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Northern Indiana weather conditions can take a heavy toll on roofs. Heavy rain and snow, high winds, and hail are just a few of the conditions that can cause damage to your roofing system. With your roof being such an integral part of your home’s exterior and security, it can be stressful when it’s damaged.
When you notice your roof is damaged or just getting to the end of its life, it can be difficult to know what to do. How can you know whether it can be repaired or should be fully replaced? In this article, we’ll explain what to look for and how you can be confident in your decision to either repair or replace your roof.
The Differences Between Roof Repair and Replacement
Roof Repair
Roof repair includes any change made to your roof short of a full tear off and replacement. Common roof repairs include replacing a section of shingles, replacing damaged flashing, and replacing accessories such as pipe boots or vents. As an example, if a wind storm hits your home and a shingle blows off your roof, this may be repairable damage. You may be able to insert a new shingle where the missing one was, reattach it, and hope the shingles around it re-seal. Roof repairs are typically the cheaper alternative when compared to replacement. Less material is used and less labor is involved, keeping cost to a minimum. The main issue with repair is that it is usually a shorter-lived solution than replacement and may cause your roof to fail sooner than it should.
Roof Replacement
Residential roof replacement is defined as a full removal of existing roof covering products and installation of new products. This sometimes includes replacing decking, but can often be achieved with new underlayment and shingles or metal only. Replacement is generally significantly more expensive than repair, but the benefit is that your roof has a full update and will last far longer than a repair would.
How To Know What Your Roof Needs
There are many circumstances that can indicate whether a repair or replacement is needed. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we have outlined some things to look for below.
An Isolated Missing Shingle:
If you noticed just one shingle missing, this is typically a repairable damage to your roof.
Minor Flashing Issues:
Flashing can usually be safely repaired by an experienced professional, but can lead to issues if done incorrectly.
Minor Leaks:
Small leaks can often be repaired. If the source can be identified, the issue can be identified and repaired. Again, it may be necessary to have a professional inspect the roof to make sure the issue is addressed correctly.
Widespread Shingle Damage:
If you have missing shingles on multiple faces of your roof, repair will only be a short-term solution that will likely lead to bigger issues in the future. One thing to note here is that your insurance provider should cover replacement if the damage is extensive enough.
Sagging or Soft Decking:
When decking goes bad, it is a strong sign that your roof covering has failed and allowed moisture to penetrate the decking. In this case, a full replacement would be necessary.
Repeated or Extensive Leaks:
If you have had a leak repaired multiple times without success or you’re noticing significant leakage, it is most likely time for a roof replacement.
Roof Age is Between 15 and 25 Years:
If you’re experiencing any of the issues listed above and your roof is 15-25 years old or older, a full roof replacement is the best solution to solve the problem.
It can be difficult to identify the exact issue or to know the extent of the damage your roof has. In cases where you aren’t sure, it can be helpful to have a professional inspect the roof to assess the damage and provide a report on their findings. Here at Professional Roofing Solutions & Construction LLC, we offer free, no-obligation roof inspections so you can have confidence in the condition of your roof.
How Northern Indiana Weather Affects This Decision
When making the decision of repair vs. replacement, it is important to consider what the long-term effect of weather will be on your roof. For instance, if your home is located in the country, it may be more susceptible to wind damage than a home in town due to the fact that there are less barriers between the wind and your home. In this case, wind damage roof repair is less likely to be a long-term solution. If you live in an area that gets significant snowfall every winter, repairing a leak rather than replacing the roof may cause you to have to repair the same leak multiple times.
When considering repair vs. replacement, here are a few factors to consider:
- Is your home in the country or in town?
- Do you live in an area that typically gets heavy snowfall?
- When was the last time your roof was replaced?
- Do you have 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles, or metal?
These questions can help provide the answer to whether your roof should be repaired or replaced.
How Insurance Plays Into The Equation
Beyond the material itself, several local and environmental conditions directly impact the real-world life of your roof in Northern Indiana. Ignoring these can shave years off your roof’s expected life.
1. Weather Impact on Roof Lifespan
Many homeowners don’t fully understand what is needed to file a successful insurance claim. A tree doesn’t necessarily need to fall through your roof for damage to be covered. On the other hand, most insurance carriers won’t approve a full replacement for one missing shingle. So, how can you know whether a claim should be filed? Below are two common situations in which an insurance claim may make sense for you.
Damage On Multiple Slopes:
If you notice that there are missing shingles, hail hits, or some other form of damage on multiple slopes of your roof, this may be a good time to file a claim. Due to the fact that multiple facets of the roof are damaged, insurance is likely to cover replacement to protect the rest of your home.
Discontinued Products + Damage:
Many homeowners don’t realize this, but there are thousands of roofs in northern Indiana that are covered by discontinued products. If your roof has one or more of these products and significant damage, filing a claim may make sense. Not sure if your roof has discontinued products? We can help you identify products that are discontinued.
The Importance Of Professional Inspection
A professional inspection of your roof is extremely helpful when trying to identify damage. Standing on the ground or walking on a roof and looking at it will show visible damage, but there are often damages hidden below the surface that are difficult to identify. A skilled inspector will be able to help you identify these and provide a recommendation on what to do next.
Professional inspectors are also well versed in state code requirements, manufacturer installation guidelines, and product information. They will be able to tell you whether your roof has been installed correctly, what products are currently in place, and whether they are discontinued.
An effective roof inspection can help identify damage and installation issues, but it can also provide peace of mind when your roof is in good shape or just needs a small repair. This can help you solve the problem and save you money by avoiding an unnecessary roof replacement.
How We Help
We are northern Indiana’s top-rated roof replacement contractor. Specializing in storm damage roof replacement, hail damage roof replacement, and wind damage roof replacement, we are here to help you.
As mentioned above, we offer free, no-obligation roof inspections for northern Indiana homeowners. During these inspections, we’ll find out the issue you’re experiencing, inspect the roof and all products, and provide you with a report of our findings. If your roof needs repaired or replaced, we can provide next steps. If your roof is in great shape, we’ll let you know that too, providing you with peace of mind.
For homes that have experienced significant enough storm damage, we also have a team of in house Insurance Specialists that can help you navigate the claims process and make sure that you get the full coverage afforded to you with your insurance policy. As one of the top storm damage repair contractors in northern Indiana, you can depend on us to handle your project effectively from start to finish.
If you want a free, no-obligation roof inspection, we’re here to help! Please call us at (574) 551-7663 or contact us here to get started with your free inspection. We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!
