Roof Repair & Leaks
A leaking roof is the most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your roof, but it’s hardly the only one. Many of these signs will eventually lead to a leaking roof, but identifying these problems early enough can prevent water damage and save you money for your roof replacement project. Sometimes this early intervention can also be the difference between repairing your roof and replacing your roof. You should consider part of this decision, however, the age of the roof, otherwise you may find roof repair a constant burden and not make your home eligible for reduced insurance premiums.
Signs of an Impending Leaking Roof
- Missing, torn or cracked shingles and tiles expose the roof to water damage and rot, and make nearby shingles more susceptible to being blown away. Old shingles will curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. These weakened shingles are more likely to be blown away by wind gusts.
- Rusted or missing flashing can result in a leaking roof. Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes and often is found in the valleys where roof sections meet.
- Check gutters, downspouts and splash pans for evidence of decay or damage. Broken pieces of paint and scraps of roofing may be visible.
- Indoors, look for discolored plasterboard or cracked paint and peeling wallpaper.
Replace a Roof without Removing the Roof
You have two main roof replacement options: You can either remove the old roof or put a new roof down on top of the old one. Putting a new roof down on top of the old one is almost always cheaper but often doesn’t last as long—a typical situation where you get what you pay for. However, some considerations can make one choice better than the other. If you have more than two roofing layers already present, your roof can get heavy, cumbersome, and the sub-layers may end up rotting through to the point where your new roof is no longer stable.
New Roof – Versus repair options
Did you know getting a new roof in Florida can actually reduce your insurance premium? A newer roof is less of a risk for an insurance claim. Older roofs carry a higher risk associated with them (easier to leak, easier to lose shingles, easier to cause inside and outside damage to the home when a storm hits). Make sure you contact your insurance carrier, because different carriers have different philosophies. But for the most part, receiving a new roof will lower yourHomeowner’s Insurance Premium.
