When to Put in a New Roof as Opposed to Making Repairs
You have been at it year in and year out patching the same leak. Shingle granules are collecting in your gutters. One has to ask if all the minor repairs are for naught, merely putting off the day of reckoning.
Those questions are not uncommon. We at Nordine Remodeling, LLC can put you in touch with the answer; we have been doing so for McLean County homeowners of one sort or another since 2003. But before you put down the phone, let us tell you what to be on the lookout for. You can always call (309) 491-4204 and we will go over it with you.
The Case for Repair vs. Replacement
There is a difference between a repair, which puts right an isolated issue like a small leak or an absent shingle, and a replacement that is a new roof system altogether. Knowing which is called for is the hard part.
Some homeowners will continue to put their money into repairs when they would be better off in the long term with a replacement. Then there is the waste of replacing a roof that is in need of nothing more than a minor fix. It is about applying the proper solution to the condition of the roof. There are some plain warning signs that indicate a patch job is not the answer.
Age of the Roof
For one, how old is it? With asphalt shingles you can expect 20 to 25 years out of them, give or take, contingent on the quality of the installation and the material. Once a roof gets up there in age, any repairs are a battle you cannot win. The surrounding materials are past their prime and you will see new trouble arise beside the old.
Should you be in doubt as to the age of your roof, we do free inspections. Being a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster and holding our Illinois State Roofing License means our team knows where to look.
Tell Tale Signs
Replacement is usually the wiser course of action when you see:
- Large tracts of the roof with shingles that are cracked, curling or gone
- Sediment in the gutters from the granules having worn away to leave bald spots
- A sag in the roofline, an indication of moisture or structural damage below
- More than your share of leaks in different places
- Daylight making its way through the boards in the attic
- Water stains running down interior walls or across the ceiling
On their own these may be fixed. Yet put a few of them together and the roof is saying it has run its course.
What the Attic Will Reveal
Often you will see the trouble inside first. Make your way to the attic on a sunny day. If you are seeing streaks of light through the boards, or damp insulation, or the place has a musty odor, moisture is finding its way in. Left to it, that will turn to rot and mold and cost you more than a new roof would.
Your Energy Bills
Not everyone thinks to make the connection but an old or damaged roof can be behind unexplained increases in your heating and cooling bills. Worn materials and inadequate ventilation allow the outside in and your conditioned air out. An Energy Star Partner such as ourselves takes note of this; a new roof put in correctly will keep your home at temperature.
Have a Professional Look at It
From the driveway a roof can seem in good order while it is anything but up top, or conversely appear to be in rough shape yet only want some targeted work. You can not judge it from the ground. A professional inspection is well worth it.
As a design-build firm, Nordine Remodeling does its own project management, consulting and design in-house. We are fully bonded, insured and licensed, with an A+ from the BBB. When you get in touch with us you will receive an assessment, not a pitch. We cover Bloomington, Normal, El Paso, Lexington, Downs, Danvers, Carlock, Hudson, Towanda and the rest of McLean County.
Do not wait for something small to become a problem. For a no cost estimate and inspection, contact Nordine Remodeling, LLC. Our hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, (309) 491-4204. We will tell you in no uncertain terms if you should be repairing or replacing.