Deciding whether to repair or replace your roofing in Needham is tricky decision for many homeowners, especially if the problem doesn’t seem to be very big. But it’s important to make the right decision when the time comes to ensure you are protecting the underlying structure of the home and to save you from having to do more work sooner rather than later. Here’s what you need to know about repairing versus replacing your roofing in Needham.
Replacement Isn’t Always Needed
The good news is that more than half of the roofs we inspect don’t need to be replaced! So if you’ve been holding off on getting your roofing inspected for fear that you’ll need to replace the entire thing, don’t delay. Contacting GF Sprague’s roofing contractors in Needham as soon as you notice a problem is the best way to keep the problem from getting bigger and possibly requiring full replacement. The best part is, aside from saving thousands of dollars on replacement costs, a repair works just fine.
Common Roofing Problems That Can Be Repaired
Some of the most common problems that roofing contractors in Needham get calls on are for damaged shingles or leaks in the roof. In the vast majority of cases, these problems can be fixed without requiring a full roof replacement.
- Problems with shingles. Massachusetts weather is tough on roofs! With strong winds, heavy snows and baking sun, it’s inevitable that you’ll have a shingle problem at some point. Don’t let this scare you, but also don’t put off getting it fixed. Moisture has a sneaky habit of getting into places it doesn’t belong and a damaged shingle is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Shingles that have been blown off, torn or damaged can be easily replaced.
- Leaks. If your roof looks good but you’ve got a leak, chances are it’s the flashing. The good news is, this means your roof is holding up well. The bad news is, finding out where that leak is coming from can be tricky. Water has a tendency to travel – sometimes quite far from the point at which it came in. Roofing companies in Needham know the typical entry points for water and where flashing is most likely to fail, which makes them experts at finding the water’s point of entry. Once the location is identified, it becomes a matter of replacing or repairing the flashing.
- Re-roofing. Say a big tree limb has fallen on half of your house. You may be able to get away with replacing only the damaged half of the roof. This is a big money saver over replacing the entire thing and it blends well with the existing roof.
When It’s Time To Call Roofing Contractors In Needham For Replacement
Sometimes, replacing a roof is inevitable. Common situations in which roofs should be replaced are when they’re nearing the end of their expected lifespan or if they’re constantly requiring repairs.
Old roofing. The typical lifespan of a new roof is 20 years. If you’re approaching the two-decade mark and you notice the roof needs some work, you’re usually better off replacing the whole thing. By the time a roof is this old, the shingles will be wearing out, which leads to problems with moisture accumulation underneath that can damage the wooden framing of the home.
You’re constantly making repairs. If you’re heading outside with a hammer and shingles every time there’s a storm, something is wrong with your roof. Although it may seem like more of a minor inconvenience than anything else, making repairs this often means your roof isn’t holding up to the elements and you’re probably best off getting a whole new one. A new roof will allow you to use the newest materials – believe it or not roofing technology has changed a lot in 20 years! You can choose shingles that are best suited for your weather conditions and you’ll have fresh adhesive holding them in place.
If you’re doing a partial re-roofing. Even though the house may not need a complete new roof, if you’re already doing part of it, you might want to consider extending that to the whole thing. This is especially true if you’re replacing a large section of the roof or if it is approaching that 20 year mark. The cost per square foot will be cheaper to do the entire thing at once than to do a partial repair, and then you can forget about it for another 20 years.
If you need more help deciding whether repair or replacement is right for your roof, give GF Sprague a call. We offer free, no-obligation, on-site inspections and analyses and will provide you with a written recommendation for repair or replacement.
