Winter’s Almost Here: Should You Repair or Replace Your Roof?
The days are getting shorter and finally a bit cooler. Before long, the mercury will plummet, the leaves will fall from the trees, snow will fall and we will be in the midst of another frigid winter. If the integrity of your roof is questionable, you should have it evaluated and addressed by a roofing contractor in Westwood, MA before the snow falls and the ice builds up.
How Do You Know If Your Roof Is Damaged?
As with most components of your home, your roof will eventually wear out or become damaged. Hail, wind, falling branches and years of expansion and contraction due to changing temperatures all contribute to roof problems.
The quickest and easiest way to assess your roof’s condition is to call a roofing contractor in Westwood, MA. Most Westwood home improvement contractors are happy to evaluate your roof for free and give you a complimentary repair or replacement estimate. If you’re determined to check it out for yourself, water damage, leaks, dark spots, sags, missing shingles, loose material, the appearance of loose sand-like shingle granules in your gutters and visible light coming into your attic are all signs your roof may be damaged.
A roofing contractor can help you repair or replace.
To Repair or to Replace: That Is the Question
When your roof shows signs of trouble, you have two options: patching the worn and/or damaged areas or completely replacing your roof. Repairing your roof by replacing missing or worn shingles is definitely the cheapest option. One downside of this approach is your replacement shingles probably won’t be identical to the majority of your roof. If you’re concerned about aesthetics or plan to sell your home in the near future, that’s something to consider.
Replacing your roof will cost significantly more than repairing it, although if damage is due to a major weather event, your home insurance policy may cover the cost. Replacement provides the peace of mind you have a completely new roof that probably comes with a warranty. Barring a storm or unusual event, you won’t feel you must continue to check your roof’s condition for wear and tear. Because replacing your roof addresses current and future issues, most home improvement contractors in MA recommend this approach for homeowners who can afford it.
A Word on Roof Replacement
If you decide to replace your roof, you have another decision to make: install a new roof over the old one or remove the old roof and then install the new one. If your roof already has a couple of layers, it must be stripped down before the next roof replacement. If your roof only has one layer and you decide to re-roof over that layer, you’ll probably save a significant amount of money on labor costs. But the end result won’t look perfect; if you look carefully at your new roof, you may notice mismatched edges.
If you suspect it’s time to repair or replace your roof, contact us at Colony Home Improvement for a free roof evaluation and estimate. We are a trusted local provider of new roofs, as well as southeastern MA premier home remodeling and additions!
