Roofs undergo maximum stress while withstanding the weather, and it is natural that wear and tear sets in with time, which shows up in various forms of roof damage. Poor roof maintenance often hastens the damages that become a worrisome matter for homeowners. Whenever the signs of damage become visible even in the smallest form, homeowners must act quickly to repair it to ensure that the roof lasts its life. Usually, roof restoration techniques can take care of the problems, but if the damages are too big and beyond repair, it will necessitate roof replacement. If you want roof replacement in Long Island then you can go for premier long Island roofing contractor. Roof restoration injects new life into roofs that look new once again, but only an expert in roofing Salt Lake City can tell you correctly, which would be right for you after assessing the extent of the damage.
Replace or restore?
Not the damages alone, but some other factors, too, come into play when choosing between roof restoration and roof replacement. The type of roof might often limit the restoration options as it happens with tile roofs for which repair is usually not a viable solution. Another factor is how long you want to stay at the house, which could justify the investment. Since roof replacement is costly, if you plan to sell the house after a few years, then it is better to go for short term restoration. Roof replacement gives you a new roof with a warranty and the opportunity to upgrade the roofing material. For example, if you have asphalt shingles roofing, you can think about replacing it with terracotta roofing tiles, which despite being costly, comes with an extended warranty of 50 years that fully assures the return on investment.
Long term or short-term goal?
Roof restoration provides both long term and short-term remedy from roof damages, and the extent of damages determines how long the repairing will last. Roof restoration helps to give a quick makeover to roofs without spending too much money. However, its longevity will be much less than that of a new roof. The warranties for restoration usually last for 5-8 years, depending on the nature of damages and the quality of work done. Sometimes, the repairing is so good that it can make the roof last its entire life. But the condition of roofs determines whether restoration can work because if the damage is extensive, replacement would be the only option.
Look for professional guidance
Since the decision of roof replacement or roof restoration is a significant one, you must consult the experts who have experience in roofing work. Your knowledge about how hard the roof has been hit while protecting the home should also contribute to making the right choice. Looking at the signs of damage should help to make a preliminary assessment about how deep it has set in, but it would require a thorough inspection of the roof along with the building to determine the extent of the damage. Roof experts can detect the signs of damage and even understand its impact on the roof, in the long run, to advise homeowners what would be the best thing to do.
View it from inside
To detect if there has been any roof damage, look up the attic or roof cavity to see from close quarters whether there is any damage not only to the roof but also the adjoining walls. If you see dark spots, it shows that water has found its way through the roof surface. Look at the roof to see if you can see the light passing through at any place, which indicates that there are cracks in the roof. If there are only one or two spots that are not very prominent, then repairing can set things right. However, if there are several patches and some are dark and big, it shows that the damage has set in deep, and roof replacement is the only remedy.
What you see from outside
Walking on the roof, even if it is a sloped roof, is the best way to scrutinize roofs and detect damages. Here are some signs that should help to interpret the possible damage that can happen from it.
- If you observe that the roof material is wearing out around vents, chimneys, and pipes, then it shows that the roof material is deteriorating and needs urgent attention.
- The roof valleys undergo the most wear and tear, and you must minutely inspect the area to detect signs of damage.
- It is common for asphalt shingles to curl with time, and sometimes it can even wear out. Accumulation of black and shiny particles in the gutters means that the shingles are wearing out and need replacement.
- Signs of roof damage also show up in the gutters and downpipes.
How old is the roof?
Aging of a roof can lead to roof replacement, especially if the roof reaches near the end of its life. If a roof lasts for 20-25 years on an average, then as soon as it reaches 12-13 years, it would become necessary to repair damages. For poorly maintained roofs, this can happen earlier. As the age of roof progresses, the incidents of roof repairing also go up. Roof restoration helps to address several issues arising from roof damages that vanish in a single stroke, and it is quite cost-effective. However, if any roof has covered 80-90% of its life, it is time to prepare for replacing it.
Corrosion
If you see signs of corrosion around the metal fasteners and fittings, it is a sign of water damage. Look at the gutters and other places of the roof where metals are used that are prone to corrosion and assess the nature of the damage. Paint flaking and timber rotting are signs that the damage has set in deep.
Replacing the damaged fasteners can solve the problem, but if it recurs, then take help from the roof experts about the future course of action.
Roof sagging is major damage that shows a weakening of the roof structure, and only a thorough inspection can reveal how much time would be available to replace the roof.
