Cracked or broken shingles, or holes on your roof might make you cringe, as these could spell hotter days for you and your family even when you’re inside the house. They might lead you to consider doing some repairs on your roof, or perhaps a replacement. How would you know, however, if your roofing problems warrant a complete reroofing, or may simply need some major repairs?

Spotting the Problems

Though there are many telltale signs of a damaged roof, the challenge here is to identify the more subtle problems that are harder to spot. A good way to start is to grab a pair of binoculars and check your roof from across the street, while looking for signs of damage. Can you spot missing, curled, or cracked shingles, or are you seeing some missing pieces of flashing? Curling or buckling shingles are signs that these are past their life expectancy, and are in need of immediate replacement.

To help you in making the decision, call a Menlo Park roofing contractor who can make a closer and more thorough inspection of your roof, and give you a professional recommendation on whether to replace or repair.

Age of the Roof

One of the major factors to keep in mind is the age of your roof. If your roof is around 20 years, then it may be time for a new one, especially if it starts to leak. At times, however, patching up newer roofs or layering new shingles may be enough, if the damage is minimal or limited. However, this method isn’t always advisable, since it could add weight to the roof, making it harder for the walls to support it. Additionally, different roofing types have different service lives. Ask a professional roofer for a more accurate assessment.

Choosing Among Roof Types

If you have made the decision to replace your roof, the next thing to do is to decide what type of roof to have. There are a lot of available choices in the market, and each has its own advantages. Asphalt shingles are among the most popular materials for roofing, yet there are also roofs made of slate, concrete, or composite materials, which are all good for California homes. You may also want to consider green roofing offered by Menlo Park, CA residential roofing services like Shelton Roofing, which can help make your home more energy efficient and protect the environment at the same time.

 

(Source: When to Repair or Replace a Roof, Claims Journal)