How Do I Know If My Roof Needs Repair Or Replacement?

Jul 6, 2023 | Roofing

Central Ohio’s Replacement Roofing & Roof Repair Experts

Whitt Roofing & Restoration is a family-owned roofing company in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to helping our community with their roof repair or replacement needs. Our team of experts is passionate about ensuring your home provides the comfort and safety you deserve. We can provide a thorough inspection of your home for any damage to tiles, shingles, siding, gutters, and other roofing materials, and check for water damage or other signs that leaking may be occurring with your roof. Each of our roofing experts undergoes very extensive training to make sure they are very familiar with different structures and their structural integrity, the different options for roofing such as shingles, metal roofs, tile roofs, etc, and can detect small signs that may point to larger issues. Upon inspecting your home each of our team members has the training to spot the issues, understand the repairs necessary, and create a plan of action to get your roof back functioning the way it should be! The smallest leaks can cause extensive water damage which only worsens over time, so we make it a major priority to not only inspect the outside of your home, but enter into the attic to check for water damage and other issues your roof may be having. Throughout central Ohio, we’ve built strong relationships with both residential and commercial customers by providing outstanding service and craftsmanship. At Whitt Roofing & Restoration, we understand that roof repair or replacement can be daunting, so we aim to simplify the process for you. Whether you suspect structural damage, have leaks, or need an inspection, contact us today!

Repairing a Roof Vs. Replacing a Roof

Understanding the differences between roof repair and replacement is crucial for homeowners and property managers. Repairs are designed to maintain your roof’s optimal performance, ensuring that shingles, tiles, and other materials effectively protect your home from water, rain, and moisture. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your roof and prevents more significant issues down the line. A well maintained roof is not only more likely to protect a home from water damage, but can lower energy bills, reduce humidity in your home, and will extend the overall life of the roof. The lifespan of a roof ranges widely depending on several key factors. The materials and type of roof used have a great impact on the lifespan of the roof and will be one of the main determining factors of when your roof needs replacing. Maintaining regular roof repairs will keep the roofing stronger and will help it to maintain its integrity for much longer than roofs that are ignored, especially in climates that get a variety of types of weather like central Ohio. Without regular repairs smaller issues, such as loose or missing shingles, will quickly grow into larger issues that ultimately cost the home residents more, not to mention the loss of effectiveness in maintaining a good temperature.

Eventually, every homeowner must consider roof repair or replacement. There comes a point when too many repairs are needed too frequently, making it financially impractical to continue patching up your roof. While repairs are always the best solution when possible—extending the lifespan of your roof and saving you money long-term—it’s essential to recognize when replacement is the more sensible choice for the health of your home. Not only is a roof repair much more cost effective, but replacing your roof early because of poor maintenance habits means you’re losing out on the initial investment of your last roof replacement. Once it becomes clear that it is time for a roof replacement it is better to green light the home roof replacement rather than continue to work around existing damage and past repair work. A roof can last anywhere from 20 to 80 years, sometimes longer, depending on the initial investment of materials and the level of expertise used by the roof contractors who installed it. Once it is time to replace the roof, we suggest not waiting regardless of whether you plan to move or stay in your home. Typically a roofing replacement only occurs once or twice in someone’s lifetime as it is not very common to stay in the same home for multiple decades.

General Roof Maintenance & Repairs

Something as simple as a few missing shingles can trigger the need for roof repair or replacement. While a small leak may seem easy to ignore initially, the damage can escalate rapidly. Water damage from missing shingles can spread, leading to significant harm to drywall and other interior structural materials if left untreated. It’s crucial to address these issues promptly to prevent more extensive repairs down the line. In these situations the overall repair can grow from something as simple as having some shingles replaced into dealing with mold and mildew buildup, drywall replacement, and more. As proud roofing experts in central Ohio we always recommend that when our customers notice anything that they believe could be a larger problem they contact us to come have a look; when encountering issues with home maintenance Roof repairs encompasses a variety of issues that can occur across multiple roof types. Repairs that fall under this category are flashing repairs and replacement, shingle replacement or having to replace tiles, gutter repairs, leaks in the roof, roof and attic ventilation repairs, missing shingles, pooling water, damage from extreme weather, fallen trees, and general damage to the shingles or other materials used for roofing.

Having a Professional Check Your Roof

We encourage homeowners to work with professional roofing companies to determine whether their roof requires roof repair or replacement. Whitt Roofing & Restoration offers free inspections to assess the condition of your roof, identify any damage, and check for leaks into the attic or walls. Our thorough evaluations help you understand if it’s time for a simple repair or a full replacement, ensuring your home remains safe and secure. In many cases a professional can check to see if simple repairs can bring your roof back to a stronger, more durable state by replacing shingles, fixing leaks, and other general roofing maintenance. In an instance where a roof repair is still an option for your roof our team can provide an estimate on what it would cost to fix the damage and schedule the roofing repair work on our calendar right away. If your roof hasn’t been inspected in more than twelve months we recommend reaching out so one of our roofing experts can schedule a thorough inspection of your roof. Sometimes it can be difficult for homeowners to know whether or not it is time for a replacement, but our team of professional roofing contractors can assess any damage and the state of your shingles to give you an honest and clear answer. In many circumstances repairs are the right action to take and getting your roof back to a functioning state and providing regularly scheduled maintenance will keep it strong and lasting longer. If you are able to see that your roof has accrued damage to shingles or other materials, or your home is experiencing water damage these are clear indicators that someone should inspect your home. Call us today or reach out via our website to schedule an inspection! Our team of roofing professionals are ready to help you with any roofing solutions you may need!

Signs You Roof Needs Replacing:

For homeowners who haven’t experienced a roof replacement before, deciding between roof repair or replacement can feel daunting. Our roofing team is expertly trained to identify subtle signs of damage and assess whether repairs can effectively maintain the roof’s functionality. We guide you through this crucial decision, ensuring you choose the best option for your home’s needs.  Through extensive training we are able to determine the state of your roof with an inspection and gather some information about the history of roof maintenance, past damage, etc. We work with homeowners and property managers to make sure our assessments are detailed and we can provide the information necessary to help you decide, with our recommendation, what is best for your roof.

During our inspections, we thoroughly evaluate both the exterior and interior of your home to identify signs of damage that could indicate whether roof repair or replacement is necessary. We inspect your attic for light leaks, stains, and water infiltration, and we consider the history and age of your roof to assess the lifespan of the materials. This comprehensive approach helps us provide the best recommendations for your roofing needs. For instance, because shingles have a shorter lifespan than other more durable materials, such as a metal roof, knowing the installation date of the existing roof helps us determine what the future of the roof will look like in terms of repairs and materials breaking down or eroding. Our crew then inspects the exterior of your roof to look for signs that the shingles or other materials are in working order. When we’re seeing extensive repair needs at the end of an expected lifespan of a roof this can be an indicator that it may be time to move forward with planning a roof replacement. When rooftops have experienced damage from moisture becoming trapped there are some clear signs that point towards having your roof replaced. A roof should have a flat, clean surface but when the roof has sagging shingles or spots that aren’t level these are signs that boards may be rotting and structure integrity may be weakening. While these signs may indicate that a roof replacement is the best course of action, many factors influence the decision-making process for your roof care. We carefully analyze all collected data to determine the best course of action, whether it’s roof repair or replacement. Our services range from minor repairs to complete roof replacements, ensuring that no matter the issues you’re facing, we are equipped and ready to help!