Your roof will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. You need to make the right decision when to repair and when to replace, for optimal roof performance. You do not need to waste a lot of money when a few repairs could do the trick and you do not want to wait too long either because extensive leaks can cause expensive water damage to your home. It is important to assess the condition of the roof, identify signs of roofing failure and make the decision to replace your roof at the right time.Detect leaksRoofing leaks are a major source of roofing failure. Unfortunately, there is no other part of your home that is exposed to the risk of water damage as much as your roof. You should have a regular inspection and maintenance schedule for your roof; at least once or twice a year when the seasons change. You will identify early signs of trouble and make the necessary repairs so you can prevent catastrophic damage. Some of the signs of roof leaks include dark patches on your ceilings, peeling paint around the roof edges, water stains on the vents and damp spots around your fireplace.In case you do not have a ladder, you can use binoculars to inspect your roof from outside if you suspect there is a problem. You should notice problems such as bucking, warping or blistering shingle, rusting spots on flashing and worn out chimneys among others. Masses of moss and lichens could also indicate that your roof is decaying and at this point, replacement may be necessary.Why repairRoof repairs should be done when the roof is sound. Minor leaks at specific points can cause anything from $10 to $1000 to replace. Sudden damages from storms and bad weather can also be repaired and paid for by your homeowners insurance in case you have a cover. Insurance companies will not pay for any damages caused by weak and worn out roofs. And if the damage is triggered by a storm, if your roof was weak before, the insurance company may not compensate you.Minimize long-term costsRegular maintenance and repairs helps to minimize long-term costs related to your roof. Poorly maintained roofs will require replacement much sooner compared to roofs that have been enrolled in Regular Maintenance Program that involves cleaning, detecting and repairing small damages before they develop into larger problems.Partial and complete reroofingYou also have the option of partially replacing your roof. Partial replacement includes replacing damaged shingles with news ones especially when there is significant damage on only one side of the roof. Partial reroofing costs you more than replacing the entire roof. The repaired section can blend well with the old roof with minor color differences. Re-roofing is advisable if there are signs that you will need to replace the other half in a couple of years which will be more expensive. Roofs that have reached the manufacturers expected lifespan, usually more than 16 to 20 years will often benefit from complete re-roofing.
