Your roof is one of those things that is easy to ignore. After all, out of sight, out of mind, right?
That is, until leaks or damage start to show and compromise not only the appearance of your roof, but also the health and safety of your home.
Deciding on whether to completely replace your roof, or to patch it up with remedial maintenance is a big call. Do you hold out and hope it lasts until you hand over the keys to the next owner? Or how do you know it’s time to go with a full replacement?
After over 20 years in the roofing industry, I’ve seen that remedial work, followed by a reseal and paint, can sometimes still be effective for minor repairs. However I’ve also seen some roofs that have been recently resurfaced/repainted when they should have been fully replaced due to the overall age and condition of the roof. It’s not only a waste of money for the homeowner as issues continue to arise, but leaves them open to other risk and expense, as keeping a tired roof in place can result in major internal damage to the home.
We also often see homeowners undertaking beautiful interior renovations of their home, but neglecting to replace what’s protecting it on the outside too. We know – a new kitchen or bathroom seems like a much more appealing and fun investment to make! But failing to consider the exterior of your home could actually undo some of the interior updates through resulting leak damage.
So, when do you know it’s time for a full replacement?
There are several visual signs you can see yourself, which are what we’ll also consider when evaluating whether a roor replacement is needed. These include:
- Overall condition and age
- Evident leaks, mould/damp spots on ceiling
- Rust, paint corrosion, flaking
- Lifting iron, flashings, or concrete tiles
- Cracked mortar, broken and missing tiles
- Lead heads on nails have fallen off
- Poor workmanship from previous remedial work or roof fitting
Here are some before and after photos:
Many older homes in New Zealand were also fitted with roofs without underlay. Adding this layer of insulation when replacing your roof can result in a warmer home. So, this might also be something that influences your decision to completely replace your roof.
If you’re considering selling your home sometime in the future, a new roof sends a message about the standards to which your home has been maintained, and therefore makes the home more appealing and competitive in the market.
Remember: repairs might be cheaper in the short term, but multiple repairs on an aging roof can start to add up. Consider too, that all work requires costs such as scaffolding. Specific health and safety regulations may mean that these costs do not differ significantly between repair jobs and full roof replacements. It may be that the cost of patch and repair jobs over time really doesn’t make economical sense.
At Roof Me, re-roofing is our speciality. Everyday we provide advice that helps homeowners make the right decision for their home. When we make our initial assessment and quote, we’ll provide you with our honest, informed recommendations about whether your home is due for a re-roof, or whether remedial fixes will be sufficient.
If you choose to go ahead, we’ll use quality COLORSTEEL® and ColorCote® products to replace your roof. These products have been built to deal with New Zealand’s harsh weather conditions, and selected by us for their performance, durability and modern finish.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s time for a roof replacement, get in touch and we’ll arrange a time for a free quotation.