Choosing to replace your roof is a big decision that can be daunting for many homeowners. The whole process is hectic, cumbersome, and costly. This means you have to bring in a qualified and licensed roofing professional to conduct a roof inspection. Afterward, you’ll have to analyze the roof’s condition and identify the damaged areas and underlying roof issues.
The need to replace your roof isn’t a flashy trend you copy from your neighbors across the street. Rather, it’s a conscious choice you make once your roof begins to disintegrate. So, the question of how often you should replace your roof is somewhat subjective. And while there’s no definite answer, we’ve tried to answer this question in detail below.
When Should You Replace Your Roof?
Ideally, you should replace your roof once it begins to show signs such as roof leaks, mold growth, rotting roof deck, etc. But the truth is, waiting until you see these signs means you are risking further damage. This translates to costly repairs before replacing the roof. To avoid such, you want to inspect your roof regularly, especially after long rains or storms. Scheduling a professional roof inspection from Frisco Roofing once in a while is also recommended.
After inspecting your roof and noticed some roofing issues, you should bring in a competent roofing company. The company will do a thorough roof inspection and advice on the best way forward. Even then, it’s easy to maneuver around and go for a quick roof repair, then postpone a roof replacement to a later day, month, or year.
The cost of roofing materials and the labor cost of tearing off the old roof then fixing a new one forces many people to take shortcuts. The problem with these shortcuts is that they only fix the signs, not the root causes of the problem. Even worse, these shortcuts may introduce new and bigger problems. For instance, going DIY with no roofing skills can lead to a damaged roof deck. Or, you can damage the new roofing materials, and since you aren’t licensed or insured, your warranty claim may be denied.
Roof Replacement Tips
Your roof is an integral part of your home, and before you decide to replace it, you want to proceed with caution. Every time you think of replacing your roof, you want to think of it as an investment that will pay off in the future. So you should be willing to make some sacrifices now to reap the rewards, years or decades down the line. Here are some roof replacement tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t take shortcuts – get a trained, licensed, and insured roofing company to do the job. Let the company advise you on the best roofing material, renovation, and repairs to make. This will ensure a high-quality roofing installation.
- Do Your Research – seek basic knowledge on the choice of roofing materials and even the roofing procedures. You may also want to compare the roofing cost or get roofing estimates from different contractors before making up your mind.
- Be part of the process – try to get involved in the roof replacement process. This doesn’t mean you should join the technicians on top of the roof. You can take part in the simplest ways possible. For instance, informing your neighbors of the renovation work or documenting the roofing procedure, etc. The idea is to take part so you can appreciate the process and learn. This will guide and motivate you to take care of the roof once it’s installed.
Choosing a Roofing Contractor
When it comes to roof maintenance, there’s no specified period when you should replace the roof. The need to renovate a roof depends on several factors, one being its current condition. So if your roof is two decades old but it’s still functional and attractive, you don’t necessarily need to replace it.
That said, a regular roof inspection will help identify roof issues early enough before they cause further damage. Here, you want to go for a competent roofing company with a proven track record.
Besides looking at the company’s level of experience, you also want to check their market reputation. Does the company guarantee customer satisfaction? Are their roofing services insured? How do they handle new customers, and what do past clients say about the company?
Give Your Roof a New Look Today
Once it’s time to renovate your roof, it’s wise not to procrastinate any longer. Instead, you need to get your priorities right and choose the right roofing contractor to fix your roof. And while you may have other options such as re-roofing, you want to consider the long-term implications of your decisions.
If re-roofing will still cost you more time and money in the next five years, then maybe a roof replacement will be a better alternative. Even so, your roofing contractor’s advice will go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones under a robust and safe roof.
