The Downside of Roof Repairs
Most residential roofs in the Pacific Northwest region are replaced every 17 to 22 years. Rain, debris, moss, algae, and high winds take their toll on the life of various roof materials which can lead to damaged shingles, water stains, leaks, and more. Leaks, penetrations, and other issues with your roof may often seem minimal at first but can be a sign of much larger problems. Taking immediate action to remedy a leak or other damage is essential to preventing additional damage to your roof and home. Many homeowners simply opt for the lower upfront cost of a local roof repair when a leak or damage occurs. However, local roof repairs are often a band-aid type solution offering only temporary relief which can result in additional costs, repairs, and even failures. To help guide you in the event that your roof needs the attention of a local professional residential roofing contractor, we’ve highlighted some of the major downsides of roof repairs and why Valentine Roofing recommends total roof replacement.
Materials Reached End of Life
Asphalt shingles, PVC membrane, and metal panels are all excellent roofing materials with varying life expectancies. Composite roofs typically last anywhere from 15-30 years depending on roof shingle choice, while metal roofs often last upwards of 40 years with routine annual roof maintenance and roof cleaning. Missing or dislodged shingles, streaking, and granule loss are a few telltale signs that your roof has reached the end of its life. When materials reach their latter days, they begin to provide less protection and become more prone to failure. Roof shingles specifically can crack, split, and become dislodged which can result in water intrusions and damage to the roof deck, attic, and more. Repairing your roof or replacing only certain portions of a roof, will almost certainly result in further problems later on.
Repairs Can Cost More
While the initial cost of a local roof repair is usually less expensive than a full roof replacement, roof repairs often only temporarily mend the issue. According to huberroofing.com, roof repairs can remedy damages that cover only about 30 percent or less of your roof, meaning a roof replacement is often needed to sufficiently protect a home. Your roof is a complete system, made up of many components designed to protect you from the elements, creating a seamless waterproof barrier over your home. Just like roof replacements, a roof repair requires old materials to be removed in the process exposing multiple layers of material. The process of removing, replacing, or adding roof materials only in specific areas can increase the likelihood of failure later on. With the cost of roof repairs ranging between $1,000 and $3,000 on average, it’s easy to see how quickly the cost begins to add up when multiple roof repairs are required. In some cases, the cost of repairing a roof is nearly as much as a complete roof replacement, and may only allow for a few additional years of protection. A brand-new roof not only protects you from the elements but also makes a statement, setting your home apart from the rest. A roof replacement means entirely new materials and whether you’re going with composite roofing, PVC roofing, or metal roofing- it's important to install quality roof materials such as the Duration Shingle from Owens Corning which will perform efficiently and look gorgeous on any Puget Sound home. Another major benefit of a roof replacement is that it allows for any and all roofing components to be replaced or updated, whereas a repair only allows for focusing on specific areas of the roof and home. When a roof is being replaced, it’s an excellent time to also replace a home’s gutters, attic insulation, exterior wood that may show age or damage, and more.
Repairs are Ugly
Over time, roofing materials begin to break down, age, fade, and lose vibrancy. Repairing sections or specific areas of a roof can result in an undesired mismatching of material color leaving your roof with the repaired areas looking patchy. Mixing old and new roofing materials is never ideal and generally leads to failures at those same repair points later on. A new roof accounts for 40% of your home’s curb appeal, meaning that your roof is a major factor in your home’s value and overall sellability. According to remodeling.hw.net, a Washington state homeowner will see a return on investment of about 75% on an asphalt roof replacement, making it a worthwhile investment. If you’re looking to have your roof replaced in the near future, are in need of roof repairs, or your roof is leaking now contact us at Valentine Roofing for more information about our roof replacement services as well as our Leak Stop Guarantee program.
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