I recently met with a couple looking for an estimate on a new roof system. The homeowners told me that the other contractors said they could wait three to five years to replace their Northern Virginia roofing system and, in the meantime, pay less to simply repair it. I paused and offered, “Well, that could be true, but did they give you any more information?” The homeowners shook their heads and I went on to explain the following.
If your roof is just “getting by,” choosing to repair trouble spots as they come may seem cost-effective, but taking that approach may lead you to pay more in the long run. Not only will you have to replace the roof eventually, those spot-by-spot repairs add up. I like to show this example breakdown of projected spending to customers facing this dilemma.
There are, of course, instances in which a roof repair is the smartest choice – such as minor damage from a natural disaster. But homeowners should also pay attention to the following signs of a roof system that’s calling out, “Replace me!”
- Your roof leaks in multiple areas.
- It is more than 20 years old.
- The shingles on your roof are excessively curled or buckled, or a number of tiles are cracked or missing.
- The roof is stained or covered with mossy growth.
- Ice dams on your roof’s edge or in the gutters.
- Stains on interior walls, ceilings and attic rafters.
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