7 Things To Know Before Replacing Your Roof

We don’t like thinking about it but as a homeowner, we will eventually face the fact that our roof will need replacing. When it does happen, it helps that we’re prepared with what we’ll have to deal with.

Roof replacement requires a lot of time, effort, and money and every help we can get towards completing it successfully helps. Below are some things you need to be thinking about before getting your roof replaced.

Things to think about before replacing your roof

1. Whether to replace or to repair the roof

There are times when you experience a leaky roof and immediately jump to the conclusion that you need to replace it. Other times, you see some damage on the roof and think simply replacing it would be enough.

The line between replacing and repairing isn’t always clear but there are certain signs. And we will list them below.

  • If the roof has a large area of damage then you need to replace it.
  • If a problem keeps recurring over and over again, then it’s time to replace the roof.
  • Also, if there is moisture trapped in the roof causing moss and algae to form , then it’s time for a new roof.
  • If the roof is sagging, then you have to think about replacing it.

2. Materials

The roof you may have now might have served its purpose for many years, often a few decades. In that time to this day, advances in technology have allowed the rise of new roofing materials that are more durable, easy to install, and affordable.

Consider checking out possible alternative materials when you’re considering having your roof replaced. Modern roof materials include; metal roofing, asphalt shingles and single-ply membranes.

Newer materials might cost a little more than the traditional shingle and asphalt but they are more beneficial. This is because modern roofs are water resistant and also made of fire proof materials. This makes them last longer and they look more beautiful too.

source: decoraid.com

3. To strip or to layer

If the roof you have used asphalt shingles, there are some options you can take when it comes to re-roofing. It’s always possible to add another layer of shingles on top of the existing ones.

Going with this process is a lot more cost-effective but it can only be done once. If you live in a place that’s prone to strong winds, you should strip the old roof before adding a new one.

4. Noise

Re-roofing is a noisy business. With all the stripping and scraping of the old roof that contractors have to do before adding a new roof, you might want to warn your neighbors before proceeding, especially those adjacent to your house.

If you have small children and pets at home that are prone to ear damage, you might want to consider spending time away during this noisy stage.

5. Installation

According to roofers, it is important to understand the roof installation process before getting in touch with a roofing company. This is because, there are many decisions that need to be agreed on before work can commence.

This includes; whether to strip or layer, the kind of roofing materials to be used and mode of payment. So it is important that homeowners spend time looking for the right roofing company to partner with that can address their needs.

source: homify.com.ar

6. Have a contract

A roof replacement is going to be a major job, just like getting a house built or doing a renovation. Make sure that there is a written agreement or contract that states all that the customer and contractor have agreed upon.

The contract needs to state the materials used, including colours, the area to be worked on, and the timeline of the job. You should also include the cost of the job as well as how payment is going to be made.

7. Aftercare

Most people fail to think about the clean up after a major construction job. In most cases, they delegate the job to the contractor. But contractors simply hire labourers to handle the job and often these workers don’t pay close attention to the small and minute details of the cleanup.

Homeowners can always take on the cleanup job. Doing so might even save them a couple of bucks. Should they choose to let the contractor handle it, it should be explicitly stated in the contract so it’s put on the priority list.

The main takeaway when it comes to roof replacement is preparation and knowledge. Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions, to friends, experts, and contractors. The more knowledge you have about the process, the more prepared you will be when facing hurdles along the way.

SEE ALSO: 
HOW TO CHOOSE SUITABLE ROOF FOR YOUR HOME
5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING ROOFING SERVICES
5 ECO-FRIENDLY ROOF OPTIONS FOR LOW BUDGET
5 ROOF REPAIR TIPS FOR FIXING A ROOFING COMPANY

Author Bio: Sarah Brooks is an ardent blogger who loves to write about home improvement, remodeling, restoration, and repair. She is currently working with Weathertight Roofing, one of the best Boise roofers, which offers exceptional roofing services for both residential and commercial properties.

4 Comments

  1. June 30, 2020 / 11:59 pm

    My wife and I have considered getting an exterior house renovation done after we completed most of our interior remodels and we want to plan it out just as good as the previous jobs. I really appreciate your tip of finding ways to avoid the noise or inform the neighbors of the noisy roof replacement job because we have some elderly neighbors that we’ve become really good friends with and so we wouldn’t want to disturb them with our noisy plans. Once we find out a good plan to make sure our neighbors aren’t disturbed, we’ll be sure to find a good roofing contractor to carry out the roof replacement. Thank you for the article!

  2. March 29, 2021 / 5:52 am

    Thanks for pointing out that proper cleaning after a roof repair service would be very important in keeping the roof in good condition. I’m thinking about getting new shingles for my roof but that’s when I discovered a few leaks on it. It would be apparent that repairs should be prioritized first before getting the new shingles installed.

  3. March 31, 2022 / 4:05 pm

    Wow, it’s great that you elaborated on replacing your house’s roof and how materials have improved over the past years. Last week, I visited my parents and talked about how their house needs some improvements. I believe my parent’s home might even need a new roof, so I’ll be sure to talk to my brother about it. Thank you so much for the advice on new roofing materials and how they come with better durability.

  4. November 15, 2023 / 4:33 am

    The noise of re-roofing is indeed something that I should try and prepare for. I feel like this is something that we should find a way to get done without interrupting the neighborhood, so I should try and inform everyone first. I’ll do that before I look for a roofing replacement expert that can help us prepare for the snowy season.

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