Knowing whether to invest in a new roof or simply repair the one you have can be a tricky scenario.

To be fair, most people will gravitate towards repairing because it’s often more cost-effective. But, if your roof is old and has sustained significant damage, then you might be looking at a full replacement.

Today, we’re going to break it all down for you so that it’s easy to understand when you should repair or replace your roof.

repair or replace your roof flowchart

Variables to Consider Before Making Your Decision

Whether you choose one or the other option is totally up to you, but there should be specific reasons far beyond money for why you do end up choosing to repair your roof or replace it. Here’s what to consider.

How Old is Your Roof?

First off, your roof’s age is going to be a tell-tale sign of whether you should be expecting a repair or replacement. Repairing a roof that’s already at the end of its lifespan will just mean that you’re going to be repairing it again in the future. Asphalt shingle roofs will only last around 25 years, meaning that if your roof is more than 15 years old and there’s significant damage, a replacement might be the best option.

old and damaged roof

How Long Will You Be Living in Your Home?

The amount of time you plan to spend living in your home is another important variable to consider. If you’re moving out within the next few years, replacing that roof could offer a good ROI, or it might not be something you see value in investing in.

Roof repairs are much cheaper, faster and allow you to tell the homebuyers that there aren’t any problems with the existing roof.

What’s Your Budget and Will Insurance Help?

As we just mentioned above, a roof replacement could cost upwards of $20,000, which is much more expensive than a repair that would likely only be a few thousand. Therefore, your budget might significantly impact whether you choose to repair or replace the roof.

However, insurance might help with the cost of both repairing or replacing if the roof is damaged due to a storm. Of course, no insurance policy is built the same, but in many cases, homeowners can make a claim and get help paying to repair the damages, even if that means installing a new roof.

couple considering their roof financing options

When to Consider Repair

We’ve gone through a few of the factors already, but there are some specific roof damages that will require a repair and often be a better choice before replacement. Here are some scenarios that would best warrant a repair.

  • Leaks Around the Pipe Boots
  • Leaks Around the Chimney
  • Missing shingles
  • Air Gun Nailing Mistakes
  • Nail pops
  • Fascia Replacement
  • Punctures and Holes
  • Cracking and Blistering
  • Poor Installation
  • Tree Damage
  • Weather Damage

Many of these issues will lead to leaks in your roof and likely water dripping somewhere in your home. If you find leaks, be sure to quickly call a roofing expert or get them fixed yourself before too much water damage causes more problems. Mold and mildew can cause lasting damage if the problems aren’t fixed right away.

look for signs of damage when deciding to repair or replace your roof

When to Choose Replacement

One of the primary reasons roof replacement becomes the main choice is roof age. At some point, you’ll need to have the roof whether or not there’s any damage. Old roofing materials are more prone to problems and can lead to more serious problems if they aren’t replaced.

Another reason you might need to choose a replacement is if the shingles can’t be matched for a roof repair. This doesn’t happen too often, but it can happen and can help you get your roof replaced with the help of insurance for much cheaper.

And finally, a full roof replacement will offer you peace of mind. You won’t need to worry about whether or not your roof will hold up in a big storm. Newer shingles are designed better and hold up against extreme weather conditions. So while a new roof isn’t cheap, sleeping soundly at night might just be worth it.

The K&D team is ready to help with your roof and ensure that all work is done to the highest standards. Whether it’s a simple roof repair or a full replacement, our team is ready. We provide free estimates and can help you successfully file an insurance claim for storm damage.

Reach out to us today to learn more and schedule your free estimate. We’re Raleigh’s #1 roofing contractor, and we’re ready to serve you!