Replacing your roof can be an expensive affair and, for this reason, it’s tempting to ignore a few issues here and there. The danger of doing so is that the issues will get worse and end up costing more money in the long run. Is complete roof replacement necessary, or will a patch up here and there suffice?
A damaged roof can affect the entire house — causing issues with brickwork and potentially damaging your contents. If the damage was caused by a storm or other insurable event, the cost of repair may be included on your buildings policy, so it’s worth checking. However, if your roof needs repairing or replacing through wear and tear alone, here are your options.
Roof replacement involves removing the entire roof structure and replacing with new materials. A partial replacement may be an option if the damage is limited to one or two areas but, although this is a cheaper option, it’s not ideal if you want the new areas of roof to be a perfect match for the old — it’s difficult to avoid a patchwork effect with a partial replacement. Another option would be to re-roof, which involves putting a new layer of roofing over the old layer. Although this is technically a new roof, it is considered a repair as the old roof is not removed.
Repair options are cheaper than replacement options, although if you eventually replaced every square metre of the roof, it would cost you more in the long run. A repair is unlikely to make your roof last longer than its original lifespan, but will at least help it reach it. A partial roof replacement is a good option and the part that is replaced will perform like a new roof. An issue with a partial replacement is the cost of roof removal, tools and labour can make a full replacement a more financially viable option.
Re-roofing is a sound investment; although the initial outlay can feel like a lot of money. Replacing your roof can also give your house a facelift, improving its kerb appeal, and the process of removing the entire roof can reveal underlying issues that you may not have noticed if you had opted for a simple repair job.
