Repair or Replacement? What’s Best for Your Roof?

Jul 18,2016

All things have a life span and so too does your roof. If you are the owner of a commercial or residential property, then at some point you will have to make a decision of whether you want to repair the existing roof, or if you want to fully replace an older, under performing roof. Deciding the right thing to do doesn't have to be a difficult task; the only thing that matters is being aware enough to think ahead for the best plan of action, having an understanding of what to do, and the assistance of a professional roofing contractor.

In some situations, roof repair instead of roof replacement can be a wise decision. When problems aren't persistent and can be solved easily, then a roof repair may be the right choice. However, repeated patching of an old, worn-out roof is a waste of your hard-earned money. In this situation, it’s almost impossible to get a return on the investment of making repeated repairs on a roof that has exceeded its intended life-span.

Another important thing to consider is changes in the local building code that may extensively affect the cost effectiveness of repeated repairs. Code compliance requires increased long-term thermal resistance which further means that increased LTTR require more insulation and thicker roofing materials which will be evaluated at higher costs per square foot of the roof. Building codes apply on all roofing repair and replacement work so, over the long run, numerous repairs will end up being more costly than what can be expected with a full roof replacement project.

Consider what lies ahead and determine repairing the roof will be a long term or a short term. Will the roof problem be easily resolved with a quick fix, or will it require ongoing or repeated repairs? It’s a good idea to consult with a professional roofing contractor who can provide a detailed roof assessment that will give you a clear vision of the life expectancy of your roof. A qualified, expert roofing contractor will always help you in making a smart and cost-effective decision.

Sometimes home owners or business owners that lack expertise and complete information about their roof may be inclined to skip repairs and needlessly opt for complete roof replacement. They may think that they need a completely new roof and mistakenly replace it, when in fact it may be in good condition overall and may even still be covered under its original warranty. These kinds of mistakes can prove costly and wasteful.


If you want to make a decision about what's right for your roof, it’s better to gather as much information as possible. It’s good to examine the repair costs of the last several years and, if you find that there has been an increase in repair cost and frequency, then it’s probably the right time for roof replacement. Look for constant leak issues from light or heavy rain and if they are occasional they can be easily repaired but recurring roof leaks can’t be resolved with repairs and risk damage to the entire structure of the house or building.

Repair or replacement depends on the roof’s condition and a professional roofing contractor will provide you with best options. Skilled roofing contractors can very easily repair an old failing roof but, for many home or business owners, trying to avoid roof replacement with repeated repairs is simply avoiding the inevitable - and throwing away money that can and should be invested in the new roof that's needed.