Repair or Replace my roof

Roofs are an essential feature of every structure because they protect us from the sun, rain, wind, snow, and severe temperatures. The inside of any building, whether residential or commercial, can quickly degrade if it does not have a properly installed and functioning roofing system on top of it. Without a proper and functioning roof system, It’s likely that you will encounter leaks, pests, mold and mildew, greater heating and cooling costs and even issues with resale values.

Roofing systems are designed to and should provide proper protection and coverage for typically 20-30 years, barring any major weather related events, fires or vandalism. If you believe that your roof has sustained damaged from hail, wind or even just normal wear and tear, what should you do? If you don’t know anything about roofing, it may be tough to identify if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Fortunately, Fortis Roofing Systems is here to help. The decision to repair or replace your roof will be discussed in this article from the perspective of our experience and in the North Texas area. If you prefer, Fortis Roofing Systems would be honored to provide you with a roof inspection to verify that you’re getting the best possible advise for your particular roofing system. Remember, with Fortis Roofing Systems, our inspections are always a no obligation, only information inspection.  

Roofing Repair: What’s the Process?

You may be able to fix small or even severe damage to your roof with a simple repair. Many times, making repairs to your roof can extend the life of an aging roof if done properly and quickly before further damages are done. Almost every homeowner has to deal with replacing a roof at some time during their period of homeownership. Many homeowners may be inclined to repair the damage themselves, but it’s always best to employ a reputable roofing business like Fortis Roofing Systems to ensure that it has been properly repaired.

Depending on the extent of the damage, your roof may only need to be patched up, minor gaps filled in, or damaged or missing shingles and other components replaced. Before you can fix your roof, you or a professional contractor must first find and diagnose the problem. To maintain safety, a homeowner could simply take a pair of binoculars and scan the roof for any faults from the ground while checking a roof. Broken or missing shingles, punctures or holes, nail popping, damaged flashing or granule loss are all signs that your roof needs to be repaired.

If you want to be sure that every nook and cranny of your roof is inspected, Fortis Roofing Systems offers expert roof inspections. In addition to regular inspections, we also provide a comprehensive evaluation report that includes a forensic roof inspection. The forensic roof inspection goes into much greater detail and is more about finding evidence of prior or current leaks and tracing it all the way back up to the roof top. Many times, we find that prior and current leaks aren’t from the roofing system at all.  

If a roof inspector has determined that enough damage is present on your roofing system, the following bullet list is a guideline of what to expect next, should you decide to use Fortis Roofing Systems as your roofing contractor:

• Fortis Roofing System’s team works with homeowners to help determine that if a roof is damaged or not. We are not licensed Insurance Adjusters and will never act like one. However, if your insurance company needs or requests our help to better service you, and expedite the restoration of your home, then we will do anything we can to help you.
• A comprehensive agreement: Once you or the insurance company has given the go-ahead on repairs or replacement, we’ll send you a contract outlining the extent of the work, a timeframe, and our contact details, as well as a price estimate.
• Next, we’ll apply for permitting through your city (if required) so that we may get started on the project. HOA permissions might also be part of a permit.
• Protecting your home: We take the essential precautions before we begin work. We cover your landscaping with tarps to shield it from any falling debris.

• We begin repairing your roof as soon as everything is safe and ready.

• We clean up after ourselves, so you don’t have to worry about the leftovers.

Roof Replacement: What’s the Process?

Only a small portion of the roofing system is being worked on during repairs. Replacing your entire roofing system, on the other hand, necessitates removing everything that can be seen, in order to reveal the decking system. Once the decking system has been revealed, there may be a need to make repairs to the sheathing, rafters, and trusses of your home. At Fortis Roofing Systems, we don’t take these types of repairs lightly. We bring in top notch framers and other trades as necessary to ensure these repairs are being done correctly and to code.

• In many instances, your homeowner’s insurance may be required to determine if your roof is repairable or needs to be replaced. If it is damaged by extreme weather conditions, such as tornadoes, hail or straight-line winds, then your insurance policy may be the best route to obtain repairs or replacement of your roof. In many cases, our clients are replacing their roof out of pocket. If this is your situation, then the situation is only different in the aspect that insurance is not required during the process.

• Once it has been decided that a new roofing system is needed for your property, we will provide you with a detailed estimate.

• If you are satisfied with the estimate, and make a decision to utilize Fortis Roofing Systems to replace your roof, the we will send you a contract detailing the scope of work to be done, the time frame in which said work should be done and also set expectations for both you the homeowner and Fortis Roofing Systems.

• Once the contract has been signed and all material selections have been made, then we will order all materials and have them delivered directly to your home.

• Once the materials have been delivered, typically, our installers will be there the next day barring any weather or scheduling setbacks.

• Once the installers arrive, the installation crew and jobsite manager will set up protective coverings to ensure that your home and landscape are well taken care of.

• At this point, the crew should begin tearing off all of the old roofing system down to the deck (sheathing).

