Roof Replacement vs Repair: What’s the Smart Choice?
The tell-tale wet spot on your ceiling – or dreaded water drips when it rains – whatever the warning signs, a roof leak is a serious problem. You know you can’t wait to fix it, but is it better to have the leaks repaired or the roof outright replaced? Deciding between roof replacement vs repair is a tough choice –that’s why we’re breaking down the pros and cons of each option in today’s blog.
At Mid-Shore Exteriors, we’re a Maryland roofer that can fix your roof leaks or install a brand new roof on your home. We don’t just care about offering industry-best roofing service, but we also want to ensure our customers always have enough information to make the right decision. Keep reading to learn more about roof replacement vs repair and how to make the right decision – or reach out right now to get quotes!
Benefits of a New Roof & Reasons to Skip Repair
While our team is skilled at and happy to perform all types of roof repairs, we want to be upfront that in many cases, opting for full replacement is the better option. Firstly, there are several key benefits of a new roof that can make a huge difference for homeowners. In addition, there are some roofs that simply aren’t a candidate for repair (because of age or damage), and any roofer who says otherwise just wants your money. Of course, there are cases when a small repair is the right call and will save you serious money – so we’re breaking down all of these cases!
Let’s start with the positives – these are the benefits of a new roof that make it worth the investment:
Benefits of a new roof (vs. just a repair) :
- Full Peace-of-Mind – If your roof is leaking because of its age, it is very likely that even if we fix the one leak, more will follow. Having a new roof means you don’t have to worry about roof leaks for decades. That peace-of-mind can be essential.
- Warranty – Any quality new roof will come backed by a strong warranty. Our best roofing warranty provides 50 years of non-prorated protection that includes the roofing system (not just the shingles) and a 25 year workmanship warranty backed by the manufacturer. Even better, the warranty is transferable which can actually add to your home value should you decide to sell.
- Better Use of Your Money – On an older roof, a repair is just a temporary fix that delays the inevitable. In many cases you’re paying handsomely just to buy yourself another year or so. On average, a new roof will cost $10,000, while an extensive roof repair will cost around $2,000. The financial aspect is a key point when deciding on roof repair vs replacement, and our team is more than happy to talk price specifics with you.
- Superior Curb Appeal – This cosmetic benefit of a new roof can be a decision-maker for some homeowners. Firstly, new shingles come in more gorgeous colors than ever and can dramatically improve the look of your house. However, if you opt for a repair, it is very likely the patched shingles will look different. Not only do shingle manufacturers change the color blends over the years, but the other shingles on your roof will have weathered over time and changed colors a bit, which can make matching them next to impossible.
Cases Where Repair Is the Right Call
While there are ample new roof benefits that can make a real difference for homeowners, in some cases repair is the smart call. For newer roofs that just have a small problem, there’s no need to invest in a new roof yet. These are the situations when our team recommends repair:
Signs a roof repair is the best solution:
- A Few Shingles Blew Off – If your roof is fairly new but a gust of wind knocked off a few shingles, this should be fixed with a repair.
- Chimney Leak or Attic Fan Leak – If the seal around your chimney or attic are the only things leaking and the roof is fairly new, they can be easily addressed with a repair.
- Skylight Leaks – A leak isolated to your skylight doesn’t mean you need a new roof, it just means you need a new skylight. We can do this repair quickly and easily.
Reasons We Can’t Repair Your Roof
Depending on the condition of the roof or its age, repair just is not a viable option. If any of these are the case, your roof likely is not a candidate for repair:
Reasons we can’t repair your roof :
- If Your Roof is Extremely Old – This is an important point when deciding between roof replacement vs repair. If your roof is 18 to 20 years old, we strongly recommend opting for replacement. At that age, the shingles on your roof have likely lost all of their weatherproof granules and have become brittle or weak. In this case, roof repair just is not a fair option since your roof is likely at the end of its life. Only very specifically designed shingles can last for 50+ years!
- If Your Roof Uses 3-Tab Shingles – 3-tab shingles were once a very popular building material for new homes due to their generally lower installation cost. However, these shingles are less effective than true architectural asphalt shingles. If your roof has 3-tab shingles and is leaking, we often recommend upgrading your roof instead of repairing it.
- If Your Roof Suffered Extreme Storm Damage – High winds, hail, and other effects of storms can cause serious damage to the shingles and structure of a roof. In these cases, it is often best to install a brand new roof. The one upside here is that your homeowners’ insurance may be able to help out financially. Get more information on filing a roof repair insurance claim.
- If Your Roof Was Installed Improperly – It’s unfortunate, but occasionally we will find roofs that have serious issues resulting from a faulty installation. In these cases, we recommend starting right with a correctly installed roof, rather than trying to correct damage that was built-in.
Roof Replacement vs Repair & Get Quotes
There’s no question that the benefits of a new roof make a compelling case for a fresh installation. Of course, opting for a repair to limit that upfront cost can sometimes be a great choice as well. Deciding between roof replacement vs repair comes down to your specific roof and your budget. Our experts can help give you the honest advice you need – and give you quotes for repairs and replacement!
Reach out to the Mid-Shore Exteriors team to get started!
