PART 1: THE CASE FOR ROOF REPAIR

Here’s a basic fact of life: Because your roof receives the brunt of the abuse from the elements, it will wear out eventually. High-quality materials, professional installation, and a roofing style suited to your area’s general climate increase the odds of your roof lasting longer, but problems will still arise sooner or later.

The trick to roof maintenance is to catch these problems early on so you can have a fair chance of reversing the damage through roof repairs. In fact, you might never have to do a reroof in your lifetime if you’re religious about proactive roof maintenance.

When to Repair

Roof repairs make sense when your roof is generally in good condition. For instance, you spot a major leak, but upon inspection, your roofer finds that the problem is isolated to a small part of your roof. That kind of problem can be dealt with with roof repairs.

There is, of course, a time and place for roof replacement, but if you haven’t fully maximized your roof’s service life and there is no question of massive damage, choose repairs over replacement and make the most of your existing roof. And then there’s the budget issue. If you can’t afford a replacement right now, you can do repairs to buy time to save up for a new roof.

PART 1: THE CASE FOR ROOF REPAIR

Keep in mind, however, that repairing a roof that’s really due for a replacement will only delay the inevitable. It’s a short-term solution that’s only meant to tide you over until you can afford a reroof.

The Cost of Roof Repair

How much you’ll spend on roof repairs will depend on how much work will need to be done. For simpler repairs like resealing flashing, you can expect to shell out as little as $10. For more extensive repairs that require the removal and replacement of roof material—like fixing a leak in a valley—you may have to spend up to $1,000 on labor and materials.

Still, roof repairs, no matter how intensive, are still considerably cheaper than roof replacement. A reroof can easily cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the kind of roof you’re getting and on how big your home is.

While it’s true that each roof is a unique case and that there is no true one-size-fits-all approach to roof problems, there are still some issues that are more or less common across the board. Examples include leaks, missing or broken shingles, and moisture damage.

Leaks

Leaks are a near-universal problem, one that can occur in any kind of roof and for different reasons. Most of the time, however, a leak is caused by the deterioration of the roof covering or of the material surrounding penetrations like skylights, chimneys, and vents.

Now it’s true that there’s no avoiding roof deterioration. Wear and tear is a natural part of a roof’s life cycle. Premature deterioration, however, isn’t. That’s what routine roof inspection and maintenance aim to prevent.

As for penetrations, they are more vulnerable to leaks because installing them involves cutting through layers of roofing material. But just because your roof has a skylight or a vent doesn’t automatically mean you need to worry about leaks. There should be no problem so long as the flashing surrounding the penetration was installed properly and remains in good shape.

PART 2: COMMON ROOF PROBLEMS

PART 2: COMMON ROOF PROBLEMS

Besides the areas surrounding penetrations, flashing is also used to bridge transitions, like in roof valleys or at the points where the roof meets a wall. If the flashing is in poor shape, those areas are also prime candidates for leaks.

Missing or Broken Shingles

Asphalt shingles are designed to be long-wearing, but the amount of abuse they take from the elements will take its toll. Prolonged sun exposure, especially on the southern face of your roof, will cause shingles to deteriorate faster and become brittle. Wind also takes a toll on your ridge cap shingles and on shingles installed at windward corners, rakes, and eaves. They are the likeliest to be blown off during a storm, especially if they weren’t installed properly in the first place.

Moisture Damage

Moisture damage that isn’t associated with roof leaks may be caused by: - poor roof ventilation (which prevents warm, moist air from escaping) and

- poor insulation (which allows warm, moist air from downstairs to find its way into the attic.

Signs that should clue you in to the presence of excess moisture in your attic include rust or black rings around nails, algae stains on plywood, and soaked insulation. Over time, this moisture will cause the wood in your roof to weaken and decay, compromising its structure from within.

PART 2: COMMON ROOF PROBLEMS

Even if you consider yourself handy about the house, the quality of your repair work may be drastically different from what a roofing contractor can offer. This is a no-brainer: roofing contractors have undergone training, have a lot more experience, and have access to the right tools and the best materials. That gives them a real edge in roof repair.

Here are three more excellent reasons why it’s a good idea to hire a pro for roof repairs:

Reason #1: They can save you money.

Hiring a professional means paying extra for labor, but doing so will save you money in the long run in two ways. First, they make sure repairs are done right the first time, eliminating costs associated with back jobs. And second, they make sure that the results of their repairs last, so you won’t end up paying for repairs again so soon.

To up your chances of landing the best service for your money, get at least three quotes from trusted local contractors before hiring.

Reason #2: They can save you time.

Not everybody has time to go snooping for a leak or to hunt for the right tools and materials needed for a repair. Add to this the fact that you’ll need to do a fair amount of research to make sure you can do the job properly (and even then this is no guarantee that you’ll be able to pull it off).

PART 3: THE PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENCE

If you’re swamped or want to get the job done quickly, there is no substitute to working with a professional. Roofing contractors’ experience allows them to execute the task more efficiently, meaning you’ll be on your way to a leak-free roof in no time.

Reason #3: They can save your life.

Did you know that more than 90,000 trips to the emergency room each year involve ladder-related injuries? And that out of all deaths associated with falls, 43% are due to ladders? Going up a ladder has its risks. And because that’s just part and parcel of a roof repair project, it’s a risk you’ll be taking personally if you decide to DIY. Unlike a layman, a professional roofer is fully insured and is trained to mitigate these risks. He or she is far less likely to meet an accident while fixing your roof.

The takeaway for all this is simple: as much as possible, do not DIY. Call a roofer you can trust if you need your roof fixed. At the end of the day, you’ll find that working with a pro is worth every penny.

PART 3: THE PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENCE

Arry’s Roofing Services, Inc.

401 East Spruce Street,Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727) 938-9565(727) 362-2230

ArrysRoofing.com