When homeowners think of the roof of their home they often do not realize the huge discrepancy between how they address issues of their roof and the cost of repairs to fix problems with the roof of homes. While 70% of homeowners have never had a full roof inspection done professionally, roofing problems affect over 14 Billion dollars worth of damage to homes each year.
Emergency repair versus planned maintenance
If left un-repaired, that same leak could cause severe damage to the underlayment and decking, leading to repair estimates of $2,000 to $3,500 or more. A critical factor in the cost of repair is whether the situation is an emergency repair, or if it has been treated through routine maintenance. Emergency repairs typically cost 3 to 5 times as much as a scheduled maintenance item. A minor leak around a penetration for example could cost anywhere from $300 to $500 for emergency repair, whereas the same leak could cost $2,000 to $3,500 to repair for severe damage to the underlayment and decking.
Often it seems as though a roof fails suddenly, yet in reality there are often several months or even years of warning signs prior to the failure. Loose shingles, granules from shingles falling off, small leaks around chimneys and skylights are all examples of potential problems. A reputable Baltimore roofing services provider can address these types of issues prior to them becoming major problems and cause expensive repairs. A quality roofer also has 24 hour emergency service to respond to those unexpected leaks in the middle of the night. Water doesn’t wait for normal business hours to cause damage.
Inspection services that actually matter
Regular annual roof inspections identify problems before they cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Most of our roofing inspection services include a complete written report that lists out every aspect of your homes roof, every fault and defect including photos to confirm the findings. Our roofing inspection report forms outline each component of the roofing system, listing out suspected deficiencies and recommended repairs.
It is very important to choose a quality roofing inspection service. A quality roofing inspection service will leave you with a detailed report that describes all of the problems found during the roof inspection. Pictures will be included to show the extent of the damage to the roofing materials. Each problem will be ranked as to how urgent the need for repair will be. The report will also explain the cause of the problem(s) found. When filing an insurance claim for roof damage, it is important to provide the insurance company with proof of previous maintenance to the roof. When selling a home with known roof problems, it is also very important to provide proof of previous maintenance to the roof. This will help to show the potential buyer that the repairs to the roof will not cost as much as they may think.
Complete roof replacement considerations
The point at which to replace a roof is often determined by the cost of repairs equaling 30% of the price of a full replacement of the same size roof. When figuring out the cost to replace a roof it is also important to factor in the size of the roof, as well as the current cost of the materials as well as the current going rate for labor in your local market. Also, it is wise to replace your roof before you reach this threshold in order to avoid an very expensive emergency repair down the road.
Timing is everything when it comes to replacement of your home’s roof. Planning for the needed repairs before they become an emergency will save you a lot of time and money. As mentioned earlier, most roofing systems are designed to last 20 to 30 years, depending on the material. Planning for needed replacement 5 years or so prior will allow time for saving and researching needed repairs. Some roofing materials are more cost effective than others over time. A great example of this are asphalt shingle roofs, which are typically the lowest cost for installation of a new roof. However, as with many things in life, you get what you pay for. Most asphalt shingle roofs must be replaced 15-30 years after installation, whereas a metal or tile roof can last 30 to 50 years. As you can see, while the initial cost to install a metal or tile roof may be more, it will save you money in the long run due to not having to replace as often. When trying to decide on a material for a new roof on your home, it is imperative to consider the cost of the material over time, or the cost of ownership. This will help to give you a better understanding of which type of material to use for a long-lasting and cost effective roof.
Specialized repair work
Typically, there are parts of the roof that will require specialized repair and are outside of the scope of most general contractors. For example, flashing around chimneys is generally the worst part of the roof and typically requires a specialized roofer.
In many cases, repairs to your roofing require the expertise of a roofing specialist or roofer. The repair of flashing is a particular case in point. Even the best maintained flashing can develop leaks over time, as the seams of flashing can deteriorate. In these cases, it is generally not enough to hire a general contractor who is unfamiliar with the installation of roofing flashing and how to repair it. In some cases, you may even require the services of a roofer who specializes in repair work for certain types of roofs.
Maintaining your gutters and downspout drainage system is equally as important as you spend on your home’s exterior. If you were to spend money to repair or replace parts of your roof, you would expect to receive a return on your investment and have the same repairs to last for many years. That same return on investment and extended life can be received from properly maintained gutters and downspout drainage system. In addition, any work performed on exterior related systems to your home are typically covered under your roofing warranty as well as under your property damage policy for hurricanes and windstorms.
Weather damage assessment and repair
There are many things to take into consideration when it comes to assessing roof damage and filing an insurance claim for the repairs. A professional roofing contractor that deals with insurance claims has knowledge of what the adjusters for insurance companies are looking for in documentation of roof damage.
After a severe storm it can be hard to tell whether your home’s roof was damaged. There are times when damage is obvious and other times when it appears as though no damage was done. Although in some cases seemingly minor damage to your roof may not cause a problem, in most cases minor problems can cause serious problems in the future. In many cases shingles can be lifted from your roof in high winds. Many homeowners believe that if a shingle is lifted that it has failed completely. That is not always the case. Even if a shingle appears to be in good shape after it has been lifted the adhesive strip on the back of the shingle can have been torn. This can cause problems for your home in the future as the lifted shingle will no longer be able to protect your home from the elements. Hail can also cause serious problems to your roof. Even if the hail appears to have hit your home in a light manner, granule loss and even micro-fractures in the shingles can occur. These problems can cause the shingles on your roof to deteriorate at a rapid pace. When it is time to file an insurance claim for damage to your roof, it is often best to have a professional to inspect the damage and to provide documentation for the insurance company.
Understanding maintenance programs
By entering into a scheduled maintenance program, homeowners can extend the life of your roof by several years in addition to lowering the repair costs of any repairs that are needed. These programs typically include the following services: Bi-annual inspections of the roof Cleanings of gutters and downspouts as needed Minor repairs as needed Priority scheduling of larger repair jobs These types of programs are best for homeowners who like to budget out the costs of repairs for their home over the course of a year. Maintenance contracts ensure that any small problems with a roof are addressed before they become bigger, more expensive problems.
There are many benefits to a homeowner who enters into a scheduled maintenance program for their roof. The biggest benefit is that scheduled maintenance extends the life of your roof. It also helps to prevent unexpected repairs to your roof. By scheduling regular maintenance to your roof it will be maintained to its very best. A good scheduled maintenance program will include a record of detailed reports of all work that has been carried out on your roof. These reports will include complete photographs of all work that was done. These reports will be very useful for any future warranty claims on your roof. They will also be very valuable when selling a property. They will prove to a potential buyer that the previous homeowner was someone who took great care in maintaining their property.
A homeowner should have an understanding of all of the different services a roofer can offer and how they can all work together to help a homeowner have the best outcome for repairs and maintenance and to help them to make the best financial decisions for their specific needs.