• The deck system will be inspected for structural integrity and rotting. If repairs need to be made, this is when it will be done.

• Once the deck has been prepped, the crew will begin the re-roof process. This process typically involves installing drip edge along the eaves, ice and water shield around the chimney, vents, and roof valleys, and then installing a quality, flashings, ventilation systems and synthetic roofing underlayment on the roof deck to protect it from the elements.

• Next, we’ll begin installing the new roofing covering materials (shingles, tile, metal etc.)

• Our work isn’t done until we remove all the trash and debris from the site and do a final inspection. To guarantee that everything is to your total satisfaction, we always ask that you perform a walkaround with the site manager.

• There are more processes involved in a roof replacement than there are in a simple roof repair. To complete a moderately-sized roofing project, many roofing contractors require anywhere between 1-4 days to complete a proper roof replacement. The amount of time it takes is dictated by the size of the job, availability of materials and also the weather. When it comes to asphalt (shingle) roofing, Fortis Roofing Systems can  typically complete a reroof in as little as one day.

How to Choose Between Repairing and Replacing Your Roof

Repairing or replacing your roof is a major home improvement project that should not be taken lightly, unlike repainting or refinishing your cabinetry. In order to obtain the best value for your money and have a well-maintained roof, you need to use the right procedure. No one wants to spend time and money replacing shingles only to discover that the problem is much more serious. Ripping off the roof and investing money you don’t have is a waste if simple fixes are all that’s needed. Before you make a decision on how to fix your roof, there are a number of things to consider.

The Age of the Roof

Even while roofs are constructed to withstand the elements and harsh weather conditions, they are not impenetrable. To determine whether it’s time to replace a roof, consider the manufactures stated lifetime of each roofing material. Asphalt roofing shingles, for example, often endure just 20 years. Clay and metal roof tiles, on the other hand, can last considerably longer before needing replacement. Your roof will begin to disintegrate and exhibit signs of age as its lifespan is nearing its end. In most cases, it’s more cost effective to replace the entire roof than to keep paying for repairs.

The condition of the roof

The state of your roof and the degree of the damage it has sustained should be the next items on your checklist. It might have deteriorated in appearance, or it could have been severely damaged in some way. The extent of the damage to your roof may necessitate an entirely new roof. When a tree falls on your roof, it leaves a series of holes that can’t be repaired. You may be able to fix mild to moderate roof damage with a roof repair if the damage is concentrated in a limited area or covers 30 percent of your roof. In certain cases, it may be difficult to determine the full level of damage, especially if it is hidden beneath the surface of the of your roofing system.

Insurance Claims: Are You Entitled to Reimbursement?

It’s not uncommon for a new roof to set you back several thousand dollars, even if only minor repairs are required. There are other variables to consider, including the size of your roof, the damage it has sustained, and the geographic location of your home. As a result, many people get homeowners’ insurance to protect themselves from unexpected home repairs. In most homeowners’ insurance policies, the cost to replace or repair your roof is covered. Only losses caused by listed covered perils will be covered by your insurance company’s policy. When a roof has been damaged by carelessness or age-related wear and tear, most insurance carriers won’t cover the cost of restoring it. Our suggestion is to be familiar with your insurance policy and speak with your insurance agent for directions on how to best handle your situation.

Cons and Advantages of Repairing a Roof

In some cases, it may not be the best option to undertake a roof repair project. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each of your choices so you can make an informed decision. The following are some benefits and drawbacks of repairing a roof:

Repair Benefits:

• It is less expensive to repair a roof.
• Finishing repairs takes no time at all.
• They can help your roof last longer.

Repair Cons:

• It might be tough to match the color of the existing shingles. The aesthetic value of your roof may be lowered as a result of these repairs, making it less appealing from the street.
• Problems might arise from shoddy patchwork and shoddy execution.

Roof Replacement Advantages and Disadvantages

The cost of a new roof is significantly higher than the cost of roof repair. For the sake of fairness, the following are the advantages and disadvantages of a new roof:

Replacement Pros:

• It fixes many kinds of roof issues, including those that aren’t visible.
• Investing in a new roof can save you money in the long term.
• It can improve the overall look of your home.
• It has the potential to lower utility expenditures by increasing energy efficiency.
• New roofs endure longer than repairs.

Cons:

• You’ll need extra supplies, time, and labor if you decide to completely redo your roof.
• Projects like these tend to cost more money.
• When compared to roof repairs, a replacement job might take significantly longer to complete on time.

We hope that this article has provided some insight regarding the Roof repair versus roof replacement question. Hopefully you have been made aware of the importance of a thorough assessment of your roof’s condition. Our roof inspections are a great way for you to learn more about the state of your roof, as well as for us to make recommendations for the best course of action to resolve your specific roofing needs. Allowing an expert to help you make this decision should only benefit you and help put your mind at ease that you are taking the appropriate steps to ensure that your home and family are being taken care of. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any concerns or questions before making an appointment. We’re here to assist!