The roof of your home is an essential component of your external structure. Your roof is the first line of defense against harsh weather conditions. Your home exterior must be strong and weatherproof in order to withstand heavy rain, winds, and storms.
Unfortunately, it is the outside of your home that suffers the most on such an occasion. It is imperative to have a roof that is properly constructed and maintained in order to protect your house interior and prevent severe damage. Despite this, roof maintenance isn’t always the first thing on a homeowner’s mind; partially because when we think of outdoor maintenance work we often focus on the things we can see. Thus, homeowners often prioritize garden and vehicle maintenance before thinking about checking out their roof.
However, the roof is a central component of your entire home, and damage to it can spread to other areas. Therefore, any homeowners who have had their roof for a number of years should check its condition immediately. A consistent and thorough roof maintenance routine will help to prevent small roof issues from turning into bigger ones, and will also give you peace of mind with regards to the external stability of your housing structure.
Roof Maintenance
Roof maintenance involves a number of steps. These include carrying out roof inspections: you might want to hire a professional for this. Look out for any signs of a damaged roof like cracked, missing, or rusted roof parts (missing shingles, rusted metal) depending on your style of roof. You should also check to see if there is any mold or algae growth. These are signs that your roof either needs repair, restoration or replacement. The question is: how do you decide?
Restoration or Replacement Tips
As a cautious homeowner, it is important to follow tips on whether you should have your roof replaced completely or simply restored. Here are some guidelines which will help you come to a decision:
First, it’s easy to know when your roof just needs minor repair. If only one small area has minor damage, repair is the best option as it is the least expensive and inconvenient. Minor damage is something like one or two shingles that are cracked or missing.
Roof Restoration
Roof restoration is a step further than general repair, as it involves completely replacing an entire roof section. This is the best option when a certain area of the room has undergone severe damage; not just minor damage that can be fixed with a quick repair job. However, most of the roof is still well-maintained and in good condition, so replacement is unnecessary.
Advantages of Roof Restoration
There are three significant advantages to having your roof restored as opposed to replaced: efficiency, cost, and achieving a new roof look (to a certain extent).
Roof restoration allows specific problems to be addressed. This allows the roof to be improved in an efficient manner. Restoring a roof gives you the same peace of mind as replacing one, and the results are more immediate.
Roof restoration is also cheaper than replacing the entire roof. Restoration projects are usually more to do with strengthening or patching up weakened areas, while replacement is more invasive and can be a hindrance to the comfort of your home while its being done. It involves less labor and materials, so ends up costing a lot less.
Finally, having a roof restored allows you to enjoy the look and feel of a new roof without having to replace it. This is especially true if you have the roof repainted and recoated after the restoration project has been completed.
Roof Replacement
Finally, roof replacement is the most extensive form of repair, as it means that you’re essentially demolishing your entire roof and replacing it with an entirely new one. If your roof is really old, and you notice it is in poor overall condition from years of weathering storms, it may be time to arrange to have your roof replaced.
Advantages of Roof Replacement
There are three main reasons for having your roof replaced: curb appeal, longevity, and options for customization. A new roof instantly adds value and aesthetic appeal to your home while also making its structure more stable. In terms of investment, a recently replaced roof is an excellent addition to your house if you decide to sell.
A new roof also means that you can choose whatever roof you want. Maybe you didn’t like the roof you had before, and always hated looking at it. Replacing the entire thing allows you to indulge your creativity while also making wise decisions with regards to the strength and durability of the materials you choose.
Finally, a replaced roof will last longer than a restored one. This is perfect for people who intend to live out their days in the same house: once this project is complete, it probably won’t need done again throughout your entire lifetime.
Best Time to Get Your Roof Fixed
The best time to get your roof fixed; whether you’re having it restored or replaced entirely, is before winter hits. This is because you will inevitably save a lot of money and stress by addressing the problem before the harsh winter weather potentially makes things much worse. Moreover, having your roof done just before winter improves your home’s insulation. Roofs that need repair can often lead to cold air and the elements penetrating the interior of your home, so sometimes you shouldn’t wait until warmer weather arrives to have it done. Additionally, snow can severely damage your roof, so if you live in an area that’s likely to have a lot of snowfall, try to tackle the problem before the weather changes.
Decision Time
Now that you’ve assessed some tips on whether you should opt for roof restoration or replacement, hopefully you are well-equipped to make a sound decision. It is any homeowner’s nightmare to have a roof collapse. A collapsed roof is a disaster you want to avoid by checking its condition regularly.