Roof Repair vs. Roof Replacement in Grand Traverse County, MI: Important Things to Consider Before Making a Decision
May 15, 2019
All types of roofing materials will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. But what about repairs? How do you know if the roof should be replaced? The following are a few factors to consider to help you decide whether to do roof repairs or invest in roof replacement in Grand Traverse County, MI:
- Age of the roof: When the time comes to decide between roof repairs or a total or partial replacement, one of the most important things to consider is the age of the roof. Knowing the lifespan of the type of roofing material helps too. For instance, most asphalt shingles can last between 15 and 30 years. So, if your asphalt roof is lightly damaged in some areas but most of it is still in good condition, then repairs to those areas makes the most sense. However, your best bet may be to replace a roof with several damaged spots or one that’s 20 years old or more.
- Your plans to stay: Some people buy a house and live in it for a few years before selling and moving to a new place. Others plan to stay for life. Before doing anything to your roof, think about how long you intend to live in the house. If you’re planning to be in the home at least a few years before selling, and the roof is in relatively good condition, making small repairs as needed may be to your advantage.
- Size of leaks: You might not be able to figure out where a roof leak is coming from. Schedule an inspection to help determine the origin of the leak and if it has done any damage to your house. Keep in mind, isolated leaks—such as along flashing points—are easier to repair than multiple, large or widespread leaks. The latter may call for a roofing replacement.
- Insurance discounts: Let’s say you’ve decided to replace your old or damaged roof. Before you do anything, contact your homeowner’s insurance carrier and ask about their policy discounts. The size of the discount is determined by the type and/or quality of roofing material you choose. For example, materials that provide resistance to fire, hail or wind damage may be subject to lower rates.
- Tax credits: Roofing installations that incorporate certain environmentally-friendly features may qualify for local or federal tax credits. These credits can significantly offset the cost of your new roof. Tax credits or not, upgrading to new roofing materials is generally more energy efficient, perform better and last longer in the long-term.
- To overlay or remove shingles: You can remove all the old roofing shingles and replace them with new ones, or go through with an overlay—when you lay another layer of shingles right over the existing roof—which can cut costs.
The weather is changing quickly! Call Qualified Roofing today to get your name on the schedule for roof replacement in Grand Traverse County, MI. And don’t forget to ask us about our 5-7 percent off discounts for flexible scheduling!
Categorised in: New Roof