One of the most fundamental elements of any structurally sound property is, of course, its roof. Yet, despite this obvious fact, few people give their roofs a second glance. They are then surprised when tiles fall off and smash on the ground or water starts leaking into the property.
The problem is that because the roof is difficult to reach or to see properly, it’s difficult to know exactly what condition it’s currently in, how it can be maintained, or whether it’s time for a replacement.
What’s more, the regularity of these checks should depend on numerous factors, such as the size of your property, the weather conditions of the area in which you live, and how easy it is to access the roof.
Once the condition of the roof has been assessed, you can begin making the decision between simply repairing whatever is damaged or aged, and replacing the whole structure.
This is what you need to know about whether you should invest in a new roof:
Consult a professional
The first step you need to take if you want to properly assess the current condition of your roof is to consult with a professional roofer. Thankfully, there are plenty of contractors specializing in roofing in Volusia county.
By calling out a contractor to take a closer look at your roof, you’ll instantly know exactly what condition it’s in, and what action you need to take (if any) to rectify any issues.
This also prevents you making a silly decision like climbing a ladder to check the condition of your roof yourself, which could easily result in a serious injury, especially if you’re not great with heights.
What are your local weather conditions like?
Another key factor to keep in mind when you’re assessing the condition of your roof is the local weather conditions. This will make a huge—if indirect—difference to how regularly you check on your roof, and whether you should work on it or not.
For instance, if you live in an area which is known to experience high winds on a regular basis then you’ll likely have tiles flying off from time to time. Similarly, if you encounter hailstones, harsh winters, or baking summers, then you might find that your roof deteriorates faster than it otherwise might.
What’s the cost of repair versus replacement?
Lastly, you should of course weigh up the difference in price between a roof repair and a roof replacement. Of course, the most likely scenario is that you won’t be able to debate between the two, because if you need a roof replacement, then it’s unlikely that a simple repair will suffice.
However, if your budget is tight and you simply need to replace a few tiles, then there’s no point ripping the entire roof up and starting again. It all comes down to whether the structure is strong, or whether it’s compromised beyond repair.