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 operating in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding area. Our team of roofing experts has a passion for giving the members of our community the feeling of comfort and safety knowing their home is working as it should. 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 have fostered excellent relationships with customers both with residential and commercial properties, proudly supplying them with excellent customer service and craftsmanship that makes us proud. Whitt Roofing & Restoration understands that roofing maintenance can be frustrating, so we want to make the process as simple as possible for every customer. Whether you’re dealing with potential structural damage to your roof, you believe there is water leaking, think it may be time to replace the entire roof, or just haven’t had your roof inspected for a while, reach out to Whitt Roofing & Restoration today!

Repairing a Roof Vs. Replacing a Roof

When it comes to your roof knowing the ins-and-outs of roof repair and roof replacement is helpful for anyone that owns or manages a home property. In general repairs are meant to keep a roof functioning at its highest capacity making sure shingles, tiles, and other roofing materials are functioning correctly to keep out water, rain, moisture, and other elements from entering the home. 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.

Inevitably if you’re in a home long enough you will need to start thinking about a roof replacement. There comes a point with every roof where too many repairs are necessary too frequently and repairing your roof no longer makes financial sense. When possible repairs are always the best solution for your roof as they increase the lifespan of the roof which will save you money long-term. 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 cause your roof to begin leaking, and while a small leak is easy to ignore for a little while the overall damage a small leak can cause builds rather quickly. Water damage from missing shingles can spread causing damage to drywall and other interior structural materials that aren’t treated for exposure to outside elements. 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 the state of their roof and whether or not it needs general roof repair or if it is nearing the time for a full replacement. Whitt Roofing & Restoration offers free inspections of your roof to help you understand the state of the roof, what damage has occurred, if water is leaking into the attic or walls, and other signs that may determine a replacement is necessary. 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:

To a homeowner that hasn’t gone through a roof replacement before the final decision whether or not to continue repairing or have your roof replaced may seem arbitrary, but every member of our roofing team has been thoroughly trained not only to spot the subtle signs of roofing damage, but also how to determine whether or not repairs are able to keep the roof in working condition. 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 only only check the exterior of the home, but navigate the interior to look for signs of leaking, trapped moisture and humidity, and other issues that are indicators that repairs or replacements are necessary for your roof. We will check your attic for light leaks, stains, water leaks, and more. Understanding the history of the home also helps us determine the age of the roof and how that factors into the lifespan of the materials used. 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 and other signs can mean a roof replacement is the best course of action there are many factors involved in determining the next steps for roof care. We will take all of the data we collect and make an informed decision on what we believe the best course of action to be. Our services span from single single repairs all of the way to full roof replacements, so no matter the issues you’re facing we are equipped and ready to help!