Repair, Patch, or Replace Your Roof
There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when the ultimate roofing question comes to mind, “Does the roof need to be replaced, or will a simple repair or patch do the trick?”
While you hope that the less costly choice is needed, you also want to be sure that the roof is well-cared for to protect your family and personal belongings. At Shelby Roofing & Exteriors, we have this same goal in mind and seek to always offer a quality roof at an affordable price, alongside exceptional customer service. To help you answer such an important question, here are the common signs of whether it is time to repair, patch, or replace your residential home’s roof.
Signs Your Roof Needs Repaired or Patched
How do you know if your roof needs to be repaired or patched, rather than fully replaced?
While every roof needs to be replaced at some point, a simple repair or patch may only be needed if there is minor damage or if only part of the roof has been impacted. The roof’s age is always the number one factor when it comes to assessing what your roof really needs. If your roof is in overall good condition and still has many years left in its lifespan, that is the first sign that you will likely only need a repair or patch.
Next, consider the condition of your roof when you notice any damage. Weather damage from rain, hail, or wind, along with fallen branches or missing shingles in isolated areas of the roof can be easy and inexpensive repairs. Likewise, an isolated roof leak can be a sign that you simply need to have a roofing contractor patch the roof area. Temporary fixes are great for keeping current costs down and prevent more costly repairs later.
Finally, if you are considering selling your home soon, it is important to also think about if a simple repair or patch will impact the sale value of your property. Buyers will be more motivated if they know the roof has been properly cared for and know that the roof is not at risk of failing soon after their purchase.
Signs Your Roof Needs Replaced
Your roof’s lifespan is the most significant contributing factor of determining whether your roof needs to be replaced.
The most common type of roofing in Missouri is Asphalt Shingles that have some general warning signs that indicate the 15-to-25-year lifespan is coming to an end. The most common signs that it may be time to replace your residential roof are missing shingles, curling shingles, and if there is shingle debris starting to clog your gutters. Most importantly, if you notice that your roof is starting to sag, this is a key sign that the structural integrity of your roof is declining. Other signs that it is time to replace your roof include:
Missing Granules
If you are standing in your yard and notice discolored patches (dark patches on light shingles and light patches on dark or black shingles) or if you notice granules in the gutters during cleanings, these are signs that the shingles are beginning to wear out. While missing granules are not likely to cause leaking, it can impact the effectiveness of how well your roof is protected from the sun’s UV rays.
Curling or Cracking Shingles
When shingles begin to dry and shrink as they age, you will notice an increase in curling, cracking, and brittleness, along with a greater likelihood of them blowing off during high winds. Curling shingles can also be a sign of more significant problems, whether they are aging, not lined up properly, or that the roof is layered. Unfortunately, the only way to fix this issue is to replace affected tiles or replace the whole roof if there is widespread damage.
Excessive Moss Growth
While moss growth is a natural occurrence for Asphalt roofing, excessive moss growth across large areas of the roof can cause damage over time. Many homeowners will see the shingles begin to lift as the moss growth expands, which can impact the roof’s ability to drain rainwater and result in roof leaks. As noted, if this is caught early enough you can get away with a simple repair, but left unnoticed the moss will shorten the roof’s lifespan and require partial or full replacement.
Weather Damage
Missouri weather is a common cause for shingles blowing off residential roofs, while also leaving them cracked, dried, or curled. Even if a shingle has simply started to lift, this means that the sealant or nails may have started to loosen and can lead to a leaky roof. If you notice that the rain, wind, or hail from a heavy storm has blown off your roof’s shingles, it may be a sign that your roof will need to be replaced.
All these signs can also be used to determine if your metal roofing, rubber roofing, or flat roofing needs to be replaced. Metal roofing will show rusting or extreme color fading on the metal panels, dents or scratches on the painted finish that result from the damage of heavy hail damage or falling limbs, or wallowed out fasteners. Rubber or flat roofs show signs of needing to be replaced if you see extensive pools of water or large rips and tears in the materials and seams. Keep in mind that some roofing materials may not easily show damage, including for tar and gravel roofs, so it is important to always have an experienced roofing professional look at the roof to determine if the roof will need to be replaced.
To get a better idea of what your home’s roof needs to keep your family and personal belongings safe, you want a trusted roofing professional to understand what your best residential service option is. With over 35 years of experience across the St. Louis, MO area (including Arnold, Imperial, Oakville, and Fenton), Shelby Roofing & Exteriors is guaranteed to offer prompt and comprehensive services. We also offer 24-hour emergency response, no matter what time it is, along with storm damage cleanup. Contact us today to receive a free estimate and to see if your homeowner’s insurance can cover part of your roofing costs.
