Making the Call – How to Decide When to Repair or Replace a Roof

By Anna Lockhart.  

It can sometimes be a difficult choice for homeowners or business owners when looking at roof damage and wondering, “should we repair or replace?” This guide discusses both options and factors to consider for each.  

It is a universal experience of owning a home or building that eventually, the roof will take on some form of damage. From wear and deterioration over time or water damage and leaks, there comes a time in the lifecycle of a roof where the owners must decide if it is time to replace or repair the roof. Making this decision can be a tough one for some. As a contractor, it’s important to share all concerning factors and possibilities with the owners, and this guide goes over the major factors to consider.  

Current roof type  

 In order to know if restoration is possible, it is important to identify the roofing materials in the current roof and what method was used to install it. If the roof is to be repaired, similar construction methods will have to be used. Sometimes, this may help owners determine the cost and time needed to repair versus replacing and can help them decide which option best fits their financial or schedule needs.  

Warranties  

Before anyone touches the roof, it is important that the owners verify whether or not the roof has a warranty. Some warranties require that specific, authorized roofing crews replace or repair the existing roof. As not just anyone can work on such a roof, lest the warranty then becomes null and void as the terms were broken. With a warranty in effect, it is crucial that the owners and crew meet the terms and agreements before making changes to the roof.  

Age  

A factor owners should consider is the age of the existing roof. While some roofs are designed to last longer than others, depending on the material and age of the current roof, it may be wiser to forgo repairs and decide to replace if the roof is considerably older. If the owners plan to continue living in or using the building, it may be wiser to invest in a complete replacement if the roof is exceptionally older.  With a newer roof, on the other hand, it is far more cost effective to repair as much as possible since the initial investment is still fresh.  

There are many more factors contractors and owners need to consider when looking at the pros and cons of repairing a roof versus replacing one. The experts at MBCI have a complete guide of factors to consider on their website. Read their article to learn more about the choice between repair and replacement to find out which solution is best for your next project.