If your roof has sustained damage, you might wonder if you can repair it or should it be replaced. It’s important to know the correct answer. It is certainly more expensive to replace your roof. But it’s not as expensive as repairing a roof which actually needs to be replaced.

If you have seen some leaks, shingles that are dislodged or torn or other signs of damage, you need to decide. Some of these are simple repairs. However, others may find the time is nearing where it would be wise to consider an entire replacement.

Know Your Roof

Ultimately you will need to find a reliable contractor whose recommendation you can trust. But before you do that, it would be wise to inspect your roof. While you may not have the eye of a trained contractor, you can get a general idea of the condition and severity of the damage. This will make it easier to find the right contractor and have an informed conversation with him.

How Old is Your Roof?

One major factor in determining if you should replace your roof is its age. This should weigh heavily into your decision. In Florida, asphalt shingle roofs need to be replaced every 10 years in order to keep your homeowners insurance policy. If your roof is approaching that deadline, it might be more cost efficient to replace the entire roof now.

Here are some tips so you can have an informed conversation with your roofer.

When Repairing is Good Enough

Luckily there are several cases in which it is enough to simply repair whatever damage is done. Here are a few examples. If:

• There is damage to a single or a few specific shingles.
• The damage is in one area of the roof. Replace that section and will save you thousands of dollars.
• The roof is leaking, usually an inspection and repair will suffice.

Check to see if shingles are covered in moss or algae. Replace these shingles for cosmetic reasons. Continue to check if your metal flashing is rusting, and if you see signs of rust on a metal roof, be sure to contact your roofer for inspection.

The challenge with repairing is getting shingles that don’t match. Mismatched shingles will certainly keep the water out of your house. But aesthetically, it may prohibit you from attracting a buyer if you are going to sell your house in the next few years.

When You Need to Replace

As a general rule of thumb, if your roof is beginning to show problems or is nearing the 10 year mark, you probably should plan to replace.

• Burling or curling shingles are a main sign that the shingles are past their prime. If new shingles are burling or curling they are defective.
• Major leaks with serious interior indications of damage
• Rust on flashing
• Worn around chimney
• Piles of grit from asphalt tiles
• Sagging roof deck

There are a few things you should check as you inspect the health of your roof:

• Roof valleys: these are important as snow and rain flow through valleys into gutters.
• Shingle tabs are intact or that entire shingles themselves are not missing or cracked.
• Attic: if there is daylight coming through the boards this is a clear sign you should replace the roof.

General Roof Maintenance Tips

In addition, a sagging roof is a structural problem and should be taken care of when noticed. This will prevent more issues down the road. Next chance you get, check if your chimney flashing is made of roof cement or tar. It might be time to replace it with a new metal flashing system. If you see shingle granules in the gutters, take note. Roofing materials lose more when they are at the last stages of their life.

Before you make any big decisions about your roof, schedule an inspection with a professional roofing contractor. Call All Weather Tite, expert certified and insured roofers dedicated to servicing Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood, Venice, Boca Grande and surrounding areas in Southwest Florida.