When it comes to your roofing in Ann Arbor Michigan, you need to always move quickly to fix any damages and avoid letting the issues become any worse. But if you want to keep your roof as healthy as possible, you need to know when to repair and when to replace your roof. Otherwise, you can end up paying for repairs that won’t do any good and expecting more damage in your home. Here are a few tips to help you make your roof last longer and stand up to the weather much better.
Times You Need to Replace Your Roof in Ann Arbor Michigan, Rather Than Repair It
Weather plays a huge role in just how long your roof will last. The more severe the weather is the more likely your roof is to fail. While we really can’t do much about the weather we can do something to ensure our roofs last a long time. The first thing you should consider is just what type of roofing you have. Higher quality roofing will last longer and withstand weather much better. You can usually determine just how much quality is present in the roofing by comparing warranties of the products. Longer warranties will typically mean better quality. If you do need to replace your roof be sure to select a roofing material with a longer warranty which tends to be better quality. But if you’re not sure about your home’s current roofing, then here are some tips to help. If you aren’t sure whether or not you need to repair or replace your roof, it is important to consider certain factors.
The Age of Your Roof
Roofs are designed to last between 20 and 30 years before they need to be replaced. The closer your roof is to the 20-year mark, the more prone to damage it will become. This is because the materials will have degraded over years of exposure to the elements and UV rays. Newer roofs can often be repairs because they still have a lot of years to go. But older roofs will end up needing more repairs than it is work.
Repairs Aren’t Doing the Job
If you are noticing frequent repairs are needed on your roof, it can also be a sign it is time to replace your roof. This is because materials may not be holding up as well as they used to and existing damage may not be taken care of properly. Leaks, water damage, mold, warping, rot and sagging can all be serious problems that may not be fully fixed with a repair. This means that the damage can return, needing more repairs later on.
To help you save money and fully eradicate the damage, you should choose to replace your roof if the repairs don’t work the first time. Otherwise, you can end up wasting money on repairs and putting off the inevitable roof replacement.
You Plan on Selling Soon
While you may not want to spend more money than necessary to get your home ready to sell, roof replacements can actually be highly beneficial. This is because roof replacements make your home more desirable to potential buyers and comes with between a 60 and 80 percent return on your investment. It also comes with increased energy efficiency, so you can expect lower monthly bills while you wait to sell.
New roofs look much better than a repaired roof, and you can take the opportunity to go with a basic black asphalt shingle to make your home more appealing to a greater number of people.
When to Repair
Roof repairs should be done when damages are minimal and the roof is less than 20 years old. Some examples are replacing shingles, repairing small leaks if caught quickly, adding features like gutters, flashings and drip edges, and switching the type of roof covering. Minor repairs are okay, but you should have an inspection done to look for any other signs of damage before committing to a repair or replacement. A professional will be able to give you a fuller picture of the situation and help you decide what you should do.
Before making a decision either way be sure to call a licensed roofing contractor for a roof inspection. At Ann Arbor Remodeling Contractor we offer roof inspections as well as free quotes. Call us today for roofing services in Ann Arbor Michigan.