How to know if you need a roof repair or replacement

During your annual roof check (yes, you should be getting your roof checked twice a year!), your roofers in Sunderland will be checking for signs that your roof needs repairs or needs to be replaced. Sometimes, it can be hard to know whether or not you should make a repair or opt for a total replacement. Usually, your roofer will advise you on this situation, but just in case you want some different advice, check out these helpful tips.

The age of your roof

The first thing anyone should consider when deciding whether or not to repair or replace a roof, is the age of your roof. If you’re not sure about this, your roofing contractor should be able to tell you how much life your roof has left on it. If your roof runs into problems and it’s relatively young the best course of action would be to make the repair. If your roof is older and nearing the end of its lifecycle, the best route would more likely be to replace the existing roof, rather than continue to spend money repairing a roof that will need to be replaced soon anyway.

How long do you plan to stay in your home?

If you plan to stay in your home for a while, or your roof is anywhere between 15 and 20 years old, you should definitely get a roofing team out to inspect it quickly. As you plan to stay in the home for a few years, it is worth getting the roof replaced if you find several problems. Moreover, it is also worth getting the roof replaced if you notice signs of damage to the roof as you are preparing to move away. A house that has a brand new roof will increase in value and sell easier than a home with a damaged roof, that the new owners will need to invest money in.

What’s your repair budget?

Having your roof repaired will always be more cost effective than having a replacement. Repairs can extend the life of your old roof, especially if a replacement just isn’t financially viable for you right now. Having a roof repair, instead of letting the problem fester will save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, as well as being more affordable at short notice.

Is the damage structural?

In most scenarios, you can get away with a repair to your roof, in order to expand the roof’s lifecycle and keep it safe. However, if the damage to your roof is structural, you will almost certainly need to opt for a replacement over a repair. An issue such as roof sagging, serious leaking and objects falling through the roof, will definitely require a replacement, rather than a repair.

Whether you choose to opt for a repair or a replacement, always be sure to hire a trusted roofing professional to carry out the task for you. Roofing is not a DIY job and cannot be treated as such. You will certainly find that you will spend more money hiring a roofer to fix a botched DIY repair job, than you will hiring a professional in the first place!