When a storm arrives, you mostly worry about the electricity going out and whether you have rolled up the car windows. Unfortunately, other dangers to your home involve roof leaks, missing shingles blown off from powerful winds, and even fallen tree branches. After examining the storm damage, you must decide whether to repair the problem area or if you should get the entire roof replaced.
It’s a question that plagues a lot of homeowners in the Pocono area. If your home is in this predicament, use this simple guide to help narrow down your choices.
What is the Damage?
The type of damage will often dictate the type of roofing service you need. If you are dealing with a few blown-off shingles, and you are on a tight budget, then you may just opt to have those few shingles reattached. However, if you are concerned over the look of your roof where the new shingles don’t match the existing aged and weathered shingles, then you may get the entire roof re-shingled. Reasons to simply repair your roof are:
- Missing shingles
- Leaks around roof structures (chimneys, vents, skylights)
- Punctures and holes
- Shingle granule loss (hail damage)
- Shingle cracks, splits, or shrinkage
- Poor installation or maintenance
- Impact damage from trees or other windblown objects
- Fascia or soffit damage
Also keep in mind the extent of the problems, as extreme damage may force you to obtain roof replacement services. Sometimes you won’t know the extent of the damage just by a visual examination. Once the shingles are removed, you may discover that the roof decking or part of the framing underneath has also experienced water damage, rot, or breakage. In these instances, and for the safety of your home, roof replacement may be the more viable option.
Age of the Roof
Even with minor damage, you may find it more cost-effective to replace the roof depending on its age. When installed and maintained properly, shingles can last from 15 years up to 30 years. However, the climate, weather, ultraviolet sunlight, and sustained heat inside the attic space can degrade certain materials at a faster rate. If you have no idea how old your roof is, here are some signs that you may be dealing with an older roof where replacement options are the better choice:
- Moss on shingles
- Buckled or curled shingles
- Shingle granules missing (bald)
- Shingles are blistered
- Sagging roof
In addition, certain roofing materials have a specific product lifespan. Here at Overmyer Roofing , we have Select Shingle Master status with CertainTeed roofing products as their shingle materials can last from 30 years up to 50 years. If you have a new roof already installed, or you haven’t reached the halfway point in your roofing’s product cycle, then you may want to get roof repair service instead.
Re-Roofing Service
There are different levels of roof repair and replacement services. Understanding all your options allows you to pick the right services for your home. In addition to repairing or replacing the roof, you may opt for partial or total re-roofing services.
Re-roofing service involves placing another layer of shingles on top of the existing layer. It may be done over the entire roof, or just partially on one side. Building codes will vary depending on the municipality. Most codes will allow for two layers of shingles on the roof decking. This limit is set up to prevent the weight of the heavy materials from caving or collapsing in the roof.
While re-roofing service speeds up the process, is lower in cost, and causes less debris, there are many caveats with this route. If you are dealing with leaks or damage, re-roofing will only cover over the problems. You are not addressing them to prevent the issues from becoming worse in the future. It can also be harder to track down leaks when there are two layers of shingles on your roof.
You also may end up voiding the manufacturer’s warranty for the new shingles. Lastly, when it comes time to replace your roof, roofing companies often charge extra for the added work and cleanup of removing two layers of shingles.
There are many factors involved when getting the best roof for your home. If you are looking to repair or replace your roof, contact Overmyer Roofing to discuss possible solutions and pricing for your project.
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