How To Determine Whether To Replace Or Repair Your Roof

Several construction workers on a roof work to repair and replace the shingles of a roof

Replace or Repair Your Roof?

The decision to repair or replace your roof depends on the cost of fixing the damage versus replacing the entire roof. If your roof is only suffering from minor problems, then repairing it may be more affordable than if there is a leak in your home. However, you can’t just determine this by looking at one part of your roof. You need to consider all of the factors that contribute to its condition and decide what would be most beneficial for you. We have put together an article with more information about how to look for signs of damage in different parts of a home’s roof so that you can start making a plan for repairs or replacement!

 When to Replace or Repair a Roof

Have a professional check for signs your roof needs repair or signs that the roof needs replacing. For instance, if there is a hole in the roof where rainwater can get into your house, then you may need to replace the entire roof. On the other hand, if there are minor damages like dents or cracks in your roof, repairing it will be much more affordable.

 Repairing Your Roof

a photo showing signs that roof needs replacing

When fixing your roof, remember that roofs usually last about 20 years or so. However, if you have a flat (eave) tile roof, you may have to patch around chimneys and vents every year. The same goes for concrete tile roofs–you should check them every year. Also, keep in mind that asphalt shingles typically last for 15-20 years.

Signs Your Roof Needs Repair:

If shingles are missing from your roof- you should replace the ones that are separated from the roof’s surface to prevent water leaks. One or two shingles missing isn’t a big deal, but it is time to call a roofer to replace them if you find over ten damaged or missing shingles. You may also want to check for loose nails that would need to be tightened or sealed with roofing cement.

Damaged valleys are another problem that can lead to water leaks into your home. For this problem, you can use either a metal vent flashing or self-adhesive felt paper.

 Replace Your Roof

When replacing your roof, you should make sure that you choose a type of roof that will withstand the elements to last for many years to come. If the roof material is allowed to deteriorate, it won’t be able to keep up with the job. Also, when purchasing a new roof, you will be able to choose between different types: metal, fiberglass, and slate (also called clay tile). Slate roofs are thus expensive, but they last for several decades and are very well-suited for California’s harsh weather conditions. Some other materials used in replacing roofs are wood or PVC. Signs that roof needs replacing include water leaks, broken tiles, excess algae (from sun exposure), missing or cracked tiles, fungi such as mold and mildew, or if you’ve had to patch your roof more than once in the last ten years.

 What to Look For and How to Tell

When you are looking for signs of what parts of your roof need replacing, you must pay attention to the different parts of your home. You don’t want to repair a part that was damaged in another part. For instance: if there is a leak in the gutter and water is pouring into your basement, you need to fix this leak before repairing anything else.

 Doors and Windows

Check for watermarks on your walls from seeping or leaking roof water. These marks can often be seen on the outside, but you will have to take a look at the inside of your home as well. Water damages are usually caused by overwatering, so check with your neighbors and make sure that there aren’t any leaks in their homes either. Also, make sure that there is no water in your basement at all. If there is, it means that your roof has some leaks, and you will have to look for a leaky gutter or a damaged shingle.

Gutters and Downspouts (downpipes)

If the water from a certain part of the roof ends up on another part of the property, it is time to call a professional. When rainwater drains from your roof into your house, it can cause damage. Also, it might need to be fixed if a downspout doesn’t move water effectively into the gutters or downspouts.

 The Roof of Your Homea photo showing when to repair or replace roof

If there are leaks, you may see water stains on your attic floor or walls from the roof. Another good clue is the “wet spot” on your ceiling that appears after a rainfall. Check for a possible leak by lifting part of the roof and looking for wet spots or stains. If there are some, then you will need to replace your entire roof.

If you don’t see any of the signs mentioned above, you can still look for certain things that may indicate a problem with your roof. These include broken tiles or missing shingles and valleys. If one of your shingles has been damaged, the damage will need to be fixed before anything else can be done. If a shingle has been torn off, it means that there is something wrong with your roof’s underlayment. This problem will need to be corrected first before any other parts of the roof can be repaired. If you were to try to replace the shingles on a bad roof, they would very likely develop problems later on as well.

A broken tile is similar to a missing one since both of them will affect the integrity of your roof. First, a broken or cracked tile needs to be replaced; otherwise, water may get inside and cause other problems. A good way of determining whether a tile should be replaced or not is by tapping it with your finger. If it sounds hollow, then you should consider a replacement. Next, look for tiles that have started to crack or are missing. They will need to be replaced since they are no longer safe.

Another sign of damage is a valley that either has gaps or seems to be damaged. A valley should not be too short (under 6 inches) or bulging outwards (over 3 inches). If you find a valley that you feel is unsafe, then it is time to call a professional. Using self-adhesive felt paper, metal vent flashing, and/or cement, you can patch up your valleys so that water does not get in by using self-adhesive felt paper, metal vent flashing, and/or cement. These three things can help seal your valleys and prevent damage from happening again.

SWAT Roofing Fort Worth is a licensed and certified roofing company in Fort Worth, Texas, providing complete roof repairs, hail damage repair, new roof installation, free inspections, and more in DFW. Our team of expert roofing contractors has decades of combined experience, working on all types of roofs.Upon request, we will come to your property and perform a free inspection – no strings attached! Whether you need a roof repair for simple wear and tear, or are dealing with major damage from a windstorm, or hailstorm, we have you covered. Protect your investment. Contact the best roofing company in Fort Worth, Texas: