers of your roofing system.
When only your roof’s top layer has been damaged, such as the ridge cap or the old shingles, re-roofing every square foot of that old roof will be adequate. This involves simply adding a new layer of shingles on top of the old roof.
However, when the damage is severe enough to affect two layers of the roofing system, including both the shingles and the deck, the only option will be to replace the entire roof.
In that regard, replacement is usually more expensive than re-roofing.
Nine Factors To Consider Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor
The question of whether to repair or replace your old roof can be answered by looking at the following nine factors:
The Extent of Roof Damage
Look at every square foot of roof that has been damaged. If you are going to have to repair or replace more than 50% of your roof then surely this warrants a complete replacement job.
If you can, do an inspection of the deck and other internal components of your roof as well. A lot of repair jobs only focus on getting some new shingles in place while forgetting that other parts of the roof may have been damaged too.
The larger the damaged area, the more you will have to lean towards a full replacement of your roof to minimize the long-term costs.
Is It an Old Roof?
Old roofs are notoriously difficult to repair because of all the other wear and tear issues that the system has endured over the years. If your roof is older than 20 years, it qualifies as an old roof.
In such cases, repairing just one section of the roof will have no impact on the overall lifespan of the whole roof. This is because as roofs age, certain parts, such as the deck, are difficult to repair and therefore will eventually need to be replaced.
Another issue is that the older roofs get, the more difficult it will be to find new shingles that match your roof color, or, in some cases, even get the same type of material you have on your roof.
Type Of Roof
What type of roof do you have? This is the very first question your contractor will ask you because the type of roof determines its overall lifespan. Slate roofs, for example, can last up to 100 years! This makes repairing them the preferred option in most cases.
If you have a tiled roof it can be easier to just replace the damaged tiles, which means total replacement is only necessary in cases of severe roof damage.
However, even if you have a slate or tiled roof, if the damage is extensive enough to threaten the structural integrity of your roof, you will have to consider replacing the roof in any case.
Cost of New Roofing Materials
Whether you choose to repair or replace your roof, the cost of material will come into play. The expensive roofing material will put a huge strain on your budget if you have to buy it in large amounts.
This makes repair work the preferred option to cut back on the cost of materials. However, if you are forced to consider replacement of the roof, you can still decide whether to go for a full replacement or simply a partial replacement, which is much cheaper.
The Urgency for Roofing Services
If it’s the rainy season in Texas, you know that rains are likely to be heavy and frequent. The last thing you will want is to be caught in a serious storm with a huge hole in the middle of your roof.
When time is of the essence, a quick repair job could be the ideal choice to prevent water damage. You can always go for a more permanent solution after the rains have gone and you have more time to work on your roof.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is something you have to consider carefully when choosing roofing materials, especially with the high cost of utilities these days. If your house was built a long time ago, chances are the type of material that was used is not very good at providing insulation.
In such cases, if you have a damaged roof, it might make sense to take that opportunity to replace the whole roof with new energy-efficient materials. Yes, it will cost you an arm and a leg upfront, but it’s the better long-term choice.
Long-term Goals
How long do you plan on staying in your house? Were you thinking of a massive renovation project in the next few years? Are you considering putting your home up for sale?
These are the questions you have to ask yourself when faced with the task of repairing or replacing your roof. A new roof could turn your house from a “fixer-upper” to a high-value piece of real estate, which would justify the cost of roof replacement.
Local Building Codes
A simple re-roofing job is usually the preferred option for most homeowners faced with the prospect of having to invest in new roofing. However, building codes in Austin, Texas may make that option impossible.
Keep the following codes in mind:
- If you already have two layers of shingles, you are usually not allowed to add a third
- There is a maximum weight of roof material that your structure is allowed to carry, therefore keep in mind the weight of the roof
- It’s unwise to add a new layer of shingles without checking the extent of underlying damage
- Re-roofing could mean losing the warranty on your new shingles
Do You Have an Insurance Claim?
If you have the kind of comprehensive home insurance policy that most insurance companies can offer, you may not need to worry about the cost of repairing or replacing your roof.
After suffering storm damage, check to see if you can make insurance claims to cover all the costs. If this is the case, why not go for a complete replacement of your roof instead of just an ordinary patch-up?
Buying New Asphalt Shingles Is No Fun
Asphalt shingles can be really expensive, which is one of the main reasons why people would rather fix a small part of the roof than go for a full-blown replacement.
At Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR, we can offer you the best advice for your roofing job, as well as give you access to affordable local materials to ease the strain on your budget.
Choosing the Right Roofing Company
Your journey to a long-lasting, safe, and secure roof with awesome curb appeal starts with your choice of a roofing contractor. If you want to avoid suffering from poor workmanship, use the following tips to choose the best company:
- Roofing experience should be without question and cover all types of materials and techniques
- Go for a local roofing company if you want to cut back on costs and receive reliable service
- Insist on a free and honest inspection as part of the deal
- Research the company very well and compare it with many other viable options
- Look at customer reviews from clients who have used their services before
Call Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR
Are you searching for one of the best roofing contractors in Austin, Texas? Your search ends right here because at Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR, repairing or replacing your roof at affordable prices is our passion. Give us a call today, at +1 512-820-6505 to schedule an appointment.