{"id":1619,"date":"2022-01-06T12:43:56","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T12:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1619"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:08:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:08:37","slug":"when-should-you-re-roof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/when-should-you-re-roof\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should You Re-roof?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The roof of your house is one of its most important features as it protects the entire structure and home below from damage caused by adverse weather conditions and other such occurrences. Proper maintenance of your roof is of paramount importance, and it will ensure the longevity of the entire home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your roof is damaged or worn for any reason, it’s important that action is taken timeously to avoid further damage. Re-roofing becomes necessary whenever there are visible signs of damage to the roof’s surface, and the damage is beyond the scope of a simple repair.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every roofing material lasts for a different length of time, and each has different maintenance requirements. Different roof materials will show wear in different ways, and each will have a different way of showing you that it needs to be replaced or repaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The need to re-roof is based on the condition of the roofing material in its current state and whether the roof is beyond the point of repairing or not. This is why it\u2019s important to have your roof inspected by a professional around twice a year to ensure that any issues are dealt with timeously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If, for example, your shingles are starting to blow off the roof under normal weather conditions (as opposed to when usually expected, such as during storms, etc.), then this is a sure sign that there is a need for re-roofing or replacement of the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several things to check regarding the condition of your roof. These will help you establish the severity of the need for repair or replacement. If the shingles are curling or lifting off the surface below, this means that they are drying out significantly and require intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a granule coating on shingles that will help determine the roof’s overall condition. Loss of the granules indicates the age of the shingles, and any patches on the shingles where no granules are visible will ultimately result in drying and splitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By checking the gutters, you will also see if there are large amounts of granules that have come off the shingles. The granules will accumulate here and will be a sure indicator that your roof needs assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While some might think that re-roofing is the same as replacing the roof altogether, there is a substantial difference between the two concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Re-roofing involves the installation of new shingles over the old, existing shingles. This can be done, according to regulations, if there is only one layer of existing shingles on the roof and as long as none of the shingles are lifting off the roof or curling at the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also possible to install a metal roof over an existing shingle roof, which is also considered re-roofing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Re-roofing has a shorter lifespan than roof replacement. This is because the old shingles underneath will naturally not be as good a surface as the timber sheathing underneath the shingles. The lifespan with re-roofing is often 20% to 40% shorter than it would be if you replaced the entire roof’s surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old shingles make for an uneven surface as opposed to the flat surface provided by the plywood sheathing. So it can make it easier for the new shingles to blow off or become dislodged. Any bends in the old shingles below can potentially cause cracks in the new shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefit of the new shingles over the old is that they will cover up any small holes or weak spots in the original shingles below. However, they will naturally not be able to repair any structural issues or other problems with the existing roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Re-roofing is a good option when your current roof has some issues but will still be able to last for a few more years. One must consider the fact that while the initial cost of re-roofing will be significantly lower than that associated with replacing the roof, replacement will still be inevitable in the long run, potentially creating a higher total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your roof is in good condition and has been subject to proper maintenance over the years, re-roofing may be a viable option. The additional layer will protect the roof and add strength to the existing roof surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This option is significantly cheaper and quicker than a full roof replacement and will ensure that your roof continues to do its job for several years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the roof is in bad condition, replacement is the better option. This is because re-roofing over a damaged roof will create a very short-term fix that will require a full roof replacement before long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A roof in bad condition may also be in need of additional repairs below the surface of the shingles, and this will naturally not be visible when opting for re-roofing. Resultantly, a full roof replacement will most likely save you significant amounts of money in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not removing the shingles, you will eliminate your chance to check the plywood sheathing for damage, and you may not be able to find the source of a leak without removing the shingles. Re-roofing also inhibits your ability to upgrade the flashing or ensure that the shingles are installed completely flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is all determined by the current state of the roof, and it\u2019s best to have this checked by a roofing contractor before making your decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Should You Re-roof?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Re-roofing Vs. Roof Replacement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n