Roof damage is something a homeowner never wants to deal with, but roofs age, and storms cause damage. The most important question to ask when you see roof damage is whether it will need to be repaired or replaced. The best way to answer that is with a roof inspection from a roofing company. Here’s how they determine what the best course of action is.

Signs That Your Roof Needs to Be Repaired

A roof generally only needs repair when the damage is minimal. Instances in which your roof will just need to be repaired include:

• There’s a localized leak that can be attributed to a specific area on your roof. Patching up this area will solve the problem.
• You only have a few damaged or missing shingles rather than a whole roof of shingles that are reaching the end of their lifespan.
• There’s damage only in specific areas, such as the sealant around your chimney. Flashing is easy to fix and doesn’t require full roof replacement.
• There are small patches of moss or algae that can be addressed, and this growth doesn’t extend to the rest of your roof.

A roofer will be able to tell you how extensive the damage is and if it’s small enough to patch up. A roofer will also be able to tell you during the roof inspection if it’s time to consider a roof replacement.

Signs That Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

A roof that needs to be replaced is one that requires widespread repairs or has become so damaged that it’s not possible or cost-effective to attempt to repair it. Scenarios in which your roof may require replacement include:

• Your roofline is starting to sag or droop, which signifies severe structural problems that need to be addressed immediately.
• Your asphalt shingles are showing signs of granule loss, which means that they’re no longer as effective as they once were and need to be replaced.
• You’re starting to see widespread water damage throughout the house, or you can see sunlight while you’re standing in the attic.
• The degree of damage to your roof is so large that it makes more sense to replace it rather than to try to possibly patch up every individual spot.
• You’ve reached the end of your roof’s lifespan. If you’re starting to get to the point where roof replacement is unavoidable.

A roof with minor damage can be repaired. If the damage is so bad that minor repairs won’t fix it, it needs to be replaced. If you need to replace your roof, contact us at Nordline Remodeling in Bloomington, IL, to get your roof replacement estimate today!